The perfect fashion accessory is the one that suits you, and lifts your
everyday outfit into the realms of making it so special, that
compliments roll fast and furious.
You may have already seen my page of
looks
for autumn trends 2007, or have read about the influence of Swarovski
CRYSTALLIZATION™ on the
Swarovski page,
or about texture on
handbags. If so, you will be aware that gem encrustation is influencing all areas of
clothing and accessories, including underwear.
The perfect fashion accessory is bound to set off any outfit and the
very best thing about accessories is that slimming is never
involved! Fat or thin, there are plenty of accessories to
suit all sizes.
Left - This Plumo Vintage style belt in chestnut brown leather
is available in two sizes and can be bought online from Plumo at
£109. Its Swarovski crystal set buckle, is
encrusted with ivory fashion pearls and sparkling pink Swarovski
crystals.
These belts shown right are also by Plumo and are the perfect item to dress up a
favourite black dress or trousers. Price N/K.
The crystal bow is a hot fashion symbol this autumn especially
in
jewellery items such as
earrings or pendants.
Belts had a revival with the
gypsy Boho look when the belts were slung low on the hip.
Belts are now back on the waistline, and these belts here, feature a mixed
selection of buckles and clasps. Many more varieties than we saw during the Eclectic Ethnic Era.
The Plumo crystal buckles above offer a feminine daintiness that some
of the heavier buckles can never achieve.
In addition to leather and manmade material
belts, look out for chain lariat style belts. This sumptuous
gold chain link lariat belt with purple crystal medallion,
covers several trends in one item. The fashion accessory items in the image left are all
from a selection at Debenhams Accessories. The photograph should
remind you that
purple is the 'it' of colour of autumn.
Jewellery chain belts and bejewelled minaudière are also the
alternative to wearing standard jewellery. The gem studded cuff in the upper
section of the image, looks like a splendid fashion buy, for that all
important pop of autumn 2007 purple.
Left - This is another bangle cuff from Debenhams with a
purple jolt of colour. It's a simple, but modern inexpensive accessory that will help update
your look.
Just below, and equally feminine, is this lovely decorative
butterfly belt from River Island
Clothing at just £19.99.
Wallis have many various belts that have a bold space age
look.
The second elastic black belt below has a lovely central disc clasp buckle
fastening that might have been seen in a Sci-Fi film.
Warrior woman is at large in a city near you.
Right - Wallis black elastic clasp disc belt, price £15/€23.
Hardware first moved off belts onto
fashion handbags, but now the studs are
once again richly decorating belts. These two belts left have a
mixture of stud sizes and are from the House of Fraser 'UNTOLD'
range. House of Fraser black and brown belts with antique brass roller
buckle, price £25 each.
In
keeping with the flurry of metallic bags there are many golden
and silver belts on offer in all the high street stores. The gold House of Fraser 'Linea' belt
below, also pays homage to
stud style.
Linea multi chain link and gold mesh belt £29.
These
three
high fashion belts, to the left and right, are all from Dorothy Perkins. Two follow the double buckle style.
If
you have no waistline for a belt, consider instead purple boots.
These £90 purple suede fashion boots right, are from the Georgina
Goodman range for Evans. They are bound to be wide enough for those with
larger calves since the boot has an elastic panel. With a pointed
toe, suede upper and lining they are also available in black.
Purple
- great colour. See how it extends to flats and even shoe
boot linings. Above right - Dune Passby shoe boot £110.
Left - French Connection purple patent flat pumps £70.
Other popular shoe tones this season include green, a colour which will take us into
spring. These patent green wedge shoes are
from Shelly.
Black, purple and forest green are all must-have choices for Christmas.
The selection of Mary Jane shoes below are from
Dune.
Note
the patent wet look, and the colourations.
The double bar strap is a feature of the latest Mary Jane shoe
styles. This bar strap feature has also crossed over into ballet
flats and even slippers.
If metallic is on your mind then what better choice than this
warm gold shoe boot also from Dune.
Hosiery is very much at the fore of fashion this autumn
Winter 2007/8. Some styles of clothing only gel when worn with
coloured or patterned tights and wildly contrasting
footwear.
Coloured shoes can be worn with thick or opaque black tights,
coloured tights, animal print tights or lace hosiery.
Gloves
have been a growing trend ever since three quarter and elbow
sleeves started appearing on outdoor winter wear.
For a super deluxe evening think gold or
metallic gloves like these shown left and from Plumo.
Gloves of all types especially elbow
length gloves or ditsy short gloves set the tone of your outfit.
Right - Wallis long grey ruched leather gloves, £22, €36, long
teal button detail gloves, £18, €30. Left studded gloves from
Marks and Spencers.
