By Erika Luft
Fall is about accessories. Clothing is taking a backseat to textured shoes, luxurious bags, and broaches with so much sparkle you’ll need sunglasses. Fabrics, such as tweed, houndstooth and glorious fur, which are the norm for classic jackets and lavish evening coats, are making their way to extravagant bags and shoes, and making way for simple and classic fabrics such as silk and cashmere on the actual clothing. This season makes room for simplistic clothing and outrageous accessories.
I recently was walking through the shoe department at Saks Fifth Avenue and suddenly the woman next to me let out a tragic gasp. I looked over and realized her gasp was not out of fear, but rather one of excitement over the winter Stuart Weitzman tweed pumps with a rhinestone broach detail.
The shoes of winter are punctuated with gorgeous details like broaches, rhinestones and bows; these accents are being placed on top of textured fabrics like colorful tweed, animal prints and jewel-toned satin. Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs have some of the most vibrant shoes of the season. The best part is, this winter is all about the round-toe. So ladies everywhere can enjoy a little more comfort with their style, as they say goodbye to having to squeeze their manicured toes into those narrow and pointy heels of last year. The shoes of the season represent every taste and style, but most in a very grown-up way. As I browsed through catalogues and department stores, the same word jumped out at me over and over: ladylike. These shoes are beautiful, luxurious and works of art. But most in a diffident and classic way.
We all know the rule that your bag has to coordinate with your shoes, right? There are bags this season to match every desire your heart could have. My personal favorite of the season is the traditional Burberry plaid, but in glorious winter tweed, available in pink, blue or the standard bone. Isabella Fiore can always be counted on when a flashy bag or clutch is necessary. This season, she has everything from colorful chevron strips to fur to a colorful checkerboard bag. Her bags are fun, yet can be pulled out year after year. Juicy Couture is expanding its designer clothing collection to include extravagant bags. Fur and suede in purples, pinks and greens are among the best and brightest for the season.
“I’ve never seen so many colors and different styles in one season. There is so much variety; I can’t decide which ones to buy. I want to buy them all,” Nicole Hazar, a sophomore education major, said.
The bags of the season seem to be itty bitty or gigantic totes, so ladies, there will be no worrying about not fitting absolutely everything you need into your bags this winter. Traditional handbag designers like Kate Spade and Prada are even taking a stroll into the world of flamboyant colors and textures this winter. Prada is showing vibrant suede in orange and pink and Kate Spade, with quilting and bright accents. Louis Vuitton’s collection, normally known for being outrageous and anything but understated, is all about keeping things prim and proper while merging “style and structure,” Vogue said. Winter is going glam, but in an understated way.
Broaches are the “it” piece of the season. Sarah Jessica Parker shows off a group of three Fred Leighton broaches in her ads for the Gap while Ashley Judd wears two by Marc Jacobs on the cover of Glamour this month. Vogue’s September cover models have them everywhere. These pins range from simple and inexpensive to ornate and outrageously priced. But they are worth every penny; pair a sparkled pin or two with a black cashmere sweater and jeans, and instant style is created.
“A beautiful or interesting pin can reinvent last year’s sweater. They are great to add color to an otherwise monochromatic outfit. They are an instant splash of sunshine.” Caitlin Cissne, a sophomore broadcast journalism major, said.
Barbara Walters wore two diamond encrusted butterfly broaches on Oprah. Vogue pins these as the best accessory of 2004. The best part of wearing broaches is that there are no rules. They can be your grandmother’s estate piece or a $20 faux diamond pin you found at the mall. And learn to make them your own style. They are best worn in groups, usually of two or three, especially with one large and two small, but that’s just a general standard. They can be colorful and outrageous or diamond and demure, but whichever, dress up a simple outfit with one or adorn your favorite Chanel suit with one. Mixed and matched is the big idea this season, so don’t be afraid to try something new.
The desire for the outlandish clothing is being diverted to the more mild and unique accessories. It’s also allowing women to show off their personal style. Three different women can be wearing the same pieces of clothing, but their bags, shoes and accessories can make them look as different as night and day, and that is the true beauty of fashion.