Buying Fashion Accessories Online

Follow the Trends and Purchase Your Fashion Accessories ONLINE

Do you get excited when you’ve purchased on line? I do!  The expectation of receiving the delivery of things purchased online has grown to be a new and thrilling phenomenon. Waking up on the morning your fashion accessories, which you purchased through an e-commerce store, are due to arrive is very thrilling and you no doubt will be checking your front door every five minutes or so  to see whether your package has arrived!

E-commerce is not only remarkably convenient, but the products obtainable online are typically less expensive than their retail counterparts. The e-commerce market for handbags, footwear and other fashionaccessories is enormous! And by that, I mean tens of billions of dollars of fashion accessories sales are processed every year.

Statistically handbags,  shoes and fashion accessories constitute a large portion of the e-commerce pie. In 2012, revenue generated from the online footwear industry alone was around $8 billion which was an increase of about 16% from 2011. The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS)  report that textile, clothing, handbag and footwear store sales grew by 17.8 percent in September 2013, and represented 10.1 percent of total sales made online. And this huge growth is expected to continue for many years.

To put it all into perspective, compare these e-commerce figures to the annual revenue for brick-and-mortar footwear stores in the United States in 2012. The total sales for these stores combined was $24.9 billion which was actually  down from $26.6 billion 4 years ago, in 2008.

Popular brands such as Nike have had to rely on e-commerce sales for growth of their businesses.  Nike’sannual report for North America shows that revenue growth for  2013 were stimulated by 3 things  - organic growth in comparable store sales, the addition of new stores and the rapid growth in online sales. Sales direct to the consumer made up about 25% of their sales and this % is expected to increase.

 

What all of these statistics demonstrate is that e-commerce is on the rise, and people are looking more and more to purchase online. The retail market is fiercely competitive at the best of times, and this is especially true for the online handbags footwear and fashion accessory sector.

People are looking for e-retailers they can trust. Be careful with purchasing big-name products online. Check out the authenticity of popular brand items, such as Rolex, Armani, Gucci, Prada or Adidas because they are often reproduced by scammers. The last thing you want is to buy a fake brand item thinking you have got a real McCoy.  You can buy handbags and fashion accessories in safety at my e-retail stores.

The Greek Prime Minister Establishes a New Dress Code for Business Men

The new Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, and his Greek government have established a new dress code for business men across Europe and the western culture.   

 And I trust it will be an extremely welcome one to most business men at least. The Greek politicians are disregarding the conservative suit and tie dress code of European politics, preferring a more laid-back style. Most of the Greek cabinet members have copied the much more informal and comfy dress code of their 40 year old leader who does not wear a tie even when dressed up in a suit.

 The new Greek Finance Minister, 53 year old Mr Yanis Varoufakis, is one of the biggest supporters of this informal dress code. He is almost seen as a rock star for his flamboyant fashion sense. He travels on a motorbike with a backpack slung across his back. He certainly does not wear ties and usually does not tuck in his shirt.  Recently, when he attended a meeting with the Ex-chequer, George Osborne, at Downing St in London, he was dressed in tight black trousers, an overly tight bright blue shirt and wore a knee length black coat which attracted a lot of attention with both positive and negative comments. Imogen Fox, reporter for the Guardian Newspaper said, “It was apparent from the photo call on Downing Street that we are witnessing a bit of a fashion moment.”

During his election campaign, Mr Tsipras pledged that he would don a tie when Greece achieved a debt reduction agreement. When he met recently with the Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, he was given an Italian tie which he suggested  he could wear when Greece resolved its financial crisis. 

The wearing of a tie used to be considered to be the way to impress especially in a business sense. But as a rule, most business men I know loathe wearing a tie. They feel ties very confining and not at all comfortable, especially those who live in hot climates.  I find most business men loosen their tie or take them off at the first possibility they have – as soon as they get home or even at official functions after the formalities have finished such as during a meeting or at  a wedding reception. I am of the opinion that most business men would condone a change to the formal dress code and would be keen to accept a more informal approach without having to wear a tie.

