Forget the old fashion rules, it’s time to embrace one of the chicest color combinations out there: black and navy blue. Sure, it may sound like a painful bruise, but the two hues together are actually quite easy on the eyes. Club Monaco’s new Jen clutch is covered entirely in sequins, half with shiny jet-black paillettes and half with smaller dark-blue discs. The folded envelope shape is comfortable to carry and holds quite a bit more than the average evening bag. Wear this sparkly clutch with a simple black dress for a glamorous and unexpected nighttime look.

Jen Beaded Clutch, $99 at Club Monaco, 160 Fifth Ave., at 21st St.; 212-352-0936

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Filed Under: best bets, accessories, club monaco, handbags

Several dazzling new jewels arrived at Anthropologie this month, sparking our desire for all things festive and sparkly. Nicole Miller’s Band of Baubles bracelet is our top pick, however, with its chic mixed metals and sturdy magnetic clasp. The flexible mesh cuff lies comfortably on the arm, while the bronze discs and clear glass beads dangle in dense clusters. The bracelet’s antique-inspired look and light-catching gems will be sure to add a hit of glamour to any outfit. Plus, the magnetized closure ensures that this little piece will easily snap on and off the wrist, no fiddling required.

Band of Bauble bracelet by Nicole Miller, $58 at Anthropologie, in stores and online.

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Filed Under: best bets, anthropologie, jewelry

Maryam Nassir Zadeh

Maryam Nassir Zadeh’s Norfolk Street store feels more like an airy installation space than your average crammed Lower East Side boutique. Metal rolling racks showcase unique pieces of clothing and well-placed accessory displays highlight the shop’s impressive jewelry collection. The owners, Maryam and partner Uday Kak, hail from Iran and India, respectively, and their eclectic tastes are nicely represented in the variety of designers they carry. In addition to industry favorites such as Vena Cava and Isabel Marant, the store sells plenty of newcomers like All for the Mountain and Electric Feathers. We sat down with Maryam in her year-old space to discuss the importance of lipstick, her store’s bohemian vibe, and a few items on her holiday wish list.

What is the concept behind your store?
The concept behind the store is lifestyle. It’s a mixture of all elements: fashion, art, interiors, ideas, music, and events. We wanted to develop a space that was not only fashion, but also everything that surrounds a person. I’ve been designing clothing and textiles since 2001 and Uday has a background in art direction and graphic design. We wanted to share our aesthetic and inspire people, and bring together a community of artists and designers.

How do you decide what to stock?
We know what we’re interested in and attracted to, and we research labels. We follow our instinct.

What is the aesthetic you’re striving for?
Our look is natural, modern, relaxed, and experimental.

Describe your favorite piece in stock right now.
A woodblock printed dress by Pelican Ave.

Who are some of your favorite designers?
Prada, Miu Miu, and Marni were favorites growing up and now I love Hermès, Dries Van Noten, and YSL.

Who are your style icons?
Jane Birkin, Isabella Rossellini, Camille Bidault Waddington, and Georgia O’Keeffe.

Do certain designers capture your personal style?
My style is “classic artistic.” I wear vintage, Isabel Marant, Electric Feathers, and Rachel Comey. Uday’s style is “disheveled preppy.” He wears Acne, Costume National, and Dieppa Restrepo.

Which other stores do you frequent?
Assembly New York, No. 6, and Narnia.

What’s on your holiday wish list?
A cashmere charcoal-grey scarf by Faliero Sarti and all of Time Bandit’s
most recent jewelry collection.

What’s something every woman should have in her closet?
Vintage.

Finish this sentence: I never leave the house without …
My makeup pouch. I love wearing lipstick and I would feel naked all day without it.

Maryam Nassir Zadeh, 123 Norfolk St., nr. Rivington St.; 212-673-6405.

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Filed Under: tastemakers, maryam nassir zadeh

Rushing from work to a party can leave little time for outfit changes and primping, but a good dress is the best way to simplify the process. Secrets of Charm, a line of feminine, fifties-inspired pieces, has designed a line of perfect day-to-night dresses for Steven Alan. The Lila dress, a sweet silk mini with cap sleeves and a smocked waist, comes in two playful prints, as well as a solid navy blue. Easily dressed up with heels and some jewelry, the dress features two large pockets at the hip, ideal for stashing lipstick and some cash. The label, named for a book about poise and etiquette, does, indeed, hold the secrets to charming style.

Secrets of Charm for SA Lila Dress, $250 at Steven Alan, 103 Franklin St., nr. Church St.; 212-343-0692 or at stevenalan.com.

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Filed Under: best bets, steven alan

Jacobs by Marc Jacobs has just released several new accessories — just in time for last-minute holiday shopping. Our favorite style is the Zip Necklace, a lightweight collar made from a strand of tiny zippers. The cool piece, which comes in gold, silver, gunmetal, and a multicolored variety, gives a nod to the designer’s quirky, punk-inspired roots. With an adjustable clasp and a unique, whimsical look, these little necklaces will inject a hefty dose of style into any outfit.

Zip Necklace, $13 at Marc by Marc Jacobs Accessories, 385 Bleecker St., nr. Perry St.; 212-924-6126.

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Filed Under: best bets, jacobs by marc jacobs, marc jacobs