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It's time to go retro with a wristwatch that fits your personal style

By: Connie Tamoto

Posted: 09/1/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

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Storm suede cuff watch, $110. (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

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Sterling silver Shablool watch with opals, $450. (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

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Green Tokyo Bay woven strap watch, $115, and Orange leather Tokyo Bay watch, $95. All timepieces from Silver Lotus, 103 Osborne St. (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

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WAYNE GLOWACKI/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Gold costume watch, $35.

I can remember a time, not so long ago, that I would never think of leaving the house without a watch adorning my wrist.

I had a sporty watch I wore with my gym clothes, a funky watch to wear with my urban street outfits, two dress watches for work and, of course, a playful Hello Kitty watch just for fun.

Never a window-shopping outing went by when I didn't stop to gaze at the new timepieces mixed among the other fabulous jewelry items on display in the glistening glass cases at my favourite boutiques.

I hate to admit this, but those days are long gone for this girl. Nowadays, I just dig into my purse for my smartphone when I want to know the time, or glance up at the right-hand corner of my laptop screen.

That said, I think it may be high time I made a change to the way I tell time -- no pun intended.

Lately I've been noticing more and more trendy 20-somethings sporting fantastic watches and it really made me stop and take note. I had all but forgotten that a watch is more than just functional, it's fashionable.

There are so many different styles of watches to choose from, each with its own statement-making charm. A watch is just as much an eye-catching accessory as a long sparkly pendant, bauble or bangle.

You have the sporty street styles that come in vibrant, bold hues that remind me of shiny gumballs, funky urban styles with sleek, wide leather cuffs and streamlined rectangular faces, and pieces of polished fine jewelry that can easily be classified as wearable art for the wrist.

There are also fashion elements in the strap and face detailing, such as brass stud embellishments, leather weaving, printed backgrounds and metallic accents.

And then there are those classic styles that seem to never go out of style -- even though we might need to be reminded of that every now and then -- such as the classic metal link watch, which gets a 2012 modern-day twist in chunky gold.

So leave the smartphone in your tote (we depend on them far too much for social interaction anyway) and dig out those wristwatches of yore, or treat yourself to something new. Fashion over function, I say!

Got a suggestion for a future column or a fashion trend worth following? Email Connie Tamoto at

connietamotofashion@hotmail.com.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 1, 2012 e10

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