Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Kristen Miller Column, 11/13/06



In reference to Ivan Raconteur’s September 11 column about accessories, I’ll admit, most women (not all) love accessories — especially purses.

Unlike men, who can use their wallets for 10 years, women like variety and change. Also, no one sees a wallet because it’s always in the back pocket. Purses on the other hand, are visible to everyone.

I’m not sure why this is, maybe because even after our closets get old, we can jazz it up with a new pair of earrings or a necklace. By using accessories to their full potential, women can make any ordinary outfit glamorous.

Belts are now the “in” thing for giving a shirt a new look and accentuating the natural curves to a women’s body. I like this idea because the belt tends to hide those unwanted curves as well.

One of my favorite accessories are the earrings. Big earrings are the “in” thing now. Chandeliers, hoops any dangly earrings really can make any woman go from glum to glam. You can even have a bad hair day and people won’t notice. Neither will anyone else because they will be distracted by the large and beautiful earrings.

The ultimate accessory that women go crazy over are purses. I’m not sure when the craze began, but women LOVE purses. I’m not sure where the obsession stems from, but it’s here nonetheless.

I think it has something to do with being able to match your outfit, jacket, shoes, etc. with the proper color and being able to fit almost anything a woman would need for the next day or two in one bag.

Also, purses have become something women can show off to their friends. With all the different colors and styles, you never run into a woman who has the same one.

Another reason purses are so popular is because they last forever. They will probably go out of style before they will wear out. But lately styles of purses have been staying in trend for quite awhile. This helps to ensure your money spent won’t go down the drain.

What I can’t get over are the prices of some of these purses. Top designers such as Coach, Fendi, and Prada can cost thousands of dollars. But, I guess as long as they can sell them at that price, which they can, people will continue to buy them.

I on the other hand, cannot afford to buy such outrageously priced items, but I can find pretty hip bargains.

My favorite store to shop for stylish accessories at bargain prices is Lillians. There are several locations including Buffalo, Waconia, and Long Lake. Unfortunately they are only open once a month, but I’m almost sure they have enough visitors in that one weekend to make up for the whole month.

Women go crazy for Lillians. When it’s open, the store is filled with eager women looking for that new accessory.

The best part is they have fashionable accessories at reasonable prices.

This weekend, I visited the Buffalo location. I wanted a black purse with gold hardware. After looking around the racks and not finding what I was looking for, I noticed the bargain room in the back.

There it was. My black and gold hand bag. Just the right size and just the right price. It’s amazing how a new purse can make woman’s day.

Handbags aren’t the only bargain accessories that can be found at Lillians. Anyone who enjoys earrings, necklaces, and rings are sure to find something of their liking. I found several items I would’ve loved to have purchased. But I had to hold back and narrow down my selections.

With Christmas coming up, many of the women in the family can be bought for just at this one location. There is almost something for everyone – unless they don’t like accessories, which I guess is possible.

After checking out, the ladies told my cousin and I to come back in December. I’ll look forward to shopping for the ladies on my list.

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