Patent leather continues to be popular in shoes, handbags and other accessories. This summer, add a patent leather belt to your outfit for a boost of shine.

Glossy patent belts come in an array of sizes from micro-thin to super wide. If you are thick or short waisted, forget about a wide belt and stick to something 1-inch or thinner. If you want to draw attention away from your waist, wear your belt a little lower than your natural waist line.

Here are a few patent leather belts that are worth considering. They are both stylish and affordable. And each of these patent belts has something a little unique about it.

Patent Leather Sash Belt
This thick belt has a sash look that would look great over a dress or even to cinch a tunic. You get it on sale right now at Neiman Marcus for $175.

Crinkle Patent Leather Belt

Crinkle Patent Leather Contour Belt
This belt is thin in the front and thick in the back for a unique twist. It’s available in white or black crinkled patent leather. Get it at Nordstrom for $78.

Cynthia Rowley Blue Belt

Cynthia Rowley Patent Leather Belt
This skinny bright blue patent leather belt is hot accessory when paired with white summer fashions. It’s marked down at Nordstrom to under $25.

To complete your look, add a pair of slick patent leather sandals and a patent clutch for some extra summer glamor.

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White is one of the freshest shades of summer, evoking clean and peaceful thoughts. It’s also the perfect color to accessorize, lending itself perfectly to almost any color or shade you can imagine. Enter turquoise, one of nature’s most perfect stones, the perfect summery color to show off your favorite whites.

To pair your outfit with turquoise, choose a white shirt in any style. For a long, flowing turquoise necklace and loose earrings, consider a boho-style top or off-the-should, form-fitting incarnation. Choose your chain wisely: if your top is a v-neck, or opens at the top, make sure that the chain is at least 3-5 inches longer, brushing up against your belly button. For understated style, find a turquoise choker, and pair it with an elegant white top, like a sexy tunic or empire-waist romantic type. Whatever your summer style, play it up.

Turquoise is a beautiful gemstone, but it doesn’t always have to be expensive. Check out online discounters, like Overstock.com, and search eBay with a vengeance. You’ll find incredible deals and, even better, eclectic styles that will complement your clothing and your personality. In fact, scouring the internet for turquoise jewelry will likely yield you some of the best fashion finds of the summer, and allow you to stand out from the crowd.

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A purse can mean so many things — fashion statement, stylish accessory, social status symbol — and now, it can help you save the environment. And while that may sound completely unfashionable, buying one of Heather Rose’s eco-friendly handbags will provide you with a perfect accessory and talking point wherever you take it.

Rose is the founder of Rain forest Awakenings, an organization that is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Panamanian rain forest, supporting indigenous tribes, and empowering youth. In addition, Rose works with the Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (National Environmental Authority) and the Asociación de Amigos y Vecinos de la Costa y la Naturalez (Friends and Neighbors of the Coast and Nature Association) to sell her handbags.

The handbags are made from plastic bags found in the coast waters of Panama, and each take about a month to be designed and woven. In addition to helping the environment, Panamanians can collect a small wage for bringing in each bag, and those that weave them receive a small salary, as well.

Help clean up the Panamanian coastline, employ deserving Panamanians, and tote a bag that is not only beautiful, but ecologically conscious. And the next time someone asks you who designed your bag, you’ll have a great story to tell.

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One of the easiest ways to update your look it by adding a new, trendy purse to the ensemble.

This season you’ll want to pare down your purse from those huge over sized carryon pieces to something much smaller. The clutch is making a come back, both a traditional clutch and one with a wrist loop. This makes hauling all of your junk around a little more difficult but slims up your silhouette for the summer months.

Look for a purse with lots of texture. Alligator and ostrich are really hot but snake, patent and super soft leather are more than acceptable. In fact, pairing two contrasting textures together will draw even more attention that just one alone.

Color isn’t as important this season in handbags as long as you incorporate some color. This means that the neutrals are out of style and you’re much better off pairing a red or lime green bag with your outfit than a nice neutral tan or white.

The best part about moving away from the over sized bag to the tiny clutch is that you can once again match your shoes to your purse. It’s really all about the accessory this season and bringing two great ones together in one big statement says more than the rest of the outfit.

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If you are headed to the pool or beach undoubtedly you will want to look hot while keeping cool. Beachwear isn’t all about swimsuits. Fashion only begins with bikinis when you are at the pool or beach. To look good and attract the attention you deserve, you need to accessorize well.

It’s a wrap

When you get out of the water, you should put something on other than a terry cloth towel or sweatshirt. Cover-ups and wraps come in a wide variety of shapes, styles and fabrics. Here are some of the popular sexy swimsuit cover-ups this season.

Sarongs
A sarong is like a wrap-around skirt that features a sexy slit in the front. It can be short (mini-skirt length) or hit well below the knee. A sarong will give you a little extra coverage while you are walking around and socializing at the beach.

Pull-overs
Pull-over cover-ups don’t have to be thick and bulky. Some of the best cover-ups are those that are sheer, see-through fabric so that you can show off some skin. Pull-over usually fall to the upper thigh.

