NYFW Trend Alert: It's All In The Accessories - Stylehive

The overarching feel of the fall/winter 2008 collections was sleek sophistication mixed with high-impact glamour, mostly due to the fact that almost every designer had a serious case of accessory-fever. Almost all the looks in the shows were paired with either hats (from beret€™s, to brim hats, to knits, to fedoras, to small hats, to big hats, and so much more), fancy hair pieces, fur boleros, layered necklaces, long leather gloves, and/or belts (either super-thick or super-thin but always super sleek- either individually, several at a time, or all piled on in a single look).

Diane Von Furstenberg€™s culturally inspired collection truly mastered the art of accessorizing- the hats, gloves, belts and more truly enforced the €˜jet setting fashionista who loads on the layers because she doesn€™t know where the day will take her€� message.

Diane wasn۪t the only one who had fun playing with accessories though. Carolina Herrera channeled a huntress with her collection which included long feathered headpieces that took the looks from amazing to extraordinary. Anna Sui added to the psychedelic theme of her collection with funky flowered head-pieces while Tracy Reese incorporated variations of the classic beret give her funky, earth-inspired collection a sleek and sophisticated twist. Many collections, including Abaet̩ and Mara Hoffman played with funky, ethnic-inspired head pieces which roughened up girly dresses. Jill Stuart upped the glam factor in her somber collection- inspired by tragic Parisian heroine Joan of Arc- with sleek beret۪s, fur bolero۪s, and brim hats. Zac Posen wasn۪t afraid to pile on the layered necklaces to really glam it up while Ports 1961 played with earthy accessories to heighten the Chic Girl in the Old Country theme.

And just about EVERYONE threw long leather gloves into the mix, teaching us that this is one item that knows no bounds and can be worn with anything- from evening gowns, to business suits, to cocktail dresses, to airy chiffon frocks- we learned it€™s very good to make your look a little bad with these.

And this is a mere teeny tiny snapshot of the accessories that abounded. The take home message- clothes don€™t cut it anymore, when fall 2008 hits, don€™t be afraid of excess when you accessorize.

Top row from left to right: DVF, Carolina Herrara, Zac Posen
Bottom row from left to right- Jill Stuart, Anna Sui, Iodice