This is an archive trend report from the Fall Winter 2009/2010 season.
Accessories that season went big. Where the clothing was restrained and practical, the accessories carried the drama, which is a familiar pattern when budgets are tight: a statement necklace changes an outfit for a fraction of what a new coat costs.
Gloves
Leather gloves are a permanent staple, and that season they came in a wide range of colors, shapes and designs. Genuine leather is the buy that lasts several seasons.
Suede was also prominent, in classic blacks, browns, tans and rusts, alongside olive greens and purples. Cognac was one of the season’s favored shades.
Statement jewelry
Jewelry was huge, chunky and deliberately oversized. Statement necklaces, Art Deco pieces, bold bracelets, brooches, pins, rings, earrings and fur clips all featured, in a wide range of colors.
One caution from the season is worth repeating: petite frames need more care with scale here. An oversized piece that reads as bold on a taller frame can overwhelm a smaller one.
Vintage
The vintage look remained the most sought-after direction. Pearls, sparkling crystals and costume gemstones were all in use.
The interesting move was mixing rather than matching: combining older pieces with contemporary ones, so the result reads as a deliberate fusion rather than a period costume.
Tribal
Chunky tribal jewelry in dark, deep and vibrant colors, used to add color into an otherwise sober winter outfit.
Chains
Chains ran through most designer collections that season, and the technique is one you can use with pieces you already own.
A single rope necklace doubled or tripled produces multiple strands. Two or three opera necklaces worn together do the same thing. Gold, silver, rust, copper and bronze all worked, and the sensible approach is to choose the metal that suits your skin tone rather than the one that is fashionable.
Multiple chains also appeared on footwear, bags and belts that season.
Bags
Suede and leather made the most classic pieces, and mock croc patent leather handbags with buckle fastenings were widely seen.
The bohemian direction dominated: earthy, rustic color palettes and unconventional shapes. Tan, brown and black produce the casual version, and fringing pushes it further toward the wanderer look.
Bags with unusual shapes, braided straps, large buckles, big pockets and applied embellishment were all prominent. Chain bags, following the influence of the Chanel 2.55, were a defining piece.
Gypsy and bohemian belts
Belts carrying beads, stones, studs, coins and applied embellishment, worn over tucked-in sweaters, cardigans and jackets.
This is the cheapest single change in the whole season. A decorated belt over an existing sweater produces the look without buying anything else.
Hosiery
Ripped stockings were part of the season’s bolder looks.
Frequently asked questions
How do I layer chains without buying more?
Double or triple a single rope necklace, or wear two or three opera necklaces together. Both produce the multiple-strand effect.
Does chunky jewelry suit everyone?
Scale matters. Oversized pieces can overwhelm a petite frame, so choose a smaller version of the same idea rather than avoiding it.
What metal should I choose?
Whichever suits your skin tone, rather than whichever is fashionable. Gold, silver, rust, copper and bronze were all in use that season.
See also the season’s color trends and key looks.
