Tips for Fall Accessories

Accessories are a great way to update your wardrobe and keep up with the latest trends of fall 2007. Here are a few tips on how to wear them well.

*A little animal print goes a long way. Keep your killer cheetah-print item the focal point of your outfit by wearing one at a time. When you add more pieces—a bag and shoes and a belt and a headband—they detract from the whole look. The goal is not to look like Catwoman.

*Patent leather can be a sophisticated and edgy look. Typically a spring trend (like a nice black patent leather pump), this season it’s everywhere—shoes, belts, bags, and even trench coats. Don’t worry about mixing leather  … it’s quite all right to have regular leather shoes with a patent belt. Just make sure that each coordinates with the outfit.

*Metallic has become the new neutral, and it’s more than just silver and gold. Bronze, pewter, and copper can add unique tones to the mix of a fall ensemble. Also, metallics can be matte (less shiny) or very shiny, for a futuristic/modern look. Wear metallics with a variety of fabrics—velvet, silk, and wool tweed—for a classic look with an up-to-date twist.

*When selecting jewelry for an outfit, try the “three out of four” approach. If you are considering earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, and a cocktail ring, only wear three out of these four pieces, so you don’t look too bejangled. And keep the pieces in scale with your size—petite women should wear smaller pieces while a tall woman needs to wear bolder accessories.

*Break away from a plain old black or brown handbag this fall. Rich greens, plums, reds, and golds can make a neutral outfit pop, so go for something a little outside the box.

Remember, accessories are the best way to test your interest in a new fashion trend. A plaid ballet flat could give you the courage you need to say yes to that great plaid coat a few weeks later. Be adventurous, and have fun with accessories.