Accessories | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Mar 7, 2012

5 Trendy Fashion Accessories Making a Spring Splash in 2012

March 7, 2012 By Guest Post Leave a Comment

Guest Post

Fashion trends are exciting and heavily anticipated by the public. This is due to the fact that clothing styles continue to change and evolve from one season to the next, and this year is certainly no different. 2012 is the year that you can expect to see a perfect combination of styles that combine futuristic looks with fashions that may best be described as 'blasts from the past'.

Five Fashion Accessories To Check Out This Season

This season abstract prints will battle for center stage and these runway fashions will do battle with the year's top designs that feature feminine pastel prints and colors. Fabrics containing computerized images are going to generate a great deal of buzz. Look for computer generated designs to show up in many of the clothes and accessories that are being sold by leading designers.

Accessorizing is going to achieve new heights in 2012. Accessory designers are attracting more attention this usual this year. Even a Gucci original straight from the Milan runway still needs to be styled correctly and it is the accessories that are responsible for transforming a standard look into a stunning sensation.

Here are 5 of the trendiest fashion accessories that are going to be making a splash during the 2012 spring season:

Pastel Bags: You are in luck if purses are high on your list of favorite accessories. Those designer handbags are once again a top choice for fashion divas who want to add some extra spice to their favorite new wardrobe ensembles. Look for a style such as the Gladstone bag if you want to experience sophisticated style and elegance. Many of the newest handbags are going to be featured in pastel shades such as beige, pale yellow, soft green and baby blue.

Wristbands and Lanyards have also carved out a niche on the style totem pole. While some may prefer to use a single item the more fashion savvy folks are looking to up the ante. Watch for lanyards and wristbands to show up as multiple units when they are being worn with most outfits. Combining textures and colors is one way of making a personal style statement. Wristbands and lanyards are being constructed from both fabric and metal which means you can create a look that will get noticed.

Hats: Topping it off this year will be a variety of fanciful hats that can be worn with skirts, dresses or casual jeans. Berets, fedoras and wide brims are just a few of the looks that will be seen adorning the heads of divas around the world.

Modified platform sandals are expected to generate a lot of sales for retailers this year. These styles are very similar to the 70s platform shoes but the new designs are far more 'foot-friendly'. Expect to see more shoe construction that incorporates natural materials such as straw, cotton and leather.

Neck chains are once again in vogue and this year there will be styles suitable for every taste. Instead of making a fashion statement with one chunky chain this year it is all about personalizing your look by combining multiple chains at once.

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Filed Under: Accessories, Fashion, Handbags, Shoes Tagged With: Accessories, Fashion

Feb 17, 2012

5 Boots to Kick You Into Spring Gear

February 17, 2012 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

There may still be some of the white stuff on the ground, and the weather may still be somewhat chilly, but it's never too early to look ahead to spring. Maybe it'll even help you get through the rest of the winter! And you know that with the spring season, of course, comes the colorful, vibrant fashions to boost your mood and get you ready to get back to the great outdoors!

Your toes may be chilly now, even in your tall, fuzzy winter boots, but let's think ahead for a little bit so you're ready for the best boots that will be hitting the runways this coming spring season.

The Ankle Boot

These aren't your average granny boots anymore - ankle boots are in super high fashion for this coming spring. They're the perfect transition between your warm, wintery boots to your summertime flip flops!

Flat ankle boots appear to be the trend this year. They can be worn with skirts, dresses, shorts or pants - pretty much anything you can imagine. Look for boots with a slouchy look that feature belts or buckles of some sort as these will be most in demand this spring. The best news of all is that ankle boots tend to be less expensive than their knee-high counterparts, so you'll be saving your bank and looking cute in this spring fashion trend!

High-Heeled Rain Boots

You heard right! The classic rain boots that we've come to know and love over the past few years are not being manufactured with high heels.

If you're in the market for some high-heeled rain boots, try looking at the ones with the chunkier heels first, as these will likely be more stable in the mud and slop you're used to plodding around in with your normal rain boots. Once you're used to the added height, switch to the ones they're making now with the stiletto heels for somewhat of a sexier look (how sexy can you really make rain boots look, though, honestly?).

High-heeled rain boots are really making a splash in fashion this spring - the ones being featured in some early spring fashion shows are even being displayed on a muddy runway! Sounds dangerous, but looks so cute.

Floral Boots

Not surprised to see that floral is back for yet another spring season? Neither are we. But this year, it's not so much about a pop of all-around floral design on boots as it is about accents of color to otherwise ordinary boots.

Look for low boots this spring in neutral colors with small details of floral pattern - maybe on the tongue of the boot or in the detailing at the toe.