I am certain that business men everywhere would respect Mr Tsipra for setting off the acceptance of this more casual dress code trend.   Would you?

Social Media Has Transformed The Cycle Of Fashion Trends

Social media sites, in particular, illustrative sites such as Pinterest and Instagram have had a marked effect on the way fashion trends are set. 

Social media is a powerful tool which has revolutionized the cycle of fashion trends including fashion accessories  and handbags. Fashion trends are now set and approved by groups on social media who decide what they like and don’t like by expressing their wants and needs on specific social media sites. New fashion trends appear all day, every day. Luxury brands have to respond to this demand by manufacturing collections designed on the presentation of fashion trends found on  social media sites.


The consequence of this is that fashion trends traditional seasonal characteristic has vanished and has been replaced by a constant stream of innovative styles which can quickly go viral. However the fashion trends which go viral can vanish almost as quickly as they developed. Social media dictates the fashion trends of the day. But in contrast to the traditional seasonal cycle of fashion which lasted for some time, today’s trend can be here today and gone tomorrow.

In 1937, James Laver, the English author, critic, curator and fashion historian drew up a fundamental timeline of how fashion trends transform. According to Laver’s Law, when a trend is current, it is ‘smart.’ One year before this it is ‘daring.’   20 years later, it becomes ‘ridiculous.’ And 50 years was how long it took for fashion trends to begin to sneak back into style again.

Laver’s Law was relevant in the days when designers dictated fashion trends. Each season forecasters released books with predictions of the up and coming fashion trends. They predicted styles, colours and fabrics which would dictate the fashion trends into the future.  Manufacturers would then take up the challenge and bring these futuristic fashion trends to life.  This was a slow process which some times took several years for the model to reach the market. So it is no surprise that the turnover of new styles, colours and fabrics was reserved to a steady, seasonal pace.

Fashion trends had a traditional bi-annual cycle which sustained a fairly long and predictable life cycle.  But I often wondered about how these bi-annual cycles set by the luxury brands based in places like London, Paris and New York affected the fashion trends in places like Australia and NZ who have opposite seasons to Europe, the UK and the USA. The winter season in Australia is the summer everywhere else and vice versa.  How does the cycle work in countries where there is opposing seasons?

However in today’s environment, things are very different. Fashion trends are no longer dictated by the top luxury brands but by the consumer on social media. This together with the capacity of these top brands to mass produce products very speedily and cheaply means that manufacturers can get new fashion trends to on the shelves very quickly. Brands can respond to fashion trends recognized on social media very efficiently and have product ready for sale at the same time as the style is still hot to trot.  Brands and retailers have to be responsive in order to keep up with the demands on social media. They need to have a constant feed of product drops which meet the fashion trends dictated by the consumer on social media.

The understanding of fashion trends cycling and the whole nature of forecasting is now very changed. Designers now need to use inspiration and innovation to create fashion trends and unleash them on social media, then track them to see how they develop. Social media will dictate the fashion trends of today, but they do not predict the fashion trends of the future.

With the aid of social media, fashion trends are born and die a great deal faster than ever before. This more unstable, fragile market sees brands, celebrities, magazines, bloggers and end consumers on social media all try to gain influence over what is ‘in’ or ‘out’ of style.

But what are fashion trends? In the past they were mostly unaffordable styles created by luxury brands which appealed to the rich, the famous and the beautiful. Did fashion trends of former times really provide for the normal person with an everyday purse and common figure?  Personally I would say they did not. Fashion trends were something you read about in glossy magazines, saw celebrities wearing and which you dreamt about. But realistically you could not afford them and probably could not fit into them either.  Have you ever seen a size 18 in a Versace shop?

I often go with a very wealthy but extremely thin woman to view the latest releases at luxury brand shops such as Versace. The shop attendants are very focused on my friend and have a range of small sizes to fit her petite frame. However, I have a much more developed figure and in all my trips to these stores over many years I have never found clothing which would fit or suit me. These fashion trends are just not designed for me.

I believe that fashion trends set by the consumer have more chance of reaching the average consumer like me who wants to look stylish and trendy on a tight budget. Some brands such as Zara and H&M are focusing on the lower end consumer with a fuller figure and that is heartening.  The styles are also forever varying. Zara for example releases over 10,000 new designs annually.

