New Fall Looks Don't Have to Cost a Fortune - Part I: Trendy Jewelry and Bags

Fall 2009 is here. Back to school, back to work—the lazy summer days have come to a close.

As you peek at your packed-away cold weather wardrobe and at your not yet replenished disposable income, you may wonder how you are going to update your look for the coming season without feeling even more of a pinch.

Accessory designers have heard your call! From jewels and bags to hats and wraps, Fall fashion pieces abound and at very affordable prices. So, go out (or online) and discover fun and trendy items to update last year’s looks from head to toe. Fall fashion pieces abound and at very affordable prices.

Our first focus is jewelry—quick and easy to pick and put on. Also, trendy jewelry pieces make a great gift for your friends, colleagues or family relatives for any occasion. Who wouldn’t enjoy a new glamorous necklace or stunning pair of earrings?

Statement pieces give Fall 2009 its distinctive direction and a big bang for your buck! Look for necklaces with oversized clear and colored faceted glass stones, carved resin flowers and laser cut metals intermixed on snake chains and layered link chains. At all lengths and finishes, the presentation is nothing short of dramatic.

Bracelets continue to be an important accessory piece. There are many styles to choose from-- stretch bracelets, chunky bangles, jeweled cuffs and also bold face watches. On a practical note, when picking your bracelet of the day, make sure it not only matches, but is also comfortable and won’t get in the way of what you have to get done that day. “Fashion functional” applies to everything for us busy girls, but especially to bracelets.

You can never have enough…earrings. It is most probably the easiest and most noticed jewelry accessory you wear.. This Fall, the big but lightweight look is still on trend. Don’t buy or give earrings that feel heavy. They may look enticing, but being able to wear them for only a few hours before they hurt is not the way to go. With this season’s designs that incorporates laser cut metals designs, bits of leather, fabric and feathers, and sparkling stones and beads, stylish earrings can be achieved without the extra weight.

Fashion jewelry makes the ideal transitional accessory. It will transform your Fall wardrobe as soon as the calendar turns, especially on Indian summer days, when it’s too late to wear white but too hot to don wool.

Now onto another one of a woman’s top weaknesses—bags. There’s nothing like a new bag or two to start the new season with a new attitude. When shopping for Fall think color and metallic finishes for you (you know you are going to get at least one for yourself)and that gift for your best friend!

Predominating the look for Fall is the soft and carefree “Boho Chic”. As you peruse shops and online sites, you will notice lots of comfortable hobo shoulder and cross body styles a la 1960’s, but the newness is the details from long fringe with studs and grommets to woven and embossed texture to blanket and topstitching and burnished hardware.

However, sloppy-casual doesn’t go everywhere you do, so also important on the “bag scene” are more tailored shapes like satchels and designer inspired dome shapes. For dressier looks, the must-have piece is the clutch. Styles include elongated clutch, envelop clutch, framed clutch with jeweled or metal closures that can go to work, lunch with the girls, high power business dinners or after hours clubs!

All this newness may sound like a bank-breaker, but there is so much in the marketplace to choose from that won’t. My picks include many of the trendy styles from the Big Buddha. Their Fall collection encompasses all the fashion right aspects and colors—their faux-suede fringe bag, leather-like slouchy bags, big rose dome bag and chic clutches—at way under $100 price tag.

Next Issue: Part II: For (Not So) Cold Weather: Hats, Gloves and Scarves.