For Francophiles, nature lovers, and everyone in between, these earrings speak (some very stylish) volumes about who you are.

Our Add On the Extras: Statement-Making Earrings Boutique opens Tuesday, February 26, at 11AM.

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When it comes to luxe extras, this designer has the magic touch. From her structured satchels to her calf hair loafers, Elaine Turner churns out the investment accessories every ensemble (from jeans and a tee to LBDs) can benefit from. Here, we caught up with the handbag guru to talk must-have add-ons and festive dressing.

Rue La La: Your line is incredible. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Elaine: I’m always inspired by exotic destinations and locales and my collection has a real global spirit. This season is a little closer to home and inspired by Ali MacGraw and Wellesley and Cambridge. The collection is about strong shapes, structure, and that feminine meets masculine feel.

Rue La La: If you had to describe the Elaine Turner style in three words, what would they be?
Elaine: Feminine. Glamorous. Classic.

Rue La La: Your label has grown so much since first launching in 2000. How do you see it evolving over the next few years?
Elaine: The collection is going to become more comprehensive as we grow and round out the lifestyle accessories brand to include jewelry, sunglasses, and fragrance.

Rue La La: Who is the quintessential Elaine Turner woman?
Elaine: She is a woman on the go and aware of who she is. She’s well-traveled, well-read, and an influencer. She’s not driven by labels, but by her own unique fashion sense and she’s cross-generational.

Rue La La: What’s one accessory no woman should go without?
Elaine: What every woman needs is a classic black envelope clutch.

Rue La La: The holidays are just around the corner – what’s the best way to accessorize an LBD to make it ready for festive parties?
Elaine: Pop that little black dress with a clutch in an unexpected color like cobalt or fuchsia.

Our Elaine Turner Shoes & Handbags Boutique opens Thursday, November 8, at 11AM ET.

By Keriann Coffey, Associate Blog Editor

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If you ask me, when it comes to what types of necklaces go best with each neckline, I say – almost anything goes. High crewneck? Layer on the long beads. Plunging V-neck? Show it off with a sparkly number that hits right at the collar bone.

Bear in mind that with accessory freedom, comes great responsibility to avoid fashion no nos. These cardinal rules may be few, but they are the difference between genius pairings and accidental appearances on the “don’t” pages of a tabloid.

The Rules:

Don’ts

1. The choker had its time (circa 1996), but it has since taken the backseat in today’s wardrobe. As a general rule, I say stay away, but if you’re working with a deep V neckline, I say lock it in a vault and sink it in the ocean. Deep necklines and chokers don’t mix.
2. Make sure your necklace ends ½-1 inch above the beginning of your neckline (this doesn’t apply to long necklaces, of course). Partially covered jewels can look sloppy.
3. If you’re petite, avoid long necklaces if possible. They tend to accentuate your short stature. If you’re like me and simply must wear them, make sure you layer them with lots of different lengths to pull the eye up.

Dos

1. A classic word of advice: mimic your neckline with your necklace. This is always a fail-proof way to complement your neck, no matter how much (or how little) you’re trying to show.
2. Save your most statement-making neck candy for simple necklines, be it a crewneck or strapless. I’m partial to keeping the top neutral so my necklace is the real focal point, but play with different patterns to find your favorite combo.
3. Double up. Triple up. Quadruple up. Seriously, one is never enough in my opinion.

By Abigail Kuzia, Editor

What are your necklace-pairing tips? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.

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Elaine Turner is turning 10. And what a decade it’s been. We sat down for a one-on-one chat with the designer who always knows how to make resort wear uber chic. Read our interview as Elaine dishes on the past decade, her hopes for the future, and how one little flowerpot-top handle bag started it all.

Rue La La: Who and what have been some of your biggest influences over the past decade?
Elaine: I am influenced by many things - seaside destinations, modern art, architecture, and interior design. Over the past decade I have been primarily influenced by iconic fashion and interior designers - Kelly Wearstler, Jonathan Adler, Diane Von Furstenberg, Trina Turk, and Milly - to name a few.

Rue La La: What inspires you?
Elaine: Bold colors, graphic prints, unexpected combinations of materials, and also the glamour, modernism, and nostalgia of the mid-century time period of the late 1950s and 60s.

Rue La La: Do you still love something you made in 2000 as much as you do today?
Elaine: Yes! Two of my favorite bags were the “Jackie” and “Maria” tote - both were raffia bags with hard tortoise handles that I’d still sport today.

Rue La La: What are some of your favorite pieces from the past decade?
Elaine: In 2005, we designed an assortment of envelope clutches and to this day our “Alice” clutch is one of my favorites. Another is our reinterpretation of the renowned “Kelly” bag.

Rue La La: And what are you hung up on from your current collection?
Elaine: I love the beach-chic style of our “Sandy” tote. She is great for travel or sitting by the pool. Olivia is also a personal favorite. She is a glamorous cross-body that is perfect for a woman on the go!

