Disorderly conduct: The new crystals put bling on its edge.

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Disorderly conduct: The new crystals put bling on its edge.

Glitz got roughed up and it looks fabulous

When you are looking for a modern detail to update your look, think about a clustered blast of raw, haphazard crystals. The new bling has a gritty, offhanded elegance reminiscent of rock candy or shattered glass.

What’s modern is not the cheap trick sparkly bling many of us associate with pavé phone cases, cloyingly cute crystal encrusted novelty doodads, or glittering from a too tight T-shirt. Crystals now have an irregularity to them that looks fresh.

SHOP: Swavorski Crystallized online

“It’s interesting, when I think of encrusted crystal, I think of Paris Hilton’s Sidekick. It’s a frosty crystal that has been so cheapened as it hit the mass market in a huge way. What’s right now is a crystal collage with a raw elegance to it,” says Christina Mannatt, Associate Cultural Editor at Stylesight, where they describe the trend as Crystal Castles. Even the precisely and orderly placed crystal elegance associated with Judith Leiber is a bit passé at the moment.

The crystal trench at Burberry. Photo: Burberry

"Whether adhered to nude chiffon or dangling from chunky platforms, crystal pendants go above and beyond your typical jewel-encrusted goods.” Mannatt references Miuccia Prada’s bedazzled fascination at both Miu Miu and Prada with head-to-toe chandelier-style gems. At Prada, almost literal chandelier crystals decorated clear plastic chunky platforms. It’s a delicate balance, Mannatt warns– if they were not Prada it could be perceived as stripper shoes.

>> Sparkley Shopping

Miu Miu reached it’s very sexy balance by combining sheer nude with crystals to give the feeling of body jewelry, offset with pieces crisp shirt sleeves and collars. At Mila Schon, nude tights were iced-out with crystal clusters that pay homage to a body jewelry tattoo.

Burberry Prosum showed one of my favorite crystal collages with both a mini trench coat and jacket that look as if the model rolled around in a bed of rock candy and walked off with one of the most brilliant and chic takes on this very glam look.

For a lighter touch, Mannatt suggests crystal jewelry by Tom Binns and Erickson Beamon.

The Crystal Castles trend photo gallery:

_{(click on photo to enlarge and slide show)}

Miu Miu shoes.

Burberry

Prada*

Burberry

Miu Miu

Prada

Mila Schon

Miu Miu

_{Photos: Stylesight}

_{Burberry photos: Burberry}

Published on January 27, 2010

Sharon Haver

Resident fashion expert- With just about 20 years experience in the glamour industry as a New York-based photography fashion stylist, syndicated columnist, contributing editor, lecturer, on-air television/radio fashion expert, and founder / editor in chief of FocusOnStyle.com. Sharon Haver knows the modern-thinking woman wants easygoing style that suits her individual needs, spiced with just the right amount of flip and wit to make it personal.

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Tags: bling , body jewelry , Burberry , Burberry Prosum , Christina Mannatt , crystal , crystal collage , crystals , Erickson Beamon , glitz , Mila Schon , Miu Miu , Prada , stylesight , Tom Binns