ACCESSORIES

And at a time – like now – when the cost of clothing seems prohibitive, an accessory becomes almost an affordable pleasure. (Almost, but not quite, as the accessories also felt the pinch of rising prices.) The power of accessories has not escaped the attention of some of the biggest names in the fashion industry. A few years ago, Liz Claiborne, a brand synonymous with style for working women at a reasonable price, launched a line of handbags. TODAY, industry insiders estimate that this collection accounts for more than 50% of all U.S. department store sales of handbags in the moderate price category.