Accessories loom large in 2019

If your handbag cannot pass as hand luggage at airport security, you’re definitely on-trend for 2019.   Although mini bags will still be around, the “it” pieces will definitely be supersized.  The same goes for jewelry, and even shoes and sandals have stacked-up heels and soles.  Hats also join the race for the largest and micro-lenses will be eased out by super sun shields.

The nostalgia felt on the runways creeps into bags with the reissue of bestselling styles from yesteryear and a longing for holiday getaways and exotic cultures inspires fun accessories.  Femininity reigns with lots of fringes and feathers.  Just as boiler suits and athleisure garments have dominated the runways, utility is a major trend that can be seen in the design of double bags and the carryover of the belt/bum bag from the past season. 

Supersized totes

There will be enough space to bring everything one needs from sunup to sundown with the extra-large totes available, from the foldable triangular model at Akris and sleek, clean lines at Tom Ford to Versace’s neon transparent wonders and Etro’s nautical denim patchwork.  

Fendi

Double bags

Hardworking girls carrying two or more bags on their daily commute are the inspiration for the double-bag phenomenon that Chanel adopted with their classics, at Gucci where the croc totes are livened up with whimsical fruit print purses, and Fendi where leather bags can have a clear, protective case with additional purse pouch.

Clockwise from upperleft:Jil Sander, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen, Dior, Zimmerman, Saint Laurent

The highest heels

Heels go sky-high this season: platform chunky in satin at Miu Miu, crystal disco glam at Saint Laurent, pointy and flared-heel metallic at Rochas and spiky stiletto at Alexander McQueen.   The sandal reaches geta proportions at Jil Sander, Salvatore Ferragamo and Paco Rabanne.

Clockwise from upperleft:Chloe, Gucci, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Hermes, Arthur Abesser

Double-sized jewelry

“If it doesn’t call attention, don’t bother” seems to be the dictum for jewelry this year, as seen in the humongous earrings at Balmain, Balenciaga and Givenchy; the necklaces at Marc Jacobs and Hermes; bangles at Rodarte and rings at Andrew Gn.  When the necklaces were not super-large, they would be stacked in multiples at Chanel, Gucci and Alexander McQueen.

Clockwise from upperleft: Dior, Gucci, Rick Owens, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada

Spectacular spectacles

If micro glasses were the must-have last year, this time bigger is best with the sun shields at Dior, Gucci and Rick Owens.  Prada has spider-woman shades, while Dolce & Gabbana has Madonna lenses and Givenchy’s version is dripping with crystals.

Clockwise from upperleft:Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Michael Kors, Stella Jean, Monse

Holiday spirit

Holidays in beaches and faraway lands will always be on your mind with the must-have accessories on offer: bags in raffia, straw and other natural fibers are supersized and frilled at Jacquemus and Michael Kors, daintier at Dolce & Gabanna and Oscar de la Renta and crocheted with a boho vibe at Altuzarra and Loewe.   Exotic ethnic weaves can be seen at Dior and tie-dye at Prada. 

Gucci goes on theme-park holiday mode with their Mickey Mouse purses. Shoes have the same spirit with net and shells at Altuzarra, raffia fringes at Stella Jean and resort striped scarves at Monse.  

With jewelry, the California surfing vibe was alive and well at Michael Kors with their shell-shaped rings and pendants and at Etro with shell earrings and pendants.   Boho lives on with gypsy jewelry at D&G and Ralph Lauren.

Clockwise from upperleft:Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Balmain, Gabriella Hearst, Versace

Retro bags

The nostalgia wave has fashion houses reissuing or reinventing their archival pieces like the Fendi Baguette, the Dior Saddle and box bags at Louis Vuitton and Balmain. Vintage top handles appear at Marc Jacobs and Gabriella Hearst. 

Jacquemus, Fendi, Louis Vuitton

The active life

Hardworking accessories are a must for the contemporary woman. No wonder the belt bag is still on the runways this year, although in sleeker, more elegant versions: chain-linked at Burberry, handheld at Louis Vuitton and with cuteness overload at Jacquemus.

Electronic gadgets figure prominently with the iPad attachment for bags and iPhone attachment for boots at Maison Margiela.  Nods to the active lifestyle are ever-present with athleisure ice skating-blade heels at Prada and trainer-soled Mary Janes at Maison Margiela. The ease of slip-ons makes the mule a sophisticated footwear alternative, with pointy ones at Erdem and chunkier versions at Chloe and Versace.

Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Gucci

Feminine Frills

Just like with the clothes, you can go fancy with the accessories, from beribboned heart clutches at Balenciaga to flowery bags at Dolce & Gabbana.  Shoes are ultra-feminine as well with lace at Christopher Kane and Fausto Puglisi and feathers galore at Dries Van Noten, Prabal Gurung  and Valentino.  Heels are tasseled at Oscar de la Renta. 

The dainty headband is a big story this year with Prada having numerous exaggerated versions in satin, Dior in ballerina mode and Simone Rocha, D&G and Gucci all bejeweled in royal, crowning-glory fashion.