Women have dressed themselves with accessories in different ways over the years. The earliest documented uses of accessories are a far cry from what we now consider beautiful and fashionable, but they are still interesting perspectives to consider when looking at contemporary wardrobe collections today. First, we’ll take a look at some early uses of accessories in ancient times, before exploring modern and 21st century applications in more detail. 

When did women first start wearing accessories?

For thousands of years, women have been wearing accessories. In ancient Indigenous cultures, women looked for objects like shells, feathers, stones and bones to decorate themselves, making accessories like necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Small bags and purses were used to carry objects, and these were often made from locally-hunted animal skins. The earliest documented finding of a necklace – which was made of a collection of very small fish bones – was 25,000 years ago in Monaco. Later, in approximately 3000 BC, accessories took off with the use of necklaces, earrings, rings and crowns in the Mediterranean and what is considered present-day Iran. The Greeks, the Egyptians and the Bahranians all made extensive use of jewellery and accessories in subsequent centuries. The Egyptians wore bracelets and amulets of coloured gemstone which contained huge symbolic and mythical meaning. The Bahranians, meanwhile, were wearing pearl and gold earrings some 4,000 years ago. In 1200 BC, the Greeks took jewellery to a new level, adorning themselves with earrings, necklaces, crowns, bracelets, rings, hairpins and brooches. Over the next few thousands years, during the reign of the Byzantine Empire and the Middle Ages, accessories took off, combining millennia of knowledge and practice into new and innovative forms. Pearl, gemstone, and eventually diamond jewellery was the domain of royalty, and symbolised class, with rings, necklaces and dresses being made for high-status people to convey their wealth. 

Modern accessories

In the modern era, accessories have undergone several dramatic changes, particularly over the 20th century. In the 1890s, developments in industrial technology led to the development of handheld fans, which took to the stage across the world. Women’s stockings were a big part of culture in the early 1900s and 1910s, and often contained extensive lacing right up the leg. Hats were all the rage in the 1920s, a decade which also saw the rebirth of women’s shoe designs. The 1920s hat-and-scarf trend was followed by a burst in energetic, bold designs of accessories like purses and stockings, reflecting the modernist push in style and culture. In the 1950s, handbags took to the scene, and in the following two decades, bold, bright colours, like green and yellow, made their mark on the hippie culture of the 1960s. The 1970s were characterised by oversized sunglasses, while leg warmers were an essential component of the 1980s women’s closet. Over this time, an emphasis on innovative form and structure in women’s accessories was of note, evident in the emergence of platform shoes and the necklaces of Pierre Cardin. Minimalism found itself in the 1990s, and designers like Tiffany & Co. began incorporating elements of jewellery into their swish handbag designs. Over the century, trends were largely influenced by actors and actresses in Hollywood, who wore fashionable pieces made by labels such as Chanel, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, each of whom pursued new and creative designs for mass production. 

Today, accessories for women are all about looking stylish and sophisticated. Beige tones are in for purses and clutches, but spicing things up with a little bit of colour is totally acceptable and encouraged. Jewellery today has a particular focus on elegance, with diamonds, pearls and other gemstones seeing considered placement on rings and necklaces. Crossbody sling bags and big tote bags are in, as are sporty sunglasses, square scarves and choker necklaces. Many of these accessories are throwbacks to retro styles, like the chain belt, which speak to bold, fun and functional trends. Yet today is also witness to the diversification of fashion, especially since there are so many different trends available to people via mediums like the internet and social media. While mass market fashion is still going strong, subgroups and subcultures are enabling a wide variety of trends to flourish, giving you more choices in women’s fashion than ever before. 

Accessories are at their best when they complement the rest of your outfit. While some statement pieces really do speak for themselves, it pays to look at your ensemble holistically, to see what works and what doesn’t. For instance, if your wardrobe is composed of mostly bright colours and tones, then you might want to consider neutral tones for your accessories, which don’t take the attention away from your look. Similarly, if you have a wardrobe full of beige dresses, white skirts and black jumpers, you might want to try wearing colourful purses and accessories, which will bring some pizazz to your look. As with anything, experimentation and personal preference are most important!

Kit yourself out with the iShopChangi selection of women’s purses and bags, like those from TUMI. The brand has a great array of attractive, functional bags you’ll love, like the TUMI Packing Cube. Bright orange and highly compact, this packing cube will allow you to store all of your essentials when you’re on the road or on holidays, all while maintaining a sense of fashion as you go. The TUMI Madina Cosmetic bag, similarly, will help you to keep hold of your must-have makeup products, like brushes, nail polish, lip balm, lipstick and mascara, without having to search for them in multiple places. 

