Accentuate with Accessories

Ask any fashion expert and they will tell you that details of an ensemble lie in quality accessories. Whether your style is minimalistic or bold dramatic, accessories can play a key role in completing the mood. With upcoming festivities and Autumn-Winter season, invest in timeless accessories to play dress up every day without spending a bomb. We speak to five fashion gurus for an insightful lowdown on hot accessories for your wardrobe.  

Jackets
According to designer Ranna Gill’s prediction, pearl ornamentation for hair will be big this season and next. At the same time, one can invest in scarves with beautiful panel prints, puffer boots, waist belts and bucket hats for versatile styling. She also mentions, “Biker jacket is an absolute staple, it adds a chic factor to any ensemble. Whereas, a sequence jacket never goes out of style as you can wear it over LBD or carry it with denim. Also tailored jackets come in handy whatever be the occasion, so invest in a good jacket for sure.”

Belts
The simplest way to step up a plain outfit is by adding a belt and matching handbag to the look. For designer Hemant Sagar of the duo Lecoanet Hemant, the trick to add a spontaneous edge to the wardrobe is with a statement accessory. The designer says, “An embroidered bag with an unmatched sparkle is perfect for a fun night out in town. Pair it up with a long dress or amp up your classic separates. One can add a key chain holder with sequined edges to add glamour to a basic accessory. Apart from that, the classic buckle belt or a leather wide belt with structured poplins is perfect for a dressy ensemble. Textured belts are also a good idea to draw attention to a well-shaped waist. The wrap around chord belt goes well over loosely fitted dresses. The straps add definition around the waist and draw attention to the interesting contrast of textures.”

Footwear
A classic accessory that goes well with Indian, as well as traditional outfits, is a smart investment, says designer Laksheeta Govil of footwear brand. She says, “One accessory that I feel transcends into every season is a pair of juttis. For a little pizzazz, a statement embroidered sandal can be the perfect addition to your accessories closet this season. For me, a pair of good footwear is the key to tying together a perfect outfit. Three must-haves would surely be a pair of juttis, a pair of chic desi sandals, and a pair of wedges – each of which can be styled to your preference. Another fairly new trend that has caught my eye is monogrammed jewellery; this can really tie in a look together.”

Bags
Over the past decade, accessories have seen a great revival as the wardrobe must-haves. Downsizing on the clothes by upgrading on key accessories takes you easily from day to evening, formal to casual to dressy and complements a range of clothes, says bag expert Dilip Kapur, founder of an leather accessory brand. He recommends, “A great work bag (choose between a briefcase and a messenger), a quality wallet, a city bag, a duffel or a gym bag which doubles up as an overnighter and a trolley must be in your top list. Your face is after all your passport to the world, so make sure to carry along a pair of sunglasses everywhere. While picking bags, go for a contemporary crossbody with clean lines or buy one with multi-pockets to organise your things. A bag pack similar to the reincarnation of a fanny pack is an easy pick for an all-day bag. Go for bags with unique handcrafted details and choose from a range of stylish duffle bags or quirky laptop bags if you travel for work and need space for storage.”

Jewellery
Accessories are the perfect investment in one’s wardrobe, from dialing up a look to revamping an old favourite, they add an elegant yet fun aspect to your ensemble. Having few signature jewellery pieces in the wardrobe that are playful yet functional serve as saviours for modern women, mentions designer Tarang Arora, co-founder of jewellery brand. He says, “Invest in a pair of silver earrings, an emblem ring, chandbali’s (both, the mini and big) and a bold statement bangle – either layered with a watch or worn as is. A great tip for this season is to buy the chain bracelet /necklace, a multi-utilitarian piece that can be rolled up to make a bracelet or layered in for a chain. A Dholki bead necklace, charm bracelets and a classic pair of ear studs are pieces that are statement yet are not over the top, and can work equally with a Western or an Indian outfit.”