Fall 2014: It’s oversized yet feminine, bold but not brash, colorful but hardly tacky—and that goes for accessories as well as clothing.
Accessories make an outfit, and this fall’s bounty makes for some hard choices. To narrow it down, we posed a question to nine fashionable women: If you could only buy one accessory this season, what would it be, and why? Consider their answers your field guide to this season’s best add-ons.
A Chloe Blanket-Cape
“It’s very splurge worthy—there were a lot of runways doing a lot of styling with blankets,” saysMallory Ulaszek, co-owner of the late Roam in Old Town and now co-founder of Presence, a media production agency in Chicago. “It’s a great transitional style piece—you’re not wearing the jacket, you’re not wearing the winter coat—and it can transition into the colder season.” (Pictured top right: Chloe Alpaca-blend blanket cape, $4,695, Net-A-Porter)
A Shinola Watch
“It’s a little bit menswear-inspired, glam-meets-grown-up look,” says Kelsey Kreiling, Ulaszek’s business partner in Roam and also Presence. “A blue band is a really nice color—I’m a big fan of grays, neutrals and blacks in winter and fall, so I’m always looking for a pop of color.”
The Runwell 41mm, $800, Shinola
Oversize Clutch or Handbag
Kelly Golden, owner of Neapolitan boutique in Winnetka, says, “You’re going to use it every day and it’s a great investment because people will see it. We have several clutches from Pierre Hardy andDerek Lam in bold colors and textured fabric. They are new and fresh and perfect for fall.”
Derek Lam oversize clutch, $1,295, Neapolitan
A Perrin Paris “Travel” Clutch
Sharon Watrous and Carrie Cane, owners of Chalk Boutique in Evanston, love the travel clutch for its simplicity. You can throw it in your day bag as your wallet, and then grab it when you park the car to run errands.
Perrin Paris clutch, $675, Chalk Boutique
Long Gold Necklaces
Ellen Stirling, owner of The Lake Forest Shop in Lake Forest, recommends wearing several gold necklaces in different lengths to crate a textured look. “They really do accessorize you—they’re light and flattering and finish you off in the best way,” Stirling says.
Stephanie Kantis necklaces, prices vary, The Lake Forest Shop
Flats and Chunky Square Heels
“Definitely a flat, and the hottest looks are flats with leopard print and houndstooth and crowned on the toe with signature logos, buckles and bows,” says Luanne Eng, Macy’s By Appointment manager at Macy’s Old Orchard. “The shoe we all thought only grandma would wear, with a chunky square heel, is back, but its new look is in leopard and suede and shiny gold heels.”
Top: I-N-C International Concepts tasseled leopard-print flats, $80, Macy’s; Bottom: Style & Co. suede-trimmed flats, $49, Macy’s
Chanel Quilted Moto Boots
“We are both always in search of the perfect fall boots. The Chanel quilted moto boots scream ‘Fall 2014’ because they take us back to the days of ‘90s grunge,” say Brielle Buchberg and Lindsay Segal, owners of Luxury Garage Sale in Chicago. “And leather is always a fall staple.”
Chanel moto boots, $550, Luxury Garage Sale
