Accessories offer a perfect way to update your clothes - a new handbag can transform last season's outfit without breaking the bank. SARAH HEANEY, presenter of Scottish Television's news programme Scotland Today, has tracked down the hottest new styles to match the latest High Street fashion trends
I ADMIT to having a few vices but the one that I couldn' t live without is shopping ... whatever the time of year. Like most women I love it, especially if I feel a little low, for a spot of retail therapy is just the ticket.
The only problem is that over the years I've discovered I always go home with exactly the same thing - black trousers, black shirt, black this, black that.
Hmmmm, maybe I should think about introducing a bit more colour to my wardrobe.
But you know girls, the reason I keep homing in on black is that black is so chic, so slimming and it's the only colour that looks expensive - even when you've only paid buttons for that top.
So stick to black if that's what makes you feel good and, remember, accessories are a great way to update, change and add a splash of colour to your clothes.
I said shopping was my worst vice but to narrow it down I'll admit to being a compulsive bag buyer (along with the dozens of shoes I buy every year which I've already fessed up to in this column).
No matter how fat you get, your feet don't put on a pound and if you squeeze yourself into a size 12, 14 or whatever, avoid the depression, stop beating yourself up and buy high power led bulbs a pair of shoes ... and then a bag to go with them.
I have around 30 bags ... mmm, maybe just a few more! I adore them - big, small, tote, shopper, clutch, satchel, duffel - you name it, I have it. They vary in price from pound sterling20 right up to ... well, let's not talk money.
We know the fashion industry is cunning, lulling us individuals into buying the 'must-have' item of the season, the latest this or that. Yes, I am a sucker for all that and have fallen for that yarn many a time.
This year is no different. I had a recent flying visit to New York and, for me, Fifth Avenue is a shopping mecca ... especially if you're after some new bags to add to the collection. So I breezed into Christian Dior and purchased a saddle bag - a must-have item.
I don't think it was my best buy. I've only used it a couple of times and now it's lying at the bottom of my wardrobe along with my other 'must-have' bags by Gucci, Tod, Hogan, Donna Karan, Armani, Ungaro and Louis Vuitton.
led flexible stripsNever mind, I could open a shop if I quit newsreading.
Have I learnt from my mistakes? Has it stopped me lusting after the latest Bottega or my friend Mrs Fraser's fab black ruched leather bag from Jean-Claude Jitrois, as featured in Vogue, or her daughter's Bulgari shopper?
Of course not. Because if you're into bags then you've just gotta have them.
This season's hottest accessory is the new-look leather embossed bag which looks quite ethnic. Add fringes and embroidery to some suede and you've got another look. New York was full of them - you couldn't get into Bloomingdales or Macy's for them - and now there are loads of fantastic cheaper versions in the High Street over here, at very affordable prices.
FAITH, Next and Pied Terre are all very tempting with a wide range of large and small bags
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