In a trend-conscience world, fashion can sometimes take on the stereotype of a consumer flock of seagulls. Some would paint you a picture of zombie-like shoppers charging their almost maxed-out credit cards to attain a Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan or Kate Moss-wannabe style.

Even if you're not trying to be a clone of an overly admired Hollywood starlet, it seems shopping at any department store will offer you hand-me-down styles, mocking designs worn by everyone's all-time favorite idol.

On the other hand, fashion-forward advocates view fashion as their outlet to show the world who they are by wearing their heart, passion, and love literally on their sleeves.

Fashion is expression wrapped in individuality. It can be created expensively or inexpensively, but its statement can be as precious as a rare diamond.

Today, fashion is about uniqueness and capturing your sole spirit in a tangible design. Even if you're style-challenged and (hopefully) find my rambling Cliff's Notes a guiding light leading you through racks of character reflecting garments, you too can become fashion forward.

The key to style opens a jewelry box of accessories.

This is not just a visual metaphor; it is a factual mental note that needs to be taken! Accessories make the outfit! Without them would be like eating "fat free" chocolate cake without the icing.

You can modernize any dated ensemble simply by adding fun, vibrant accessories, such as belts, scarves, hats, jewelry, shades, or shoes. Accessories can dress up an otherwise plain outfit or dress down a more elegant look. They can create focal points that accentuate quality features, insinuate intelligence, speak sophistication, or seep sexiness. The best thing about accessorizing is that there are no wrongs, no limits, and you can use them to create a style without looking like an aspiring replica of someone else.

For the Love of Scarves

We will start with the simplest (and one of my favorite) pieces that is super multifunctional -- the scarf. The scarf can be worn many different ways, on many different body parts. Of course, it can be tied around your ultra-fab pony tail, folded and worn like a headband or tied in your hair like a 1960s windbreaker wrap. Scarves can be dangled loosely around the neck, elongating the body, or tied in a short, sweet knot or bow that brushes the collar bone.

Scarves can be converted to bracelets, belts, or shawls. You can even find a smaller scarf, tie it in a bow and pin it to your blouse and you have a super-unique broach. My personal favorite scarf style is to simply tie it to a plain handbag to add a little extra "me" to my outfit.

When you choose a scarf, go crazy with colors. If you're someone who doesn't like to wear outrageous designs or loud colors on your clothes, yet still crave the fun, exciting look, pick a scarf that screams confidence. Large floral, flirty prints, neon triangle patterns, retro, pale pink, checkers, polka dots . . . you can pick a pattern that makes your sweet heart skip a beat.

Treasure Chest of Jewels

Anything goes seems to be the theme when it comes to jewelry. Jewelry can add spunk, funk, punk--or elegance, and sophistication. The best way to decide on pieces to accent a look is to pick them according to the theme and persona you want to give off.

When it comes to earrings, sleek dangles, light chandeliers, bold, bright chunky hoops, artsy designs, or a simple stud are great picks for the season.

Necklaces

When it comes to necklaces, choices are abundant. A hot style to date is a long necklace. The style can either be simple and delicate with only a hint of color or it can be vibrant chunky beads that gleam with confidence.

Almost any necklace is in style as long as it adds detail and interest to your ensemble. A great way to make a necklace multifunctional is to take a long necklace and double it or triple it around your wrist and, voila -- it serves as a beautiful, unique bracelet.

Bracelets

Decorating your arms by adding bangles, beads, silver, or gold, with as many trinkets that fit between elbow and wrist is totally in for 2007. You can mismatch shades of one particular color or pick designs that bring out one specific color in an outfit.

You can also pick off-the-wall colors that are not even found in your outfit and make it work by matching it to your shoes, handbag, belt, or any other jewelry you are wearing such as earrings, a broach, necklace, or rings.

Rings

Just as earrings, bracelets and necklaces are totally discretionary, so is ring choice. Choosing a diamond or colored jewel, whether it be costume or real, will add a simple elegance to a look. Antique styles will give you a vintage feel and bold, colorful art-inspired pieces will give you a funky, unique look.

Jewelry is the easiest way to add creative uniqueness to an outfit. Try designing your own jewelry by integrating different pieces as another function, such as putting hoop earrings or rings on your favorite chain, pinning an earning to your blouse as a broach, taking simple ribbon and tying it around your wrist for bracelets. The limit of jewelry design is endless.

Belts

As discussed in previous articles, belts can accentuate any look. We have already talked about belts both thin and wide that cinch in the waist. But belts with beading, jewels, and dangles are also a very popular pick to bring a look up-to-date. Sparkling, oversized or extremely detailed buckles are also a big hit for the season.

Handbags

When you chose a handbag, pick styles that complement the rest of your outfit. Clutch purses and oversized bags are a major trend in 2007. The clutch style is best with a more dressed-up, occasional theme and the large oversized bags are great for a more casual look. You can add your own personal character to any bag by adding jewels, pendants or patches. A great strategy to correlate any color or design into a look is by simply matching your bag with any other accessory you are wearing, whether the jewels on your bag have the same crystals found in your earrings, or the color of your shoes is found sprayed in crazy designs across your favorite purse.

All accessories work together creating a gorgeous masterpiece! They are the essential detail that creates and generates the impression that you are a fashion mastermind!