So now that you've found yourself the perfect swishy skirt for 2008 you're probably thinking help, shoes, bag, jewellery... what do I do about accessories? How do I pull the look together? Never fear! Below are a few key tips on what to look out for and how to use this season's key pieces...

Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise!
However, before you start donning accessories galore, let's get a little more aquainted with their purpose. I've found two useful definitions of the word. The first is from the Encarta English Dictionary: "an optional part that may be fitted to something to perform an additional function or enhance performance". The second is a fashion take on the definition by the International Herald Tribune: "an item of clothing that is worn or used for fashionable effect with an outfit." Both these definitions are important in understanding the most important function of an accessory: Pulling together a look.

Accessories are not essential but they are the key to understanding a look, and more importantly, they give it a context or, simply put, they date a look. Accessories are all about keeping your look current, and on par with fashion trends. In fact, my favourite piece of advice for all my clients is that the quickest way to update your wardrobe, without even looking at the clothes, is simply to invest in a few new pairs of shoes, bags and belts, and hey presto, you've transformed that "bobbe" outfit. So, then on with today's lesson. The hottest accessory trends for 2008 are... patent (and more patent), metallics but new shades and sheens, and fabulous celestial jewellery.

Patent is so hot right now!
Bags, belts, shoes and coats... any of you who did a little investigation into the collections that I mentioned in my previous column (Check out the related gallery) or have been following the recent fashion weeks, would have noticed immediately how many of the designers (if not all of them) used patent in their collections.

It's the new buzz word in accessories and in keeping with the slightly futuristic outlook in materials. If you really want to go avant garde and futuristic, look up the Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf, and see how they're using latex (yes, you read right) and Perspex in their latest collections.

This is, of course, very good news for the cash-strapped shopper – patent is the one exception to my genuine leather rule, in other words this is a rare occasion where you can skimp and not buy the real McCoy.

Carefully chosen synthetic versions are much more affordable and will give the same effect, but don't go willy nilly hitting the likes of Pep and A.C. Kerman's in search of patent and hoping for a Gucci effect. Be very careful with the shapes and designs you choose or you'll end up looking like a dominatrix lost on Green Point Main Road!

A general rule when it comes to patent is to keep it simple stupid (kiss). You can go for wild, riotous colour if you like (in fact bright colouring is very hot at the moment), but be sure that the design is elegant. Avoid embellishments or lots of detailing – the colour and the sheen of the patent are loud enough.

Shoes: The shape of things to come
Alas, it's time for you to get calf-fit, because the age of the towering heel continues no matter the shape. This season there are four shapes to look out for.
1. The stacked heel either as a sling-back, or with a rounded toe – a throwback to the hey-day of Vivienne Westwood's 1990s collections. Drama, drama everywhere: Fabulous prints and textures, including python (and other-such reptilian textures).
2. Look out for is the peep toe lace-up which made an appearance in a few of the summer 2008 collections.
3. The almost-sculptural wedge shoes. Fabulous-looking creations... not necessarily the easiest of things to walk on, but don't worry, you just need to hobble into a corner and then stand there allowing your footwear to steal the show.
4. For those who love a point, and don't like the stacked heel trend there is a relation to the pointy toe. If you were describing these in people terms you might refer to her as the "voluptuous" cousin. It's as if the point of the toe as been sanded off, giving it a gentle, curved finish and the heel is sturdier (not the teetering stiletto-spikes of the beginning of the decade). Gorgeous!

Bling, bling gets classier
Metallics continue to be a strong trend of the naughties but every year this theme get's re-invented and tweaked a little. This season we're seeing a sort of 1940s-sheen, and the shades are pewter, bronze and antique gold. It's certainly a little subtler, without the gold and silver.

Keep these colours in mind when you are shopping for jewellery. As well as anything that smacks of celestial inspiration. Both D-squared and Yves Saint Laurent used stars and lightning bolts as details in their collections. Oh and bangles, lots and lots of bangles piled on your arms – the more eclectic the mix of bangles the better. So, raid granny's jewellery boxes.

The clutch is king
My last note on accessories in 2008 is on the bag. Just as shoes have got more sculptural and fanciful so too have the clutches of 2008. There are all sorts of design details like handles and little Buddha's (I kid you not!) so, glam up the ones you have with the addition of a well-chosen miniature ornament. There are no wrongs here.

In fact the clutch itself has become more like a box; Fendi has done versions in coloured Perspex. But if Fendi's not in your budget then hit those vintage shops and find 1940s versions.

For daywear you need to super-size your clutch, creating a more casual look. If the clutch is not for you then look for bags that are slightly stiff and "structural". Again, the trend is moving away from the more slouchy and casual shapes of two years ago and back towards designed elegance... you want bags with handle details and clasp finishes, like those of Michael Kors's collection. And the more outrageous the colour the better.

But remember, don't over-accessorise. Although Coco Chanel is known for having famously declared, "Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise,"... she has also been known to advise that one should always look in the mirror before you go out and take off one thing to ensure that you're not wearing too much. Top tip that!

Till next time,
Cath x

Click here to see the hottest accessories straight off the catwalk.

Catherine Bowen has loved matching clothes to people since her Barbie days. She now runs her own Personal & Corporate Image Consultancy, which allows her passion to fuel her living. Visit www.dress-sense.co.za for more info.