Make a Statement

July 26, 2012

What do these women have in common?

Clockwise from Top Left: Debra Lee, CEO of BET; Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State; Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo; Madeleine Albright, Former Secretary of State; Andrea Jung, Former CEO of Avon; Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States.

Besides having earned some of the highest achievements in the worlds of politics and business, each of these women is rocking a fabulous accessory. Statement pieces, if you will. That article that gives what would otherwise be a fairly routine business look just a little more oomph…an item that makes a stranger stop her and say, “I just love that necklace/scarf/brooch….” Indeed, in discussing her book Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box President Clinton’s Secretary of State Madeleine Albright revealed that apparel often proved as a starting point for political negotiations: “You think that the heads of state only have serious conversations, [but] they actually often begin really with the weather or, ‘I really like your tie.’”

I love to use statement pieces to help bring a bit of self-expression to what would otherwise be a tame business outfit. PespiCo CEO Indra Nooyi seems to have mastered this as she works stylish elements from her native India into her corporate looks.

Now, just what IS a statment piece? I really like this definition provided by Angie over at YouLookFab.com:

I think of statement pieces as interesting, attractive and relatively eye-catching wardrobe items that reflect your personality. They are usually quite bold and unique, but not necessarily brightly coloured and oversized. They are often, but not always, the thing people notice first about your outfit. Sometimes they become items that people associate with your signature style.

Sounds great to me! Unsure of how to rock a statement jewelry piece? Check out this great tutorial from Jeannie Mai. All set? Here are a few great pieces to get you started . . . .