By Charity Brunson
This fall, accessories don''t just make the look, they are the look.
The minimalism dominant for so many years has been declared officially over by fashion magazines and retailers everywhere as they instead promote attention-grabbing, look-defining accessories.
Fall''s big accessories -- boots, scarves, jackets and hats -- help people feel warm and look hot.
'It seems like the small, square-toed shoes are coming back in,' said Jodie Madsen, 18, a freshman from Alpine, Utah County, majoring in communications.
This definitely applies to fall''s boots, as some students adamantly affirm.
'Platform boots are out. Throw them out of your closets. I mean, chuck them to the dumpster,' said Lynsay Humphrey, 20, a junior from El Dorado Hills, Calif., majoring in political science.
A purchase Humphrey did advise was a rabbit fur scarf, a sleek, stylish take on a winter necessity.
Of course, cold weather requires cool jackets, and the favorite is clear.
'I''ve noticed a lot of the long sweaters that go down to the knees. I love those,' said Sharilee Lovell, 21, a senior from Mesa, Ariz., majoring in elementary education.
Madsen said she agreed with this choice.
'Definitely the long knit jackets are the best because they''re warm and go with pretty much anything,' she said.
Sculpted hats, reeking of old Hollywood glamour, seem poised to upstage the requisite fall beanie.
However, in this case form comes before function -- this may not be the look for those trying to avoid chilly ears.
Color is another important factor to consider when choosing accessories.
'I would say that anything camel with gold accessories would be good for fall,' said Brooke Foulger, a senior from Potomac, Md., who embodies the fall look wearing a fitted white t-shirt, low-rise jeans, a brass-studded brown belt and camel, heeled boots.
The emphasis on gold also surfaces in gold make-up tones.
And hate it or love it, the cowboy look is big this fall, and what is a cowboy without a great, and great-big, belt buckle?
A funky belt was on the list of recommended fall buys offered by Heather Humphrey, an MBA student from El Dorado Hills, Calif..
For those who aren''t into the cowboy thing, funky can include punky studs, preppy stripes, rhinestones, grommets, or basically anything else that holds up your pants, makes you happy, and doesn''t involve braids.