Accessories: loved and feared, cherished and dreaded. The ability to render any outfit a zero or a 10. The ability to make you look 2007 or 1997. The ability to appear clean and chic or more overly decorated than a Christmas tree. Today, I'll let you know what the hottest trends in accessories are this season and, of course, how to wear them.
One of the biggest - and hardest to pull off - trends this season is belts worn anywhere but in your belt loops. The belted-waist trend began (well, at least this time around) on the runways for Spring/Summer 2006, with Fendi's thick, patent-leather version setting the standard.
Celebrities began truly embracing the trend this summer, however, after belted waists were at nearly every Fall/Winter 2007 runway show (fashion shows take place about six months before the season actually starts). The stars took the trend a step further by wearing belts at the waist, right under the bust or, in daring Sienna Miller's case, over the bust.
The belt trend is a bit trickier than it seems because a belt that fits you where it's supposed to - your hips - is going to be too big for your waist. You can go out and buy a smaller belt, but I've found two awesome tricks to bypass this issue.
Firstly, Marc by Marc Jacobs on Newbury has fun, 80s-inspired sparkly belts in tons of colors that are stretchy and, therefore, one size fits all. The best part? They're only $3! The second solution I've discovered is to take a plain, solid-colored, elasticized headband, like the Goody ones from CVS, and slip it on over your head. Voila - instant waist belt!
The ideal body type for the belt trend is, not surprisingly, waif-thin. Try a thick, patent-leather belt in a stand-out shade such as red. Necessary Objects makes a Fendi look-alike for under $20.
If you're like me, however, and "waif thin" doesn't exactly describe your body, then try a belt that's not too thick worn right under the bust. This will accentuate your d?©colletage and draw attention upwards, away from your middle.
Another trend that I'm truly loving this season is hats. As the temperature drops, a hat is only practical. As a Canadian, I can't deny the allure of a simple toque, but all the fun hats available this season make it impossible to stick to simple.
Keira, Ashlee, Lindsay and Mischa have been spotted wearing various fedoras, and I have to say that a fedora thrown on top of any outfit definitely ups the level of class. The Olsens, among others, have been wearing berets all over NYC, and H&M makes a fabulous version for the sweet price of $7.90.
Poorboy caps have been around for a few seasons now (Hilary Duff is a fan) and they look really cute worn with a low side ponytail that falls in front of your shoulders. And the best thing about a hat is that you can roll out of bed, throw it over your bed-head hair, and have one less thing to worry about while rushing to make it to class on time.
If your hat has a wide enough brim, you can also doze off in class without your professor noticing, but hey - you didn't hear it from me.
Next on the agenda, of course, is jewelry. If you do choose to sport a prominent belt or hat, then keep your jewelry to a bare minimum to avoid looking busier than a New York City subway at rush hour. If you want big earrings to be the focal point of your ensemble, skip a necklace all together; when adorning your hands, go for lots of bracelets or multiple rings, not both.
Personally, I'm a necklace girl, and this season, necklaces have never been more fun to wear because all the rules your mother taught you are thrown out the window. Mix gold and silver, wear multiple strands of varying length at one time, combine costume and fine jewelry and/or throw a few strands over your shoulder like a purse or wear them down your back as seen in the Tiffany & Co. Frank Gehry collection ad.
While it's important to have fun and experiment with all of your favorite accessories, remember to keep the cardinal rule of accessorizing (and fashion, for that matter) in mind: less is more. In fashion, you can have too much of a good thing.
-Jyll Saskin is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major.