It is vital for brands to work on their brand identity first and use fashion trends as q tool to create their designs. They should uncover the fashion trends that will add value to their brand, have staying power, and that can be leveraged in a specific market and consumer demographics. Brands must  work less on forecasting and more on responsiveness to the fashion trends set on social media.
Some of the traditional luxury brands and larger retailers like Marks and Spencers are still focused on the conventional cycle of seasonal runway shows and do not have the speed to respond to the changes demanded by social media fashion trends. But regardless of whether a retailer is working within the bounds of the traditional calendar, or is responsive to the whims of social media, brands must be kept alive and looking fresh all year round. 

Various fashion trends, in particular the really trendy ones, turn out to be short-lived. Others keep on evolving as they are more about lifestyle choices and style. Retailers are moving away from being trend-focused to being more lifestyle-focused and brand-focused. Fashion trends available on social media have the outcome of assisting people to choose what would look good on them and what and where they should be purchasing. With the advent of social media the consumer has become very knowledgeable and much more informed about the fashion trends which will go well with their personal style. Social media has definitely transformed the cycle of fashion trends.

Can you Safely Buy a High-Priced Luxury Handbag Online?

Designer handbags demand a high price, but there are huge savings to be made if you shop online

Prada

We all hope to have a high-priced luxury hand bag. Like celebrities, we all desire to have our wardrobe full of handbags to match all our outfits. Whether for business or pleasure good quality handbags are seen as a status symbol and they are the first step to achieving a great outfit.  But a luxury handbag doesn't have to be high-priced - just well chosen and well researched. You can get huge discounts on line.

 Gucci

Before the days of on line shopping we could buy a high-priced  luxury handbag in the stores owned by the luxury fashion houses themselves or a store owned by one of their franchisees or maybe at a large city department store. And we all paid very much for them. The price of an high-priced luxury handbag was well beyond the reach of the average working person. Let alone fulfilling our desire to have several of these great bags to complement each outfit. 

 Fendi

Even simple designer handbags demand a high price. Their price is not founded on the materials it is made from but on the logo it carries. The fashion houses such as Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent, Miu Miu and Versace have become so sought after and looked-for because they express a sense of vitality, art and kudos. This fascination with logos and branding has driven up the price of a luxury handbag to such an degree that they are not affordable to most. Till now anyhow!

 Miu Miu

For me to own such a bag was just a dream – a right reserved for royalty, celebrities and the very rich. I once purchased a fabulous Channel purse at a garage sale, only to find it was not the real thing, but other than that I have not been able to meet the expense of a luxury handbag. But things have transformed – I can buy the bag of my dreams online at a fraction of the cost I would have to spend in a brick and mortar store. It is a great deal cheaper to get an authentic luxury handbag online.

 Versace

But is it safe to buy a high-priced luxury handbag online? Internet scams are rife, so when procuring online you need to be very aware of fakes and replicas. Our fixation with logos and branding has led to the counterfeiting of designer products with a lot of faux handbags flooding the market, especially in Asia and online.

 Yves Saint Laurent

Faux bags have became commonly produced because  fashion houses have  moved  manufacturing  to third world countries like China where there is less control and fewer laws managing copyright infringement. Faux handbags have affected high end brands like Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent, Miu Miu and Versace and others. If you have visited a third world country like Bali or China you will be aware of the street hawkers who want to take you to a back alley store specializing in fake handbags.

Other Designer Brands

So if you intend to buy a high-priced luxury handbag online it is important to make sure you use a reputable supplier with a policy which prevents replica brands being sold.  Fake replicas do not hold the same value as the real thing and often the materials and the quality is poor. Do not waste your money on a high-priced luxury handbag only to find out it was not the real thing.

The Large Purse Shop has a policy which prohibits fakes to be sold so all products sold on this website are 100% authentic and are purchased directly from the designer brand. The Large Purse Shop also has an association with Amazon and has chosen the designer bags from their range to give you a wide choice of brands and logos.  So yes it is safe to buy your luxury handbags online from the Large Purse Shop or from the Fashion Accessory Shop.

Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry offers an inexpensive way to achieve a point of difference. 

 Costume jewelry is bold and distinctive. It conveys a sense about who the wearer is. People judge others based on their appearance and assume many things about that person’s personality, values, and beliefs based on how they are dressed. By carefully choosing what kind of costume jewelry to set off your outfit you can boost your confidence and play the part of who you are or who you want to be. It helps both guys and gals design their own sense of style, letting them to step out of the run of the mill and classify themselves as exceptional, confident, passionate, and interesting people. 

Men and women from all parts of the world, from all cultures and from all levels of society have been wearing adornment of some sort or other throughout the centuries. Various pieces of clothing and accessories are a sign of class as well as religious and cultural identities. People still use fashion accessories to show the world who they are and what they value or to indicate a persons rank and/or position in society. Costume jewelry is used to makes a statement.

 

Unfortunately though, some men and women steer clear of wearing bold accessories because they do not feel good about stepping out of their comfort zone. But costume jewelry can make a person feel good about them-self. Used appropriately it can add a bit of flamboyancy and elegance to your outfit and make you look and feel like a million dollars. 

  Costume jewelry exploits the aesthetic power of gemstones and crystals whether real or artificial. Gemstones and crystals are associated with special spiritual and physical properties which give gemstones meaning.  Gemstones may be birthstones and come in many different colors. They are superstitious and provoke emotional responses. For example, wear carnelian for courage: malachite for calmness; aquamarine for better communication. Gemstones are empowering.

 The most popular types of costume jewelry include bib necklaces, long necklaces, cocktail rings, chandelier earrings, cuffs and bangles. When choosing costume jewelry the following factors should be considered:

 Size Match

Costume jewelry is often large and pretentious. While it is intentionally big to draw attention to itself and the wearer, it should not be overbearing. Choose items which are in proportion to your personal size, because petite women may look absurd with overly large pieces.

 Color Match

 Costume jewelry is often very colourful and can be made from a single bold color or it can be multi-colored. Choose pieces which complement and match the color of your outfit. It is also a good idea to wear colors which contrast your outfit or which pick out a color you wish to highlight. The color can also be selected to match other accessories such as handbags, shoes and hats so that there is an obvious color theme.  

 Slant Match

 If the colors of your necklaces, earrings and bracelets you wear are similar but don't   match exactly, it is said to be a slant match. For example, copper and gold do not precisely match, but they look good together because although they are not the same color, but they are close enough to slant match. There is just enough difference between them to draw attention. So instead of just wearing a gold necklace with gold earrings and a gold bracelet, add a copper piece as well.

 Wear One Piece

 Unless it comes in a matched set, it is advisable to only wear only one piece of costume jewelry at a time. If wearing flamboyant earrings, wear a simple ring. If the necklace is bold and ostentatious, choose simple earrings such as small studs. Wearing too many big, bold pieces all at once can look a little showy and overdone. It is important to choose clothes and other accessories that are reasonably plain or tie in with the color scheme. Bangles are an exception to this rule. Multiple bangles worn together look very impressive.

Avoid  Clutter

 Make sure the costume jewelry and other accessories you choose does not add a sense of clutter to your outfit. It should complement your style and add glamour. It should not distract from your appearance or leave you open to ridicule. Choose pieces which color match your outfit and add appeal. Do not use multi-coloured pieces if your outfit is already busy with pattern and color.

Wear Vintage Pieces

 It may be easier to find a really unique vintage or antique piece. Vintage inspired costume jewelry, adds sense of sophistication and style.

 Match Makeup

 Keep makeup simple so as not to distract from your overall look. Makeup should be coordinated so it is consistent with your look. Although bold makeup is sometimes suitable, it is better worn with simple costume jewelry. There is nothing wrong with using bold makeup, but the rule "one at a time" applies here as well.

Match Clothes

 Don’t have too much going on all at once. Take advantage of the middle ground between plain and grandiose. If you are wearing costume jewelry it is best to avoid bold, attention-grabbing patterns. Wear simple, plain, pinstripes, and faded patterns. Conversely, when it comes to bold pieces in an outfit, less is definitely more.

