Designer Fashion Overview

Fashion design trends change with the seasons, and it takes an eye for what’s “now” and an unfaltering commitment to individuality to determine which accessories will make your style truly your own.

Staple design accessories for women are, of course, shoes and handbags. Most everyone wears shoes, after all, and women usually need bags to carry their essentials when out in public. Shoes can be sensible and comfortable while still being stylish, especially with today’s fashions trending toward flats and away from super-high heels. The classic ballet slipper has come a long way in recent months, and has even encroached upon the athletic shoe market, bringing feminine and sexy styles back for women of every build and shoe size. Of course, women who still want a heel to add height and sensuality to their look won’t be disappointed. The other end of the shoe spectrum features mega-high heels, so tall in fact that they sport platform toes to add more height to the substantial spikes. Heels need to be flashy these days, with trends toward patent leather, me t a l lic, and animal prints to add a little pizzazz to any outfit.

The perfect shoe should be partnered with the perfect handbag. Women have known for decades that their handbags and shoes need not match. What they may not know is that the smaller, over-the-shoulder bags are still trendy despite the move to super - sized, slouchy bags with oversized hardware. Again, it’s personal preference that dictates which style to make your own.

Another accessory that has fallen victim to Hollywood’s largesse is sunglasses. Chunky frames, outlandish hardware, big lenses, and plenty of bling are the orders of the day for shades, which also come in every color and print in and around the rainbow.

While men’s fashion accessories are slightly more limited in scope, they have certainly not been ignored by an industry that caters to women. Men’s accessories include wallets, shoes, sunglasses, briefcases, and jewelry, including cufflinks. Luckily for men, or perhaps not, is the fact that men’s accessories tend to be a little more steadfast and less influenced by current fashion trends. Seasonal accessories, however, like umbrellas, scarves, coats and hats, can still pay homage to the runway with slight variations in materials, colors, and hardware.

These days, even your cell phone has accessories, and if you want to explore which earrings don’t compete with your Bluetooth headset, that’s another story in itself. Traditional accessories are the tip of the fashion iceberg, and the bottom line is, choose accessories that speak to your own personal style and budget.