FASHION ACCESSORIES
Handbags, hats, belts, sunglasses, watches, leggings, stockings, all these and many more form a small but very essential part of a person’s wardrobe. These are called accessories and they all supplement one’s garment. Then what are fashion accessories?
Fashion accessories are those accessories which are fashionable, trendy and perfectly blend with the clothing. The history and origin of accessories is quite similar to that of fashionable clothing. Initially people started using accessories because of their utility value. For example, handbags were used for carrying anything; belts were used to make trousers fit well, gloves to keep hands warm and sunglasses for protection from sun’s rays. But nowadays, these are used less for their practical functions and more because they add color, style and class to clothing.
Some accessories are symbols of religious and cultural affiliation. For example, many Jews wear Jewish stars as an accessory and quite a few Sikhs wear turbans. Both men and women have quite different tastes as far as accessories are concerned. For instance, both men and women wear watches as accessories but the types of watches they wear are completely different. Men like tough, bulky watches which match with their personality whereas women prefer sleek, sober watches.
Initially, the accessory market was small and only clothing design companies used to produce accessories which matched with their clothing and designs. But nowadays, the market for accessories is expanding. This is primarily because people
have become fashion conscious. People are now realizing the importance of accessories in a person’s appearance. This has led to the emergence of individual brand names in accessories. They are designing and making their own label of accessories. Such type of exclusive accessory designing is gaining popularity at a fast pace and will soon find a place of its own in the fashion industry.