National Register: Fashion Accessories Directory

Accessories Categories Covered

The directory's coverage shows why accessories need a volume of their own. Carried goods: hand bags, tote bags and backpacks, and luggage. Worn goods: belts, hosiery and socks, hats and caps, gloves, scarves and ties. Adornment: fashion jewelry, watches, sun glasses and eye wear, and hair accessories. Occasion goods: bridal accessories. Adjacent categories that accessories departments commonly stock: footwear, cosmetics and leather goods. Each of those categories has its own makers, importers, materials and seasons. Hosiery is a replenishment business; bridal accessories are a seasonal, occasion business; fashion jewelry turns on trend cycles of a few months. A directory that keeps the categories distinct lets each trade be researched on its own terms.

Why Accessories Have Their Own Directory

In a general apparel directory, accessories companies are scattered under their makers' other lines, and the specialist firms — the belt maker, the glove importer, the hat company — are easy to miss. A dedicated accessories directory reverses the organization: the product category leads, and every company that supplies it is gathered together. That is how accessories are actually bought. A department buyer does not shop for companies; the buyer shops a category for a season, compares the makers in it, and builds the assortment. The directory follows the buyer's method, and it equally serves the representative who carries accessories lines and needs the stores and makers in each category on one route.

Using the Directory with the Other Register Volumes

The Fashion Accessories volume is one part of the National Register set in this section, and it works best alongside them. The Apparel Manufacturers volume covers the companies that make accessories as part of a wider apparel business, with price ranges and minimums. The Apparel Marketplace volume covers the wholesalers, importers and exporters who move accessories between makers and stores, with their labels and countries of trade. The Independent Sales Reps volume covers the representatives who carry accessories lines to retailers. A researcher who starts in the accessories volume for the category, then checks the same companies in the marketplace and reps volumes, ends with the full picture: who makes it, who distributes it and who sells it. Learn more about The National Register and the fashion industry directories it provides through the publisher link in the navigation on this page.

Checking Directory Data

Apparel Search does not maintain or own the directories described on this page; the information is provided so viewers can research and purchase fashion industry guides and directories more easily. Reliance on directory data should only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, efficacy and timeliness. Accessories lines change with fashion faster than garment lines do, so category listings in particular should be confirmed with the company before an order or an approach.

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