Tribal Accessories

As a continuation of my post on the one of the most happening trends of the season – Tribal and Ethnic fashion, here is a post particularly dedicated to Tribal Accessories.

Mention the word tribal accessory and the first thing that will to anyone’s mind is big chunky necklace made of multiple rows of beads or a head dress with exotic feathers in it. All of us carry a couple of pieces of ethnic or tribal accessories in our wardrobe knowingly or unknowingly. It could be a chunky beaded necklace, silk thread bangles, a cowrie embellished belt, beaded footwear or a quirky tribal hair band. This season, the effort is to put wild pieces together with tame or boring clothing to create a statement making look.

Here’s a list of great picks that will help you put together your Tribal inspired looks with ease.

Beaded wedges: Wedges with beads anklet like straps are so in and are everywhere, so brownie points if your wedge has a distinct straw weave kind of a pattern. If you don’t have one, don’t worry. Buy a batch of stretchy beaded bracelets or anklets from a local store and bunch them up with a cord. Wear them at your ankles over your sandals, wedged or otherwise for a thrifty yet cool look.

Jute/ leather/straw bags with borders or patches: Mat style weaving is big in accessories this year. I guess keeping in with the summer beach looks; the shift is towards straw and coir woven accessories. A contrast color patch or trim on the bags make them look trendier. For those who think that straw will not go with your formal wardrobe, inject some tribal style by sporting a bag or shoe woven with straw or coir look alike leather. Bags and purses that are woven tactile skin and leather strips are high on the luxe list this year.

African style beaded neckpieces: even though it is summer, layering jewelry is really in. A beaded choker with multiple strands mixed with chains give ethnic a whole new meaning. Also African style beaded neckpieces make a big statement this year. Made from colorful seed beads, these neckpieces, cuff and earrings can make you go from drab to fab in seconds.

Painted/Fabric bangles: Bangles in silk thread or covered with fabrics that have calligraphic or floral prints are in trend now. If you have some old bangles, pieces of fabric and some glue, you can whip these bangles up, in minutes.

Tribal Geometry – Art Deco Style: In necklaces and wrist cuffs, Art deco style tribal geometry is brought about by the use of huge stones set in metal bezels and sheets. Semi precious stones like agate, tourmaline and Jasper are the must sought out jewels this year. If you are not comfortable with putting huge stones/cabochons on the necklines of your blouses (which is currently in trend) then a bib necklace made in the similar way could come to your rescue. This way you get to wear your precious blouse with and without the embellishments.