The celebrity world is something the majority of us will never be a part of – there are a chosen few who ever even get to go to awards ceremonies, never mind actually getting nominated! This morning, the nominees for the Academy Awards were announced, bringing the excitement of new fashion to the forefront this awards season. As we saw a few weeks ago, the Golden Globes were given away to actors and actresses wearing some of the newest western style trends. Needless to say, the Oscars are sure to do the same for many of the styles we discuss in this blog.

Here are some of the fashion accessories to look for on the red carpet this awards season:

Belts and Belt Buckles – One major element of this season is not that major at all – in fact, it’s usually overlooked as minor – western belts. The Golden Globes showed several actresses adding belts to their designer gowns, which may surprise some. However, the idea behind mixing dresses and belts builds on the shape of a person’s body, so cinching a belt with a nicely designed belt buckle is being seen at awards shows, movie premieres and at dinner parties everywhere. Consider this approach the next time you are wearing a flowing dress – you might like the results.

Look at the Purse – Along with belts, other accessories like designer handbags are being looked at closely by style experts and fashion critics. It’s not so much about an actress’s choice of dress as much as the full ensemble – that’s why picking the appropriate clutch is crucial at these Hollywood events.  Don’t forget that this is not only important for Kate Winslet – your choice of handbag is also a huge part of your outfit for Friday night.

Adding Sparkle – Finally, the last accessory to add to your ensemble is western style jewelry, which has always been essential on the red carpet ever year. By choosing the right wholesale jewelry, you will bring out the colors and style you are looking to embody. Don’t forget about the depth that jewelry can bring to your already beautiful look.

Use the Belt as a Tool: You need to realize before you even begin choosing a belt that it can be used as a virtual slimming tool in a variety of outfits. By putting a belt around a rather flow-y dress that doesn’t show off any curves, you can pull in the fabric to wrap around your hips and give you a beautiful silhouette. It can also add a dynamic to your clothing that may have had none before – i.e. a boring solid color cocktail dress.

Right Belt for Your Figure – Everyone’s body is different, but there are some guidelines for picking belts depending on your body size. If you are petite, you’ll want to focus on finding a belt that not only matches your outfit and strays from being too small. By picking a larger belt with a stylish buckle, you’ll add to your outfit ten-fold. On  the other hand, if you have a full figure, stay with solid colors and avoid any flashy belts that may draw more attention to your waistline. This will show off your curves without focusing on your waistline.

Focus on Your Waist – Since your waist is where your new belt will be spending most of its time, you need to decide if you are short or long waisted. Once you have determined this, choosing a belt is a piece of fashionable cake. If you are short waisted, avoid thick belts and you will lengthen your already long legs. With a long waist, add a thicker belt than usual to give your legs a longer look.

Body Type – The best way to match your belt with your body is to match your size with the belt size. If you are a larger woman, choose a wide width belt, which will help slim your figure. If you have a skinny figure, consider a thin belt – a large one may look too bulky.

Color – The color of your belt should match the majority of your outfits, but not necessarily all of the time. Belts can be used as a great foil to your outfit, adding a level of contrast to your look. Make sure that your belts can be matched with the majority of your closet, so that you get the most value from it.

Belt Size – When I talk about the belt size, I’m referring to the length of the belt, which is an oft-overlooked element of your belt. You want to choose a belt that is comfortable, but leaves room for a little bit of growth, maybe one or two notches. Any more than that is overkill and will leave you with way too much extra belt to go around.

Style – The style of your belt choice should be classy, but mix in a bit of flirty charm. This way, they can be used in a professional and personal capacity. Impress your coworkers with your belt style and then capture your new paramour’s attention. Always have more than one belt in your collection as well – you never know when your belts won’t match with your outfit!

Leather – The fabric of the fall is definitely going to be faux leather, if the looks on red carpets are any indicator. With the leather western handbags showing up on the arms of many celebrities and on runway models, it looks like designers are focusing on this style as well. Pair leather purses with other leather accessories like wholesale belts for a fully encompassing style for your outfits.

