DENIM AND DIAMONDS: How to combine casual with bling?

DENIM AND DIAMONDS: How to combine casual with bling?

CORNWALL, Ontario – Denim and Diamonds, an annual fundraiser for the Cornwall Community Hospital Foundation, is all about being fashionable, while also remaining comfortable.

We’ve all been to formal events that require a black tie and long evening gowns, not to mention a healthy dose of bling.

Denim and Diamonds has taken the best of both worlds, and allows patrons to remain comfortable in a pair of jeans or a denim shirt, while also frosting themselves with some classy-looking jewelry.

But how does one combine the two? Seaway News’ resident Fashionista Todd Lihou sat down with Lisa Coleman, CEO of Rent frock Repeat and Annie Cooper, diamond specialist at Pommier Jewellers, to find out how to pull off a great look at Denim and Diamonds.

FASHIONISTA:

How do you combine denim, something people associate with the weekend and cut-off shorts, with diamonds, something you associate with dressing up for a formal event?

LISA:

“It’s something we see in every day fashion. People do sort of a dress-down, but then throw on some heels and some really fun jewelry with it.

We love the combination of doing something less feminine but then grounding it with some jean material. Whether it’s a denim shirt or jeans, it’s part of any everyday fashion world.”

ANNIE:

“Diamonds can be worn in a casual way – sometimes it depends on the length of the necklace or how you wear the bracelet.

You should not overdo it with chandelier earrings and a traditional diamond necklace – do one or the other.”

FASHIONISTA:

If you’re going to this event for the first time, how should you approach your look and prepare?

LISA:

“If it’s a first event…Google and see the pictures from year before. It’s a great place to start. Chances are you will get a glimpse into what people are doing.”

ANNIE:

“I think going with your own sense of style and what you’re comfortable with wearing. With jewelry you can’t really go wrong. As long as you don’t go all-in. If you’re going to do something chunky, don’t do chunky earrings and a chunky necklace. Mix it up a little bit. Take a few little elements from each category.

If you’re going to layer your bracelet, don’t layer your necklace too.”

FASHIONISTA:

Should you be looking to get something brand new, or will a more casual look suffice?

LISA:

“You can do something that is straight out of the closet. That’s what is great about this event. When someone has an event to go to the first thing they wonder is ‘What am I going to wear?’ And the great thing they have done with this event is making it all about showing up in the jeans you had last year but dressing it up with something fun like a new blouse or a piece of jewelry. Anything goes…and that’s why so many people keep coming out every year.”

ANNIE:

“If you haven’t updated your wardrobe in a while you probably have very traditional pieces so, of course you still want to be able to wear it. So choose one of your traditional pieces…and add something more casual to wear to maybe dress down your formal piece.”

Denim and Diamonds, to benefit the construction of a new mental health wing at the Cornwall Community Hospital, goes June 11 at 6 p.m. at the Nav Centre.

Tickets can be purchased at Scotiabank on Brookdale, at the Cornwall Community Hospital Foundation Office (first floor of hospital near Tim Hortons), online at cornwallhospitalfoundation.ca or by calling (613) 930-4508.

In partnership with Pommier Jewellers, Cornwall Community Hospital Foundation will run a raffle for a diamond ring valued at $5,200. The ring’s winner will be drawn at Denim and Diamonds event on June 11, but tickets for this diamond can be purchased by anyone starting on June 1. It will be $10 for one ticket and $20 for three. Diamond ring tickets will be sold at the Cornwall Community Foundation Office and at Pommier Jewellers.

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