Rue La La: How are you going to celebrate your 10-year mark?
Elaine: We are commemorating this event by launching an “Elaine Turner Vintage” capsule collection this fall. We are bringing back two iconic Elaine Turner handbags: the “Pamela” tote and the “Alexandra” clutch. Both were integral to our success.

Rue La La: Every decade has its signature trends. Your highlights from this past decade?
Elaine: The return of 80’s glam, the evolution of the jeans business and watching jeans become a true fashion statement, the revival of the ballet flat, looser and more casual dressing, the statement necklace, colorful accessories, the oversized handbag, booties, gladiator sandals, stilettos - it’s endless!

Rue La La: Share a favorite red carpet fashion moment from this decade.
Elaine: When Reese Witherspoon wore the short, yellow cocktail dress that Nina Ricci designed to the Golden Globes in 2007. Fresh, sophisticated, and sexy all in one. Fabulous!

Rue La La: What were you wearing 10 years ago that still stands the test of time?
Elaine: Pencil skirts, fitted jackets, and crisp white shirts.

Rue La La: How about something you wore then that you wouldn’t wear today?
Elaine: Pantyhose!

Black and white are my personal staples. As a New York City girl, black has always been part of my uniform (for work and play). If you were to take a peek inside my closet, these two colors would stand out more than any other. They’re an integral part of history (books have been written about the legendary chicness of Truman Capote’s 1966 Black & White Ball), and fashion right now (I adored the first ten looks at Riccardo Tisci’s spring 2010 Givenchy show). But it’s the cool combinations and unique twists you can give these shades that really bring them to life and make them feel modern.

Cut is everything
Black and white are two of the most versatile colors. They always look crisp, and can easily go from fancy (the classic LBD) to laid-back (white oversize tee paired with basic black mini). With simple pieces, it’s all about the cut. Select well-tailored pieces to pair back with more relaxed (yet still refined) separates. A perfectly cut white button-down can completely elevate the look of your favorite jeans.

Add-ons are key
My advice for adding your own twist to stark black and white: Accessories! Pile on your favorite bold necklaces and bracelets to make the look feel wholly your own. I love to layer long necklaces with shorter charms for a personal touch. And, to off-set the starkness of black and white, I’ll throw on my Mom’s old red Chanel bag for a pop of color.

Keep it current
Graphic black and white prints – from stripes to tribal – looked modern on the spring 2010 runways. Givenchy’s fitted blazers and voluminous minis are on the top of my list. Also on my must-have list: Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCullough’s chic surfer girl looks at Proenza Schouler. I’m loving the pieces I hand-picked for the ELLE Black & White Boutique (the Valentino lace blouses are among my favorites) because they’re all un-basic basics - essentials with a twist that add a bit of freshness to your closet.

From fashion legends like Coco Chanel to current muses (remember Melanie Laurent in a sleek white Yves Saint Laurent pantsuit on the red carpet in Cannes last year?), the limited palette of black and white has the ability to achieve unlimited chic.

Spring is here (or at least en route, depending on your degree of optimism), and the easiest way to dive in is with new accessories. Here’s how to pluck ideas from the runways of New York and Milan and make them yours:

Floral Print Shoes
Nothing screams spring louder than floral prints, and I saw them all over the runways this year. Floral shoes can feminize denim, which is a definite trend for spring - from a light denim mini to marble wash jeans. An airy chiffon tunic or a ruffle top completes the look. Just avoid competing flower prints. Although print mixing looks right this season, double flower power can be overkill.

Scarves
From bold and bright to funky designs, scarves are absolutely fabulous this year and I’m thrilled to see them back in the spotlight!  This is a great way for those who aren’t comfortable with bold colors and funky designs to incorporate them into their wardrobe.  Pale and neutral colors are on the fashion scene, and a neutral scarf can add texture, or a contrasting scarf can add kick. This is also a trend men can play with - try pairing a simple scarf in an airy knit with a solid T and denim.

Stacked Bangles
If you don’t go trendy with anything else, you can definitely go there with jewelry. This spring’s thing?  Stacked bangles in all colors and sizes, be it funky and chunky to slim and chic. From beaded to metal and even plastic, have fun and show off your personality! Play with stacking, mixing different sizes. Get some in tribal patterns – also a theme in many runway shows. Just don’t stack higher than mid forearm – it’s uncomfortable, and you’ll look over-accessorized.

Layered Necklaces
This trend since fall is still charging forward. Upgrade your casual tank and shorts with varying strands of silver and pendants. Complement a high-neck ruffle blouse with a layered, beaded necklace. 

The key to all of this is creativity and balance - have fun and play with what feels right. So tell us, what are your favorite spring accessories, and how are you wearing them?