Alternatively, you can flex your latest style with the TUMI Starr Sling, which comes in a bold black. Tassels and silver zips make this cute, easy-to-use bag even more stylish, and this piece will work well with a variety of urban-inspired looks. The MCM Wristlet Zip Pouch in Visetos Cognac, on the other hand, is an eye-grabbing, bedazzling purse which comes in a loud and proud cognac. Featuring the signature MCM logo on the front, this purse will work for women who aren’t afraid to have a little fun. For a sophisticated style, consider the Furla 1927 Mini Crossbody 17, which you can buy in a unique turquoise hue. As with many Furla bags, this crossbody straddles between fun and the formal, making it an ideal pick for the modern lady at work. 

Women’s watches

iShopChangi is home to dozens of Singapore’s best women’s watch brands, such as Seiko, Fossil and Tissot. Check out the Seiko Automatic Presage Ladies SRP852J1 watch, for instance. With a sophisticated brown leather strap, a classy white and rose gold watch face and elegant dials to mark the time, this watch is guaranteed to help you stand out from the crowd at your next lunch, dinner or drinks with colleagues. For an ocean-inspired look, try the Seiko Automatic Presage Ladies SSA785J1 watch, which comes with a deep navy watch strap and face and silver dials. 

The Fossil Ladies’ Georgia watch features a comfortable, thin leather calfskin watch strap in a soft beige, which will add to minimalist looks beautifully. The thin strap style is maintained in the Fossil Analog Rose Gold Dial Ladies’ watch ES3268, which comes instead with rose gold overtones. Jewellery lovers might like to pair this with their favourite silver, white or rose gold necklaces. The Tissot Le Locle Automatic Lady gives a classic look, with a silver and gold stainless steel watch strap and a stainless steel watch face. Sturdy, chic and durable, this watch will last you for years to come, ensuring you have the high quality look you love without having to worry about damage. The Tissot PR 100 Powermatic 80 Asian Games Edition for ladies also shows off the brand’s classic style, with stainless steel designs and squared engravings on the watch face. 

Women’s jewellery

Looking for jewellery? You’re in the right place. Swarovski’s  Attract earrings are a circular, white, rhodium-plated piece which will give any outfit a bedazzling boost. With small jewels dangling from the hoops, you will shimmer and sparkle whenever you turn your head, giving you an iridescent quality wherever you move. The rhodium plated Swarovski Swan Pavé Pendant necklace complements these earrings well, displaying the brand’s iconic swan logo on the front. Simple and stylish, this necklace will work well in a variety of high fashion settings. Or, if you prefer rose gold as a colour choice, try the Swarovski Stella Set, which features a rose-gold plated star necklace and two adorable earrings all in one. Made to be worn together, this set will ensure that your jewellery works in harmony, no matter your outfit. 

Women’s scarves and sunglasses

But women’s fashion does not just end at bags, purses, and jewellery - fashion accessories can also take your whole look to new heights. Scarf-lovers will delight in the Watercolour Floral Square Silk Scarf from Le Foulard, which is designed with a multi-coloured floral pattern of pinks, purples, yellows and blues atop a soft white background. Its silk texture is beautiful to the touch and will be a delight to wear, even on hot summer days. Also from Le Foulard comes the embroidered Amethyst Printed Cashmere Silk Scarf, which features a rich purple, tapestry-like pattern signifying depth and mystery. For a modernist, eclectic look, Furla’s Metropolis Bandeau is a top pick, and comes in a bright, popping red with touches of blue. 

Searching for sunglasses? Marshall has a range of sunnies you’ll enjoy, including the Eyewear Bob Black & Turtle Sunglasses. These sunnies will protect your eyes from harsh UV light while simultaneously giving you a retro, leopard print-inspired look. Marshall’s Eyewear Nico Cuba Sunglasses, meanwhile, will take you to sunny beaches and leisurely afternoons, and are inspired by the beach, relaxation and lazy days. 

Purses, wallets, watches, sunglasses, clutches and scarves have the ability to jazz up your outfit like nothing else. Browse your favourite accessories for hours on iShopChangi, and make the most of duty-free prices online! Boasting collections from some of the best brands in Singapore, like Tissot, TUMI, Seiko, Fossil and SK Jewellery, you’re sure to find a range of luxurious and beautiful women’s wear to elevate your look. So get shopping today and see what you find! If you’re a non-traveller, take $59 worth of products to the checkout and you’ll receive free delivery island-wide. And while you’re at it, why not sign up to Changi Rewards? Membership will cost you nothing, and you’ll receive 10% off your first product after joining. If that sounds too good to be true, just take a look at our website to see for yourself!