Wearing costume jewelry allows both men and women to define their own style and stand out as individuals. Add flair to your look by wearing a well chosen piece to complement your outfit and make a statement about your fashion style.

Dressing For The Races

Tomorrow is Melbourne Cup Day in Australia,

 the Race that stops a nation.

Tomorrow Tuesday the 4th November of November is Melbourne Cup Day in Australia. The day the whole of Australia shuts down for a horse race. The day is given as a public holiday in the state of Victoria , but the rest of us Australians have to work. Well everyone attends work but do they work? Probably not! Their minds are probably on other things , like dressing for the races.

 

 



 

During the afternoon when the race is due to start, everyone in Australia will be watching a screen somewhere, somehow. The Melbourne Cup is a horse race that stops a nation. Well probably it stops two nations because New Zealanders are just as tied up with this race as their neighbours are. Many of the entries for the Melbourne cup are actually are bred and trained in that small country of New Zealand. Many Melbourne Cup winners have come from there, and New Zealanders are just as focused on dressing for the races as Australians are.

 

The Melbourne Cup is Australia and New Zealand’s major thoroughbred horse race.  It is a 3,200 meter race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and probably one of the richest turf races.

 

The Melbourne cup is held each year by the Victoria Racing Club at Flemington Racecourse.  The race starts at 3pm (daylight saving time) on the first Tuesday in November each year. And this has been  a nation stopper since 1861. Many a fortune has been won or lost on this race and dressing for the races is certainly a topic of debate long before the race begins.

 

Everyone looks forward to the race especially the socialites who dress up to the nines to attend. Dressing for the races is a major focus of the Melbourne Cup. 'Fashions On The Field' judges the best-dressed man and the best-dressed woman attending the race.

 

When dressing for the races there is a prerequisite for women to adorn themselves in outrageous outfits and flamboyant hats or fascinators. Many men and women plan their outfits for months. It is also a time you can show off fashion accessories to the fullest. Race day fashion more often than not attracts as much if not more attention as the race itself.

The revelry is not limited to the racetrack. Dressing for the races is a tradition no matter where you happen to be to enjoy the race. Celebrations are held all over the country on Melbourne cup day.  Businesses, offices, factories, hospitals, households close their doors and shut down their phone lines when the race is run and people flood in their thousands to gatherings, clubs and pubs to watch this prestigious race.

Bets are placed on the race in the TABS, and sweepstakes are held in just about every office and business Australia and across the ditch in New Zealand as well.

 I owned a business in the QVB located in the centre of the Sydney CBD. On Melbourne cup day I was fascinated by the ostentatious outfits worn to work by my customers. I watched with intrigue as the diverse hats and fascinators were worn to work for a day at the office and the Melbourne Cup celebrations. Then at 3pm you could hear a pin drop, the majesty of the QVB was ignored and  not a sound could be heard. But a trip over the road to the local pubs meets with crowds of excited people willing there horse to win. Dressing for the races, even if you only attend your local has become very much a norm on this extravagant day.

Dressing for the races is fun. This is one time you are allowed to express yourself and be as flamboyant as you want to be. Have you chosen your derby hat or fascinator or even a pillbox hat for the Melbourne Cup yet? A little late for this year but maybe you could purchase yours online now to be prepared for the 2015 race!! Of the Royal Ascot , or the Kentucky Derby, or whatever race you happen to attend.

Why Do People Wear Jewellery As A Fashion Accessory ?

People wear jewellery as a fashion accessory for both aesthetic and functional reasons and sometimes both!

 In fact costume jewellery is the easiest and cheapest way to dress up an outdated, simple or plain outfit, or to turn a stylish, trendy outfit into something truly outrageous and flamboyant! Costume jewellery is an inexpensive way to add a fashion accessory and can be designed to set off a particular fashion or style. It may be in the form of a colorful and showy necklaces, bracelets, brooches, rings, or earrings or it may just be a piece of an inexpensive fake gold chain or ring.

