Teens have taken to fall’s Gothic moodiness, making skull motif jewelry, layers of leggings and fingerless gloves clear winners in the junior accessories category. And they are asking for more of the same for holiday.
“Teens are reading all the high-end fashion magazines; fashion is more accessible, and they are very sophisticated,” said Stacy Pecor, owner of the New York-based Olive & Bette’s stores. “They want the Goth and like long skull necklaces, but they are mixing it with girly things like flowers or a feminine cardigan.”
Jewelers like Gerard Yosca and Mia & Ko. have been promoting the dark motifs with spiders and skulls, respectively, while glove maker Carolina Amato is offering myriad fingerless knit gloves and gauntlets. Charm bracelets, such as those by Nine West and Satellite, remain hot.
Headbands are another big-ticket item for holiday. Stacy Lapidus’ thin headbands are girly but urban when wrapped with silk ribbon and pearls. Echo Design Group is offering evening-inspired versions in ruched velvet and lace.
“A headband is an easy and inexpensive way to look current,” said Lynn Roberts, vice president of Echo. “Individual style can be expressed by the style or pattern of headband.”
Belts are another burgeoning category; there are jeweled styles from Baby Phat and logo-laden versions from Coach.
As for bags, large and luxe leather styles are preferred for day, while wristlets and clutches rule the night.
“For holiday, teenagers are looking for bags in a couple of styles,” said Mark Talucci, chief executive officer and co-founder of The Sak. “They want bags that are functional and can be used on an everyday basis for going to school or hanging out with their friends. But they are also looking for bags that are stylish and can be used on special occasions.”