If you're on a budget and still want this look, easy as this - take an old pair of plain boots, get yourself some floral printed fabric, use a super sticky glue to attach the floral to the parts of the boot you decide to enhance, and cut away the excess fabric with an exacto knife. Voila. Perfect spring boots from nothing!

Bright Colors

Whip out your new pair of bright blue pants, because now you can add a pair of hot pink boots to go with them! Yes, neon is making a comeback this spring, and may even be rivaling the springtime rein of pastel colors.

Look for boots in all kinds of funky colors this spring - from hot pink to lime green to sunshine yellow to fire engine red - you name it, there will be boots out in that color!

If you're the type to keep dull colors in your closet, try going for something new this year when the sun comes back around and add a pop of color to your feet. Neon boots will be the perfect way to do it.

Moccasin Boots

They're not quite moccasins, and they're not quite boots, either. Moccasin boots are the perfect combination of the two classic styles.

They reach just above the foot, but not quite all the way to the ankle, so they're perfect for wearing with any type of bottom.

These babies used to be made mostly with square toes, but for 2012, the general shoe trend seems to be leaning back toward pointed toes, so we may start seeing some moccasin boots cut the same way.

With heels or flat, moccasin boots can be a great accessory to a slouchy, relaxed look you've thrown together for a perfect spring day in the park!

Ashley Dean is a freelance writer who often contributes to fashion publications. She owns and operates her own footwear store in New York, selling everything from Wolverine boots to Louis Vuitton stilettos.

Filed Under: Accessories, Shoes Tagged With: Accessories, Boots, Fashion

Jan 12, 2012

5 Functional Winter Fashion Necessities

January 12, 2012 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

Staying warm in winter requires bulky clothes that focus more on functionality than fashion. The importance of staying warm should outweigh the need to look great. Or at least that's what you've always been told! Nowadays, there is no need to look ugly while staying warm. Fashion oriented winter clothing has become big business. These clothes are designed to help keep you warm while also letting you look great. There are various brands and styles of fashionable winter clothing that you can integrate into your daily life. Pick the brands and styles that go best with your own unique style.

Five Pieces of Winter Clothing that are Fashionable but Functional

Scarf

Scarves are fashionable and functional: They look great with a variety of styles but they also keep your neck warm. Start by picking a scarf that you think is longer than necessary. A scarf that is too short will be hard to style. It will also leave areas of your neck exposed to the cold. Avoid picking scarves with intricate patterns or designs. These can sometime appear tacky and are often hard to integrate into your style. Instead, get several different one color scarves. Pick colors that go well with your wardrobe. Wear different scarves based on your style for the day. This will help you look good while keeping your neck warm.

Gloves or Mittens

Ski gloves and insulated work gloves are very warm. However, they're a complete fashion faux pas. You don't have to wear these bulky, ugly gloves to keep your hands warm. Buy a pair of top brand leather gloves. These gloves are designed for warmth and style. Try them on before purchasing to find which brand you like best. Wear leather gloves to create a no-nonsense, business oriented look. Thread or felt based mittens also work well with a style that integrates a lot of fur or felt. Buy multiple pairs of mittens to help coordinate individual pairs with different sets of clothing in your wardrobe. Mittens are great for a more "fun loving" look.

Felt Hat and Earmuffs

A single color felt hat is a fashionable way to keep your head warm. Single color hats make it easier to integrate the hats into your style and wardrobe selection. Avoid buying hats with logos, intricate patterns or God help us, pom-poms. These types of hats are great...for little kids. You're an adult now: dress like one. On that note, don't be ashamed to wear earmuffs! They may look "kiddy" but they are actually a very functional way to keep your wears warm. Again, focus on simple, single color earmuffs. These are much easier to integrate into your rapidly growing winter wardrobe.

Boots

Don't forget to buy a great set of boots this winter! You may resist buying boots: rubber boots may keep your feet dry and warm but they can look so ungainly and ugly. Don't suffer in inappropriate shoes for the sake of fashion! Instead, go to a great shoe store and look through the boots. There are plenty of fashionable boots available that will still keep your feet warm. Be a bit more "extravagant" with your boot style. Few people will really take the time to notice your boots unless they clash with your wardrobe or compliment it perfectly.

Coat

A great winter coat should be the central focus of a functional but fashionable winter wardrobe. Avoid oversized, bulky coats. Instead, use coats like a fitted pea coat. A fitted pea coat is designed specifically for you. It is designed for comfort, warmth and style. Fur coats and double breasted coats are also comfortable, warm and fashionable.

Shop for Winter Fashions at Nordstrom