Accessories are the fact

Pieces can help you stay in style without spending a fortune

Michelle Obama seldom is without a waist accentuating belt.

Madonna has taken to wearing jeweled headbands.

Even David Beckham is accessorizing with a trendy long scarf.

It used to be the quick fix to update last year's look was a new pair of shoes or a handbag. Now you have four more accessorizing options: belts, scarves, headbands and hats. And if you're pinching pennies, this new crop of accessories might be the answer to staying current without splurging on an entirely new outfit.

"This season coming up, after several seasons of the 'it' bag and 'it' shoe, we're looking at other 'it' items," says Jayne Mountford, vice president of trend reporting for Stylesight, which forecasts fashion trends.

Belts are likely the most universal of the bunch, and the easiest way to add polish and pull together most outfits. Last year's little black dress has a new look with a skinny red patent belt or a wide magenta stretch belt. Cindy McCain modernized a traditional tweed suit with a thin leather belt. Wear them with pencil skirts or jeans. Or even over your coat in winter, like the first lady of France, Carla Bruni.

Mountford says it's part of a larger trend in fashion of the refined, ladylike look that's a throwback to the post-World War II days. "It's the new ultrafeminine silhouette," she says.

Thin or wide, belts are made for most all sizes and any age can wear one. The trick is finding the right one for your look. Cinch a blousy top with a skinny belt to create a dainty, feminine silhouette. Add some curves to your shape with a wide belt, but make sure the belt rests on the skinniest part of your waist.

Just remember the rules of proportion. Skinny belts look out of place on more full-figure shapes. A wide belt is more proportional on thicker waists.

But the most important rule for the belt is remembering to show it off. And designers aren't disappointing.

"We're seeing belts in all kind of bright, bold colors," says Sally Grogan, an owner of Ciao Bella boutique in Cary. The store is stocked with belts in a variety of textures, including purple and red suede.

Another option is to wear the belts with dramatic contrast. Ashley Vermillion Harris, owner of the boutique Vermillion, likes a patent plum belt by Lela Rose with a black and white print pencil skirt. "The belt just stands out so much against the skirt," she says.

Mountford says the belt is a safe buy. She's expecting it to be a key accessory at least through next fall.

Scarves go long

The scarf is the next best bet. And today's hottest look is a long lightweight scarf or pashmina, wrapped once around the neck with both ends dangling at the chest.

Wear them as part of a layered look with tank tops and jeans in the summer or with long-sleeve T-shirts in the winter, says Gena Fajgenbaum Combs, an owner of the boutique Gena Chandler. "They're perfect with anything, especially here with our climate."

Gena Chandler is stocked with a colorful selection of pashminas that double as sarongs for a day on the beach. They're also perfect to stay warm on cold airplanes or as a wrap for a cocktail party. For those self-conscious about arms or neck line, scarves double as a concealer to help hide what you may not like.

"The scarf is the new sweater," says Constance White, eBay's style director.

She said it's replacing the cardigan in cold offices. And it's even taking on the same role as the necklace as "something that complements the dress or shirt that you are wearing."

Even your older scarves (think classic square shapes, like the kind from Hermes) from the last time scarves were in style are chic again with some women wearing them folded up as head scarves.

"It's so elegant and classic," Mountford says.

Something for your head

The head scarf is part of a larger trend of hair accessories, including the hat and headband, that are popular. Fedoras and bowlers have gone from one of those fringe accessories that only the bold would dare wear to more of mainstream look as part of the menswear trend that's been around for several seasons.

Try a pink fedora with a shortened brim, or a tweed newsboy cap.

Not that outgoing? You might be more comfortable with a classic headband instead. They're as cheap as $1 for a wide cloth covered band at Target. Or splurge on a skinny silver python band by Ted Rossi for $75 at Gena Chandler. J. Crew has one of the widest selections in the area, including funky patterns, animal prints and solids in varying widths.

And just when you try to write off both looks as too young, Mountford says think again.

"It doesn't so much have to do with age rather than panache," she says. "If you have the confidence to go out with a top hat, go out and do it."