Fashion accessories are items of either apparel or material that are intended to enhance the appearance of a human being. A typical fashion accessory would be described as any article of clothing, handbag, or other fashionable material that is worn as a decorative feature or to advertise the owner’s/piece of clothing. In a broader sense, a fashion accessory may be anything that one wishes to add to one’s attire, whether it be a hat to hide a bald head, or a purse to hold one’s daily expenses. A fashion accessory may be a fashionable article of clothing or a useful tool. A famous fashion accessory may be the Chanel “Coco” handbag which has become iconic in its own right.
Fashion accessories come in many forms and colors. Some are wearable, meaning they are intended to be worn in public and may even have some utilitarian purpose such as holding one’s keys, or a cell phone to call for help when in a situation where one needs it. Other accessories are not designed to be used in public, but serve a more personal or utilitarian purpose. Such accessories could include hair ties, nail polish, scarves and bandanas, which all serve specific purposes. The two major categories of fashion accessories are utilitarian and decorative.
Utilized in public settings, the majority of fashion accessories are wearable clothes. Examples of this would be earrings, watches, bracelets, necklaces and belts. The types of clothes that fall under this category are usually those that are not considered “mainstream”, such as jeans and T-shirts. Earrings are often the most popular example of an article of clothing used as a fashion accessory. However, accessories do not have to be worn with clothes; many accessories are used instead as part of a costume, for example, the famous “slim guy” photograph by Photographer Terry Richardson.
Decorative items of clothing are not intended to be worn, but rather serve to dress up an outfit. For example, shoes, hats, scarves and bandanas all qualify as a decorative accessory. In order to wear an accessory, it is necessary to have an outfit that already qualifies as a “piece of wardrobe.” A “piece of wardrobe” is typically any article of clothing that a person wears for the purpose of providing additional protection from the weather, protection from other people, or as part of a particular style.
Fashion accessories can help define an individual’s style, which is determined by the pieces of clothing that they are worn with. High fashion accessories such as hats, scarf necklaces and earrings, for example, can signify a social status. These items are worn with clothing that either deviates from the standard style or is drastically different from the typical style. This type of accessory can sometimes be used as a method of defining an individual’s ethnicity, as ethnic clothing has historically been a marker of social status.
Fashion accessories can also be used to describe an individual’s body type, as certain accessories are often worn to modify the way in which one’s outfit fits. For instance, a high cut blouse would not normally be worn with a fitted t-shirt, but when the t-shirt is made with an intricate design, it becomes appropriate. This example illustrates the fact that fashion accessories can be used as a means of describing and complimenting an outfit. By choosing the right accessory, one can ensure that their outfit compliments their body type and overall appearance.