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A recent Mintel report published in March suggested that future pressure on personal income from external factors like increased living costs was going to have a dramatic effect on the retail sector. This squeeze on expendable income when combined with the economic slowdown (reducing the ability of manufacturers to secure low cost supply) would create a sea change in the women's outerwear market. The media reaction was swift, conclusive and edged with a foreboding sense of gravitas. It was the end of the "it" bag announced several publications. It was a clear signal, said the consensus, of the beginning of a new accessories epoch based on more austere, considered and budget conscious purchases.
However, further analysis of the research belies this notion of such a protracted downturn by revealing that expected growth in handbags, for example, is set to continue with UK sales reaching £553m this year. This is an increase of 18% on 2007. Not inconsiderable.
Indeed, the accessories market as a whole was worth £700 million in 2007 so there can be little doubt of its importance on the UK streets. What, then, are the current movers and shakers for this season and next? What of the men's market? And what opportunities does the demise of the expensive designer bags offer to the rest of the clothing sector? We had a look.
Belts
Belts. They tie everything together. Particularly applicable in the summer months when other like minded style spotters can see said accessory as it emerges from underneath your carefully constructed winter layers. This year there are myriad examples of interesting designs in the market at the moment for both men and women. In the ladies market we like the move toward single tone brown leather worked in interesting weaves and patterns.
ASOS.com deliver some great examples including the simple brown leather belt with a simple yet very effective three strand plait at the side. Still refined but bolder is the leather jewel buckle belt with a prominent rounded buckle feature set with faceted stones. Men get a more colourful offering with the fun square perforated belt (here in yellow, available in other colours) livening up more muted colour schemes and textures.
Shades
As the dark, dank dismay of winter thaws and the clouds part to allow us to bask in bright spring sunshine, no set up is complete without considering your sunglasses. Hey - they protect your eyes and they make you look good. What more could you ask?
Early style barometers suggest that big and oversized hasn't quite quit from last year. Black, chunky and plastic still appears to be relevant as are large opaque lenses but tortoiseshell and brown styling are also very high on the style list. The British based,
Italian inspired company Fabris Lane demonstrates the mood perfectly, with their Amber Demi Frame shades at £49 which also feature an interesting graded green lens.
Big is a concept that also stretches to the men's market and bally-well pleased we are too! Still in for SS08 is the ubiquitous men's aviator.
Again, the high street has some excellent quality example at prices that may appeal to the cautious 2008 shopper. John Lewis leads from the front demonstrating a gun metal double bridged example that at £20 will suit all of us with more than a little fly boy in them.
Bags
So with forecasts for this year at least remaining uber positive, there seems to be no let up for the bag buying Brit. One key look for the summer involves pastels and layering combinations of chiffon and rough edged jackets. This leaves the door open for the continuing nod toward the elegant clutch bag with both top end and the high street delivering some fine examples. In fitting with the upbeat assertion that the market for high end showboating is showing no immediate signs of slowing down Liberty of London have a fabulous collection of more sophisticated clutch or hand held's.
The ‘Ianthe' style soft pumpkin (the clue to the great shaping is in the name) has a matte finish with elegant embossed detailing. Silver studs and an intricately woven small rope handle and matching tassels completes the understated glamour. Perfect for a summer evening at the garden party. Or at a push, the pub. Retailing at £650 it's indicative that, as per Mintel forecasts, producers aren't showing too many signs just yet of reducing prices, and that demand for the top end products is still apparent.
Another fine example for the SS08 clutch look is the Marni satin clutch showing at net-a-porter. Retailing at £159 it has a minimalist, almost art deco theme to it with large coloured plaques and a bold bronze clasp. Combine with a plain dress it would be a great, simple style effect.
Alternatively a rougher, more ‘boho' styling has also been in prevalence early on this year. One sure fire accompaniment to this is the oversized bag which is still hanging in from last season. However, we like the slouchy rope handled shoulder bag at Pacha Accessories. The ‘washed denim' feel to the black canvas material, the hemp rope handle and abstract cherry detailing fit would fit the retro moods well.
Man Bags
But women aren't the only ones who recognise the great effect a well thought accessory can have to an outfit. Enjoying a long overdue resurgence is the market for bags for men. Or manbags if you will. A casual glance around reveals a plethora of stylish, bag based accessories.
City types may still favour the classic handled briefcase (though with soft leather becoming favoured as opposed to more rigid materials favoured in previous decades). No bad thing either; there are some modern takes on this formula that are consistent with one current vogue for the smarter, more tailored approach to the men's look this season.
The sleek black leather (or grey as shown here) canvas satchel at Matt Fothergill has a classic smooth finish with discreet symmetrical twin compact buckles and opts for a strap rather than a handle - the adjustable shoulder pad ensuring comfort for heavier loads.
More casual is the fabulously retro stressed leather satchel and messenger bags at Scaramanga. Available in small to large sizes, the satchel features symmetrical full length straps and a sealable buckled front pocket. The messenger bag has instead slightly wider dimensions and a large flap - all in the same great aged leather. These roomy sacks pay respectful homage to the iconic leather schoolbag and will be spot on for when the short sleeves and sunglasses start appearing in the coming months.
Jewellery
As the evenings get longer so the sleeves and necklines grow shorter. What more incentive is required to dive in with some bohemian bangles and a delicate and delightful necklace? Again ASOS.com covers this area of accessorising with aplomb and with excellent pricing ranges. Muted gold and browns tones continue with selections of bangles, both of chunky and slender varieties for the women. Coming in at under the £10 mark means that ruffled-yet-elegant look need not be prohibitively expensive.
So, pessimistic forecasts aside, even a brief journey through the world of accessories confirms there can be little doubt that the importance of accessorising continues unbound. In the
event the market or the mood finally dictates the move away from the high end then there will be, and already are, savvy retailers providing more modest offerings which are already showing signs of moving away from the more ostentatious throwaway culture embodied by the celebrity endorsed products. And maybe that's not a totally bad thing, either....
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