The Essential Accessories Guide for F/W19

From reimagined 20s hats to iconic 70s knee-high boots – this season, fashion accessories are a core element when it comes to completing any head-to-toe look. This season (Fall/Winter 19) has seen a retro trend-takeover, and we have highlighted the top five accessories trends that you should consider if you want to face the new season in style. 

Retro-chic handbags

The retro handbag continues to be a popular trend this season, with designers digging deep into their archives for inspiration. Jil Sander embraced the pinnacle of retro-chic with a classic frame bag whilst Hedi Slimane and Silvia Venturini Fendi revisited Celine and Fendi‘s archives and gave a nod to the creators of both brands by incorporating old-school designs into the current collection. Both designers offered an array of bags in classic brown and neutral tones. For Celine, simplistic and minimal designs were dressed up with chic retro prints whereas Fendi’s glossy chocolate leather bags featured an oversized version of the signature double F logo.    

Buckle up with your BFF

With this season being all about exaggeration and volume, our BFF accessory is the belt. The perfect companion to cinch the waist and emphasize those silhouettes. Rather than wearing the belt traditionally on the hips, instantly reinvent your outfit and feminize any look by wearing them on the waist as demonstrated at Versace and Marni. Take it one step further and take note from J.W. Anderson and Dior by structuring oversized coats, fluid dresses and boyfriend shirts with large statement belts.

A hat borrowed from Blair Waldorf

The bell hat made a return as an elegant-yet-retro alternative to the ever-present woolen hat. Each designer revived the iconic accessory from the 1920s in their own unique style. It’s safe to say Valentino‘s classic and romantic approach left us with a feeling of nostalgia for Gossip Girl, where we saw the bell hat become a staple piece of Blair Waldorf’s wardrobe. Nina Ricci opted for oversized styles in both neutral and vibrant colors whilst Anna Sui took a walk on the wild side.

Somewhere over the elbow

Except for the few who would rather go bare-handed during the fall/winter season, this year, fashion aficionados are opting for elbow-length gloves. Ann Demeulemeester, Off White and Kenzo all perfectly balanced a rock chic aesthetic by pairing this accessory with overflowing maxi dresses, tailored suiting and woven fabrics. For the winter, gloves are definitely the easiest and stylish piece to get your hands on. Bonus points if they allow for touch-sensitive technology.

These boots are made for walking

Our number 1 fashion accessory for this season and an absolute must-have is the over-the-knee boot, made popular by 60’s fashion idols Brigitte Bardot and Jane Fonda. Originally, this style of shoe was reserved for soldiers, until the aforementioned icons introduced them into the fashion sphere alongside other staple pieces such as the mini-skirt. Yves Saint Laurent  and Paco Rabanne also incorporated the over-the-knee boot into their collections, proposing a more luxe version, using materials like exotic skins and furs. Today, we see this particular style complement any ensemble by pairing them with anything from cropped trousers to knee-length (or mini) skirts and dresses – as displayed on the runway at Hermès, Balmain and Isabel Marant.

Yasmine Salam

Yasmine is a marketing and customer success consultant at Launchmetrics. Born in Paris and raised in the Middle East, she developed her passion and knowledge for the cosmetics industry between London, Paris and New York.
International Business graduate, she loves to discover the world and always has her camera at hand !