Button-downs
Like an oversized button down shirt but a whole lot sexier is the button-down cover-up. These shirts fit a little loose and are made of thin or sheer fabric. Like pull-overs, these normally fall to the upper or mid thigh.

Put on your shades

For a little Hollywood glamor at the pool or beach, put on a pair of oversized sunglasses. Big, bold sunglasses are popular everywhere. Celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Eva Longoria are always wearing their oversized sunglasses. But big shades aren’t just for the celebs. Everybody from teenagers to soccer moms are wearing them.

Here are a few of my favorite oversized sunglasses this season.

BVLGARI Oversized Square Sunglasses
These fabulous sunglasses feature crystal-studded logo details and lots of style. I like the square shape of these glasses – it’s a little bit different from the norm. These glasses from BVLGARI Eyewear are available at Nordstrom for $475.

Tom Ford Oversize Dégradé Bamboo Frame Sunglasses
These sunglasses feature bamboo-like detailing and gradient lenses in several colors. These sunglasses are stylish and chic without being completely overwhelming. You can order these oversized sunglasses for $400.

Steve Madden Oversized Square Sunglasses
You can be stylish without spending a fortune. For a much more affordable option, check out these Steve Madden sunglasses. These glasses feature square red plastic frames. They offer 100% UV protection and include a case. These Steve Madden sunglasses are only $36 at Macy’s.

Giorgio Armani Gemstone Sunglasses
On the opposite end of the spectrum are these black oversized sunglasses from Giorgio Armani. These glasses feature obsidian gemstones temples. The sexy design will be turning heads all summer long. You can get these Giorgio Armani sunglasses at Neiman Marcus for just under $700.

Morgenthal Frederics Oversized Sunglasses
These sunglasses manage to look brainy yet sexy at the same time. These oversized sunglasses from Morgenthal Frederics offer a unique shape and come in Tokyo tortoiseshell, coffee (brown) with bubblegum (pink trim), or black plastic frames. These sunglasses are also at Neiman Marcus and are priced at $360.

Jeweled sandals

If you are headed from the beach to a seaside bar or restaurant, you won’t want to be caught in rubber flip flops – so tacky! Instead you should put on a pair of jeweled sandals with a flat or very low heel. These sandals are a great choice for any summertime event from a backyard barbecue to an outdoor music festival.

Valentino Jeweled Thong Sandal
These black patent sandals are embellished with clear beige rhinestones. The silhouette is very simple but the style is very elegant. These Valentino sandals are available at Neiman Marcus for $595.

Stuart Weitzman Jeweled Wedge Thong Sandal
These sandals come in dark gold or black patent leather and feature rows of square and round jewels. The little wedge heel is a nice alternative to a completely flat shoe. These thong sandals from Stuart Weitzman are $285.

Beverly Feldman Savannah Gold Nappa Thong Sandal
These sandals are adorned with a gorgeous crystal medallion. These shoes would be perfect for a summer party or anytime you want to show off your feet. You can get these Beverly Feldman sandals online at Dandelion Feet for $212.

Valentino Fuchsia Jeweled Thong Sandal
This gold laminated leather sandal features a fuchsia stone as its focal point. The cute buckled slingback style and thin straps make this a very feminine, delicate choice. These Valentino sandals are at Neiman Marcus for $495.

Tote bags

Make a statement at the beach or pool with your bag. Your beach bag should be big enough to carry your sunscreen, towel, magazines, cover-up, shoes, cell phone, makeup bag and other essentials. Look for big tote bags in bright colors and interesting prints. Here are a few of my favorite summer tote bags.

“La Playa de Betsey” Large Tote
Check out this adorable tote bag from Betseyville by Betsey Johnson. This woven straw tote feature embroidered flowers and pom-pom trim. This tote bag comes with either gold or silver handles and trim. You can get this fabulous bag at Macy’s for $110.

Lucky Brand Jeans Painted Bare Feet Tote
This tote bag from Lucky Brand Jeans is built for the beach. The striped canvas tote features a beach mat and plenty of room. This bag comes in a colorful pink and green striped print or a multi-colored floral motif. You can grab this bag from Macy’s for $148.

Juicy Couture Go Green Tote
This natural cotton canvas tote bag encourages you and everyone else to go green with the big recycle heart print. You can order this eco-friendly bag from Neiman Marcus for just $75.

Tommy Hilfiger Regatta Graphic-Floral Tote
This tote is slightly smaller for than the others, but perfect for a summer party, concert or other event. The allover tropical floral print really stands out. This Tommy Hilfiger bag is $59 at Macy’s.

Kate Spade Orchard St. Rae Tote
If you are looking for a high-end tote that is deep and roomy, consider this green calfskin leather tote bag from Kate Spade. This bag features a slick, iridescent patent leather finish and 14k white gold hardware. This luxurious bag isn’t built for sand but it would still look great this summer. You can get this bag for $625 at Nordstrom.

Protect your skin

Skin cancer is not joke. We all want a great tan but don’t risk it with overexposure to the sun. Instead try self-tanning sprays or lotions to get a golden glow. Your face can get sun-kissed color everyday by using a bronzing powder. Apply bronzer to your forehead, nose, chin and cheeks for summer color without the sun.