For gloves that may become vintage in the years
check out those at House of Fraser. House of Fraser glove
departments are stocking Dents black leather cut out gloves with
a
diamante box cut out finish at £49.
Everyday
headwear is has made a comeback especially with younger people. Hats can vary from knit beanies to fur or feather inspired
pieces zany enough to revive as cocktail hats. But the
Fedora is the most important hat revival style.
Far right - Purple velvet trilby from French Connection is
priced at £30.
In the past 5 years,
we have rediscovered terms like barrette, a hair
accessory name that
almost went out of use.
Beautiful
hairclips, bobby pins, barrette slides, hairclips and grips can
all be jewel decorated to add a glamorous touch to any
hairstyle.
Left - Plumo hair combs with crystals.
In particular hair ornaments are very fashionable both day and
evening. Many hair accessories will
suit current French pleats and other updo
hairstyles. Other hairstyles to consider are classic bobs
and also the Victoria asymmetric bob.
As the season becomes more festive expect hair ornaments to go wild. Hair decoration began to happen again when
women started to wear flowers and fascinator hat pieces in
their hair. These small, but festive hair accessories
have become perfect for adding a partied-up touch for weddings and
other social occasions, especially when the protocol for wearing
headwear is optional. Evening wedding receptions
have created a great deal of difficulty for women who ponder the
need for wearing a hat for 'special occasion' dressing.
Now all sorts of new
creative accessories are being used
to decorate the hair.
These little works of art certainly make a welcome change
from those straight hair extensions of yesterday.
Bridal wear has already been the prime place for
tiara wear
and
Pearls Plus
make them to order.
Right - Other items Pearls Plus make for the hair include these coloured
freshwater pearl pieces. The coloured pearls and dainty Swarovski
crystals catch the light and reflect lovely colours that match your dress.
Decorative
brow headbands and forehead drops and
lariats are an accessory area
about to see more demand within the jewellery marketplace.
Some of the decorative pieces seen on hair accessories this
season are just as likely to be adorning belts.
The jewellery market and online gem market is booming and now
many stores place their fashion
costume jewellery at the
front of the store. the choice of fashion and fine
jewellery is enormous. Read all about the latest
cuff,
luxury bespoke and
general jewellery trends
on my other pages.
You have been reading an original fashion trends article by Pauline Weston
Thomas at
www.fashion-era.com
Read more about these colours and about
fabrics on the Spring 2007 colour page.
Images courtesy of swarovski, Plumo, River Island, Dorothy Perkins,
Wallis, Accessorize, French Connection, House of Fraser, Debenhams, Dune,
Shelly, Evans, Pearls Plus, Marks and Spencer, and prshots,
Fashion-Era.com looks at women's costume and fashion history and analyses the mood of an era. Changes in technology, leisure, work, cultural and moral values. Homelife and politics also
contribute to lifestyle trends, which in turn influence the clothes we wear. These are the changes that make any era of society special in relation to the study of the costume of a period.
Fashion-Era.com can take no responsibility for any information on the site which may cause you error, loss or costs incurred from use of the information and links either directly or
indirectly. This site is owned, designed, written and developed by Pauline Weston Thomas and Guy Thomas. This site is designed to be viewed in 1024 X 768 or higher.
Before you write to me for costume/fashion help or information please, please consult the extensive sitemap which lists all our pages. If you still cannot find the answer after searching the site, then before you email me, please consider if you are prepared to make a donation to the website.
Donations Reader's donations help this site flourish, in particular donations encourage me to write more articles on fashion history as well as current trends. PayPal
allows anyone with a credit card to donate easily and securely. You may donate any sum you feel appropriate.
If you have any comments, or if you see any broken links, then please email with details of the page url or problem.
The perfect fashion accessory is the one that suits you, and lifts your
everyday outfit into the realms of making it so special, that
compliments roll fast and furious.
Wallis have many various belts that have a bold space age
look.
Hardware first moved off belts onto
fashion 
These
three
high fashion belts, to the left and right, are all from Dorothy Perkins. Two follow the double buckle style.
If
you have no waistline for a belt, consider instead purple boots.
These £90 purple suede fashion boots right, are from the Georgina
Goodman range for Evans. They are bound to be wide enough for those with
larger calves since the boot has an elastic panel. With a pointed
toe, suede upper and lining they are also available in black. 
Purple
- great colour. See how it extends to flats and even shoe
boot linings. Above right - Dune Passby shoe boot £110.
Black, purple and forest green are all must-have choices for Christmas.
The selection of Mary Jane shoes below are from
Dune.
Gloves
have been a growing trend ever since three quarter and elbow
sleeves started appearing on outdoor winter wear.
Now all sorts of new
creative accessories are being used
to decorate the hair.
These little works of art certainly make a welcome change
from those straight hair extensions of yesterday. 
