Resort Style Accesorize, by Sandra Berry, Los Cabos Magazine – Issue #12 – Spring 2007.
How much is too much? The object of accessorizing clothing is to enhance and complement. Generally, anything more than basic covering is considered an accessory, and often one simple accessory can be sufficient. Accessories have the power to create your own personal style.
Hot Trends for Spring
Hats are an up–and–coming fashion accessory, especially the visor style and the Oliver Twist schoolboy cap. Also popular are packable hats. “Since coming on the market, a hot item is the crushable raffia hat in different styles, colors, and shapes with or without decorated bands,” says Margarita Partridge, owner of Tropica Calipso Swimwear with locations in Las Tiendas de Palmilla and Plaza Puerto Paraíso.
Raffia hats can be rolled up or folded and stuffed into a handbag, beach bag or suitcase. Cabo Hats, also in Plaza Puerto Paraíso, specializes in hats of every type, color and style from western to sunbonnets. Large florals are a fashion addition to hats for spring.
With handbags, the question is, “Extra large or tiny?” Have it both ways. Oversize bags have lots of zippers, chains and tassels, and often have leather trim. On the other hand, with mobile phones and iPods shrinking in size, the bags in which to stow them shrink as well. Animals, sports, and zodiac signs often are the only decorations. These days, most handbags have a cell phone compartment.
Of new importance is the clutch, a real fashion accessory staple for the smart woman. Colorful clutch purses are made of folded and woven candy wrappers, the new–old method based on the ancient Mayan technique of binding everyday materials into handbags. It’s an age–old technique with a modern look that can be reasonably purchased on the beach. Show off to your friends back home who probably paid four times more money for the same look at an upscale department store. Not only are these bags eco–friendly, they are great bargains as well. You’ll also find vendors selling lovely, embroidered velvet evening bags with a shoulder strap that make excellent gifts. Totally unique handbags can be found at Pepita, a boutique in the upscale Las Tiendas de Palmilla, where the bags are hand–made, with no two alike. “They’re made by Mary Francis, and they’re whimsical, artsy and fun,” says Pepita. “It’s no surprise to see her designs on bags used by celebrities such as Jennifer Anniston, Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears.”
If you want leather, you’ve come to the right place. Many stores in Los Cabos specialize in leather goods. The leather of choice is exotic including crocodile, python and ostrich. And the leather can be either real or faux––with realistic patterns impressed into the leather. The Leather House has a wide inventory of handbags in ostrich, cobra and python. And don’t forget mens’ accessories. The Leather House also carries leather briefcases, billfolds and boots for men. Roger’s Boots is another “must” for boots, belts, sombreros and handbags. Both stores are located in Plaza Puerto Paraiso. Belts are high on the list of necessary accessories––and not merely to hold up a pair of pants. Also, there are scarf belts, belts made to look like chains, studded belts and braided belts.
Some of the hottest accessories in fashion are sunglasses. Women’s sunglasses have come a long way since the early 1900s. Some women have shades in various colors or styles to go with certain outfits. Popular styles are the sports glasses, mirrored aviators and those decorated with glitzy rhinestones. Men also have choices including catchy sports frames or with a racing motif. Keeping your sunglasses in a case––hard or soft, large or small––is an easy and inexpensive way to protect them. There are sunglasses and cases to suit your needs at such stores as Sunglass Island, with two locations: on Blvd. Marina, between L. Cárdenas and Matamoros, and in Plaza Puerto Paraíso.
Get High with Shoes
With hemlines rising to new heights, it’s only logical that wedge heels follow and the more extreme, the better, some even with a sense of humor. The heels are high and chunky and getting higher. They can be seen, tried on, and purchased at Zandalz in Plaza Puerto Paraíso. The platform is back (those that don’t remember the 1940s, they were “in” then). We’ve heard if we wait long enough, everything recycles itself, and if you save something long enough, it will come back into style. Back in the ‘40s and ‘50s, a well– dressed woman wouldn’t be caught going out without a hat, gloves, and stockings. Not that we need them in our tropical climate, but gloves are back. What is more glamorous than wearing a long, evening gown and long, white gloves?
The color for spring is lemon yellow with lots of black and white thrown in. The style trend is nautical, with blue and white stripes, lots of buttons, and naval braiding. And you can wear it everywhere in Los Cabos.
Jewelry, a Class All Its Own
Fine jewelry in gold, silver, diamonds, and precious stones can be found in abundance in Los Cabos. Diamonds International and UltraJewels come to mind. The ethnic trend is “in fashion” for 2007 with costume jewelry–– big jewelry made of natural materials such as wood, bone, and stone. Murano glass necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are “huge” this year. Bohemian crystal combined with other materials is very popular, but look for genuine crystal, not plastic, which will scratch and lose the brilliance that gives it its beauty. The price and weight are also clues to look for. If it is very light, it is surely not crystal. Some of these items can be found at the kiosk called “Something Special” in Plaza Puerto Paraíso.
Do accessories make the outfit, or does the outfit stand alone? It’s your choice. There are many options available, so have fun shopping in Los Cabos and in making your decisions for statement dressing.
