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Popular fashion accessories

1 Feb 2021 By HUBERT VAZ

Fashion experts say, most people take just a few seconds to glance at you and  form an instant opinion based on your appearance. And, your hair, watch and shoes play an important part in them deciding on how much importance you accord to personal style and grooming!

If accessories play an important part in one’s personal style and get-up, then paying utmost attention to these everyday would be helpful to develop a signature style or to be ‘in style’ with the trends of the season when you are among people. So, there is enough reason to work hard on your accessories to unleash the favourable impression you want.

It is said, ‘a woman makes an outfit her own by adding accessories that she is fond of’. Accessories aim to enhance the effect of clothes you wear but whether they succeed or not depends on your sense of style, the trend in fashion at that particular time, and the occasion you are wearing it for.

Popular accessories range between anklets, belts, bracelets and watches to handbags, umbrellas, and now, even facemasks. People have a liking for a variety of accessories which include bangles, necklaces, earrings, handkerchiefs/scarves, shoes/sandals, hats/hairclips, handbags/clutches, socks and stockings, veils and stols, rings and pendants, also helmets and luggage. The invisible accessories, of course, include perfumes, deodorants and bodysprays that provide a sensory signature on their arrival.

Bangles, bracelets, brooches

Bangles and bracelets are fashion accessories worn around the wrist since time immemorial. From tribals to new age independent women, all have always treasured the trinkets they wear around their wrists. The difference between a bangle and a bracelet is that a bangle is more rigid than a bracelet while a bracelet is more fluid and has room for varied styles, from a simple set of links (as in a chain) to chunky strips, beads and what have you. Bangles and bracelets exist in countless forms in a lady’s collection as one or two are never enough. Brooches and pins, on the other hand, are traditionally used as fastenings to hold folds of fabric together. However, these have evolved as decorative accessories to enhance the look and feel of  an otherwise simple outfit. Pins, when attached with an ornament on top of it, become brooches. They also serve as fasteners of any other décor attached to one’s attire, such as a spray of flowers or ferns.

Purses, pouches, handbags

The purse, pouch, clutch or handbag has always been one of the most popular accessories without which many women just cannot go outdoors. While some have the whole world in their handbag, others carry essential items, from make-up kits to emergency medicines in small purses/clutches. In fact, unlike men, all women do not like to walk hands free, and so the purse comes to their rescue. Handbags and clutches also reflect personal style, as well as taste – they also indicate social status as well as mindset of the individual. So, women are very careful in choosing these accessories as they speak volumes about their own personality.

Facemasks, gloves, headwraps

While some people always had a fondness for facemasks, gloves, headwraps and scarves, these have now emerged as necessary elements of ones attire, in view of the current pandemic. Especially, the facemask has emerged as a essential fashion accessory which is now custome made to suit varied tastes. Gloves, too, in cotton, silk, wool and leather have always been a style statement for some. However, these have now emerged as essential accessories for many people. The headdress or headwrap is an accessory that may have religious or cultural connotations in different countries but now they have become essential for people of all cultures.

 

Watches and shoes

Though these are worn on two different ends on upper an lower limbs, watches and shoes have always been an important part of an individual’s style quotient. There are some people who have analyse one’s total personality by just taking a look at the watch and shoes worn. And rightly so, these are available in countless designs and to suit pockets of every size, giving a clear indication of personal taste as well as status. The brand of your watch and shoes seem to determine on which rung you stand on the social ladder. However, there are some people who care more for creativity and comfort level, rather than value and esteem, when choosing their watches or shoes and these can send the social barometers for a tizzy.

 

My style…

Areej al Balushi

My most favourite accessory would be a classic bag, like the Chanel flab bag, as it can complete any style. It’s a timeless piece.

Emily Shotter

I probably never go out without some cat fur… it’s the new trend! And of course no outfit of mine is complete without it (I have a few pet cats at home). I don’t have an accessory ‘vice’ that I can’t live without. Each day and outfit is different for me.

Dr Mary Ann

My favourite accessories are scarves and brooches. The scarf, is versatile and creates an air of formality with either a woggle, brooch, or a fancy knot, depending on the occasion. The brooch adds an air of sophistication to any outfit – it’s design and colour creates a story. My wardrobe is incomplete without a collection of scarves and brooches.

Azra Aleem

My most favourite accessory is my handbag. I have many different ones and often mix and match them with my outfits. It’s also an essential part of my attire as it carries other personal items like my phone, my keys, etc. It’s basically like a mini emergency kit.

Shalini Kumar

As an artist, it comes naturally to me to match my accessories with my outfit, whether its Indian or Western. My most beloved fashion accessory is earrings. Without matching earrings, I feel incomplete, as if something is missing. I feel very confident when I wear nice, matching, beautiful earrings.

Deepti Rawal

My most favorite fashion accessory is my handbag. It’s like a mini home for me – so useful in carrying all cosmetics, necessities, first-aid medicines, extra masks, sun glasses, cash and credit cards, ID cards, mobile phone and much more. In fact, I’d surely not step out of my house without my bag.

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