Expensive designer jewellery an also be worn as a fashion accessory. It is also worn to depict a persons status symbol, or as a symbol of cultural significance or religious statement. Wearing popular brands like Tiffany or Rolex often makes a statement about who the person is or would like to be.

Unlike costume jewellery which is often mass produced, designer jewellery are pieces that are more exclusive, unique and imaginative. Designer jewellery is a more creative and is often handcrafted by the artist himself. Because of the uniqueness of designer jewellery, more expertise and creativity is required in their manufacture. The designers and craftsmen put a great deal of effort and love into the final product. Each piece is a work of art.

Designer jewellery is more likely to be made of precious metals such as gold or silver and will consist of precious stones such as diamonds, rubies or emerald as well as semi-precious stones such as amethysts and pearls.

 

 Another style of jewellery worn as a fashion accessory is hip hop jewellery.  Hip hop jewellery is usually big and over the top, and often studded with diamonds both real and fake to give you the same custom designed look worn by top level, rappers and pro athletes.  Hip hop jewellery comes in many shapes and forms and  includes heavy gold, silver or platinum chains, watches, pendants, rings, earrings, crosses, cufflinks, belt buckles, jean chains and removable gold teeth grill.

From a functionality point of view, jewellery worn as a fashion accessory can be used for the following purposes. 

 

• Hairpins to keep hair in place. Hair pins can be plain and brownish in color to blend in with the hair and not be seen or decorative pieces of jewellery designed to add glamour to a hair style. Decorative hair pins are very popular with brides and are often worn instead of a veil.

•  Brooches to keep clothing in place. Decorative brooches add a touch of class and sophistication to any outfit. Worn on the lapels of jackets or on dresses they made of semi precious gemstones or diamonds or any other precious jewel. Traditionally large pins have been used to keep a kilt in place by Scotsmen for centuries.

•  Pins and medals are worn to indicate achievement or affiliation. Medals such as an Olympic Gold Medal or a nursing badge indicate outstanding sporting or academic achievement

•  School, college or university emblems or badges are a symbol of belonging to an educational or sporting group.

•  Tie pins are worn to keep a tie in position. Tie pins can be a simple or highly decorated piece of jewellery.

•  Cuff links are worn to do up shirt sleeves together. They are usually worn more on formal social occasions such as weddings and balls. They can be funky, plain, or elaborate pieces made from gold and diamonds.

•  Wristwatches or pocket watches are used as a time keeper.  Simple quartz watches are relatively inexpensive and keep accurate time. Mechanical watches are less accurate time keepers but have incredible social significance. Branded watches such as Cartier, Rolex or Tag Heuer are very popular with men and women alike as a sign of affluence, status and social standing.

•  Engagement rings are a mark of betrothal worn commonly by women and less often by men. Diamond rings are the most popular but almost any precious or semi-precious stone can make exquisite engagement rings.

•  Wedding bands are worn by both men and women are used to be a sign that they are married. They can be plain or elaborately decorated to indicate social status.

•  Some  jewellery symbolise  religion such as the Star of David for Jews; the Cross for Christians or Allah for Muslims

•  Some cultural jewellery is worn as a sign of ethnic or racial identity, such as the Tiki in the Maori culture in New Zealand.

•  Jewellery is also worn as a symbol of office for example mayoral chains or crowns and tiaras worn by kings and queens.

•  Amulets and  medals such as St Christopher medals are worn for protection

•  Some artists create jewellery it to show off their artistic designs.

•  Gold and diamonds and other precious stones  are seen as a sign of prosperity and affluence

•  People use jewels and gold for investment to store and protect wealth

•   In some countries such as, India gold jewellery is given as a wedding dowry to give wealth to the bride.

•  Jewellery, precious stones, gold and silver are traded as  a currency to purchase goods

No matter what its purpose it is good to have a few exquisite pieces of jewellery to wear to make you look beautiful and feel special. People wear jewellery as an adornment and as a fashion accessory. Statement jewellery such as rings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets beautify an outfit and make a statement about a person’s style. Wear jewellery as a fashion accessory as an easy way to dress to impress.