While you are outdoors this summer protect your skin with sunscreen SPF 15 or higher. Use cosmetics with SPF for daily protection. You should also wear a hat or other head covering to protect your scalp and hair if you are going to be the direct sunlight for long periods of time.

Have a fabulous, fun summer!

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One of a woman’s best secrets to accessorizing is her army of belts, that come in all shapes, colors, fabrics, sizes, and styles. We can match or purposely clash, dress an outfit up or take it casual, show off a funky style or strive to conform with the belt of our choice. Though not always necessary and often unused, belts are one accessory that every woman should use to her advantage.

Begin by sizing up your outfit and determining what’s missing. If you want to add pizzazz, try pumping up the excitement by adding a brightly-colored or sequined belt. Don’t forget to check out your belt loops and determine the widest belt your outfit can accommodate.

When accessorizing, always remember that your belt should accentuate your outfit, not just blend in. Show off your tiny waist, or drop the waistline to pull eyes away from a problem area. And, in one of today’s hottest fashions, consider drawing eyes upward to just below your bustline, emphasizing your curves and drawing attention to your decolletage.

When stocking up on belts, make sure to buy wide and narrow styles in many different colors and fabrics. Purchase belts you know are just for fun, and ones you know can be worn to work. In addition, buy several that you can wear over your shirt, and don’t hesitate to do so. Belts are a great accessory, so take advantage of today’s modern movement, and belt up.

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Though the saying promises that “April showers bring May flowers,” we all know that heaven’s floodgates don’t turn off on May 1. Though the rains may slow down in frequency, spring’s greenery comes thanks to generous rain, and summers across the country are accented by spectacular lightening light shows and torrential downpours. With this in mind, every girl needs to prepare herself with the proper arm candy – a fashionable, but functional, umbrella.

Depending on your personal style, your umbrella choice can range from jack-of-all-trades to accessory to your outfit. If you’re of the mind to buy just one umbrella that will work with anything, consider a classic, but fashion-forward, black-and-white stripe umbrella, like this to-die-for Pare*Umbrella version. Another trendy style that will go with every outfit is the ever-refreshing clear “bubble” umbrella, which is afforded a longer profile thanks to its transparent material. For a classic clear umbrella, check out Urban Outfitter’s affordable version.

If style is your middle name, consider purchasing several umbrella fashions to choose from before running out the door. Above-mentioned Pare*Umbrella has several truly fashionable umbrella models, designed to make a statement and complement your outfit perfectly.

Don’t let this season’s rain be the bane of your existence. Instead, enjoy the sound of water droplets on the roof and, when it comes time to brave the great outdoors, deck yourself out in the most fashionable umbrella possible.

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Let’s blame Johnny Depp, but hats are all the rage for men in 2008. Johnny looks fabulous in a hat and so do a lot of men, as long as they’re not baseball caps.

Taking advantage of that hat trend is Italian milliner, Roberto Manzoni Ravenna a well known leader in design and style. Roberto Manzoni began his career almost forty years ago in Ravenna where he eventually established a shop that specializes in men’s hats, but features a wide array of top end merchandise. The philosophy behind his current product is the upholding of tradition, the attention to detail and commitment to a quality product.

Winter and fall hats are an obvious choice, but men that can carry off a stylish summer and spring hat move high in the ranks of fashion. Selecting your hat for the warmer seasons should be done with appropriate consideration for the weather, your lighter fabric weight and colors and your activity level. Lean toward lightweight materials in softer colors that support your standard dress without clashing.

A classy dresser uses a hat as an accessory, not as the focal point of their outfit. RMR’s collection of hats and caps for the 2008 summer season features a wide range of stylish products that lend class and elegance to any summer menswear outfit.

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Spring is just around the corner and with it, a big bright sun that will keep your skin bronzed and your eyes squinted. You know what that means: it’s time to shop for sunglasses. But with all the styles out there — oversized, wraparounds, neon frames, and more — it’s hard to tell what is both trendy and flattering to your face.

As any fashionista knows, what started as purely a way to protect our eyes has morphed into a fashion that asserts our individuality and accessorizes our style. That’s why Style.com has a list of the six hottest trends in sunglass fashions.

Aviators mirror the style of the Ray-Ban lenses first produced in the 1930′s and used by pilots to shield their eyes. If you need an aviator icon, just picture Tom Cruise in Top Gun.

Jeweled sunglasses first emerged in the 1950′s, looking like you brightest frames had been attacked by a Bedazzler. Today, they can be as toned down or bright as you like.

Cat eyes or butterflies are the kind of sunglasses that you’d find decorating the eyes of Grace Kelly or Sophia Loren. This retro style is both sophisticated a cool, and are perfect for taking a sunbath by the pool.

Learn more about sunglass styles and fashion tips at Style.com’s Anatomy of a Classic: Sunglasses.

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Throw that itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny yellow polka dot bikini in the trash (or at least the back of your drawer) for the 2008 beach season. The thong and Speedo can go there as well. This season a little modesty has returned to the beaches as the one piece swimsuit comes back in vogue. This forgotten staple of our youth has returned with a vengeance and you

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