Bedecked
Coco Chanel once said, “Take one thing off before leaving the house.” If the fashion icon were alive today, however, we suspect the rule would be revised to instead add an accessory to your ensemble before walking out the door.
“The (accessories) awareness is heightening,” said Sandra Wilson, accessories director of Neiman Marcus. “People realize the emotional lift you get from a handbag.” Or a Stephen Dweck cuff, or a Chloë ankle bootie, or a Fendi oversized clutch. The list of powerful add-ons is endless.
Publishing companies have apparently caught on to the trend, too. Not only do women’s magazines devote copious pages to accessories in different themes and color schemes, but at least one glossy devours the subject cover-to-cover: Elle Accessories. Add bauble-bewitched celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe to the picture and you have a fashion culture that shuns the undecorated.
“Runways used to never have accessories,” Wilson said. “Now they never go without them.”
If the world of accessories still has you intimidated with the voice of Coco echoing in your head, consider these tips.
• Pop culture: During a season when one of the most dismal colors in existence, gray, enjoys “It” status, your accessories should pop with vibrancy. Wilson favors anything in hot pink and notes that accessorizing begins with the underwear drawer. “If I’m going to wear a gray Chloë dress, why don’t I start with a hot pink lace thong?” she asked.
• Jekyll and Hyde: Your accessories will all depend on one thing: “Are you more Jil Sander or Versace?” Wilson asked. The former will mean understated pieces such as a crocodile leather Prada clutch and Yves Saint Laurent sunglasses. The latter will lean toward a striped Christian Louboutin ankle boot and patent leather Miu Miu bag.
• Switch it up: Anyone can wear patent leather. Embossed, ombre, degrade, metallicized — one of these textures will appeal to you. This trend isn’t going anywhere, so choose one and go with it.
• Copy cat: Want the hottest trend that’s yet to be a trend? Look to the fashion editors because they’ll be wearing it. Right now, the coveted item among editrixes: Valentino’s Nuage bag, $1,195, Neiman Marcus. The oversized, black patent leather bag with a signature Valentino bow couples naughty and nice.
• Rebel with a cause: “There are no (accessories) rules,” Wilson said. “What’s satisfying to my eye could be totally out of place in someone else’s point of view.”
• Double the pleasure: When a trend such as cuffs come on the scene, one simply won’t do. Wilson recommends one on each wrist and, to kill two accessory trends with one stone, put them atop a pair of elbow-length gloves for real panache.
• Meow: “One cat never sleeps — the leopard,” Wilson said. Although animal prints come and go, this pattern has managed to hang on for several years. If you’re new to the trend, warm up to it with a scarf or ballet flats. Veterans can go full force with oversized handbags or trapeze coats bedecked in the print.
• Forecast: The next big thing, according to Wilson, comes in the shape of open-toe shoes with closed front ties. Expect to fawn over them once the resort collections make their way to department stores.
Contact fashion reporter Xazmin Garza at xgarza@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0477.