Block Coloring – Usually, the first question asked about the new trends in fashion is about the hot colors. Is pink the new black, or vice versa? Well, fall 2011 is going to be all about block coloring, possibly because of the retro looks that shows like Mad Men have made popular again. Block coloring takes several bold colors and pairs them together in sections throughout one piece. For instance, a dress may have three sections – one orange, one black and one salmon, each accentuating a different part of your form.

Draped Dresses – If the awards ceremonies of last year were the only style-making events, we’d all be wearing draped dresses everywhere. Several huge designers made this incredibly beautiful form-fitting look the center of fall lines at Fashion Week. By bringing attention to areas of gathered fabric, drapery can draw attention away from other areas that you may not want people seeing. Use draped clothing to your benefit!

Already being paraded around Hollywood by celebrities like Sienna Miller (Alfie), the western style trend is an amalgam of many different fabrics and styles. Primarily, those looking for this rodeo-style look are mixing leather, cotton and suede, with colors like beige and brown being the main elements. Major designers are also getting this style integrated with their lines – Gucci and Alexander Wang being two of the biggest.

The many benefits to the western look come in its simplicity and lack of total structure. You don’t have to completely cover yourself in western wear to get in on the trend. A simple western style handbag is one way you can always have some rodeo flair incorporated into your outfits. You can also add western jewelry and/or western belts to your accessories to any denim outfit to harness a more laidback western look for yourself.

However, if you want a head to toe western look, you may want to utilize all of these fashion pieces: checkered or plaid shirt, cowgirl boots, bedazzled cowboy hat, gemstone belts, western handbag, small jeans, leather jacket and pretty much any clothing with fringe as an embellishment. You may also want to look into leather pants, although these can be difficult to get comfortable in. If you use some of these tips, you will be a master of western trends in no time!

Size Matters – The belt buckle can be considered the centerpiece of your western belt, both literally and figuratively. Not only is the actual center of your belt, but the buckle is where people will initially look when admiring your fashion sense. Choose a belt buckle that syncs up with your body type – you don’t want to have a gigantic belt buckle if you have a small body shape.

Fashion Counts – If you are choosing a western style belt, you may want to stray from the typical gender roles assigned to fashion. Although a flower design may seem like the best choice as a woman, don’t overlook other styles that may seem more suited towards men. These can be an excellent – and surprising – addition to any outfit this summer.

Lasting Style – You want to pick a buckle that will fit on any standard belt, even if it isn’t a western style belt. Since buckles are a major part of your personal style sense, you should consider getting a belt buckle that can fit on the majority of normal belts that you may already have. Not only will these add some flair to your outfits, but this will extend the value of your buckle as well.

More Fashion in Film – Movie costumes are almost always filled with expensive, glamorous costumes, but this year you will be seeing a lot more of such Hollywood excess. For instance, Disney has a new Muppets movie (pictured at right) coming out around Thanksgiving and the costumes for the innumerable cameos (including fashion icon Lady GaGa) are rumored to be off the charts. You know they have the budget for it – it’s Disney!

Royal Wedding Galore – Not only have royal-obsessed Brits and Americans alike already snatched up every version of Kate Middleton’s gorgeous emerald blue engagement dress, but they are also prepping for the sale of anything that the soon-to-be royal might possibly wear in the future. As we all wait to see the flowers, cake and bridal gown, we’ll just have to speculate what brides will be obsessing about for the remainder of the year.

Low Cost, High Fashion – Have you ever wanted to wear some of Chanel and Fendi designer Karl Lagerfeld’s crafty, haute fashion? Well, if Rodeo Drive is a bit out of your price range, Lagerfeld is bringing a new line of clothing to Macy’s in the fall.

Museum Fashion – The Met, as New Yorkers call it, will be showcasing an exhibit featuring the late Alexander McQueen, who was a major player in the world fashion scene. He created some of the most captivating and stunning looks for actresses like Sarah Jessica Parker and GaGa herself. This is a show not to miss.

Here’s some picks for major game changers in fashion for 2011:

Minimalism – I hate it when people take minimalism to mean plain and boring. This year, it seems as if designers’ spring collections are going to feature simple designs with bold colors. This could mean a tote style bag with clean lines in a loud purple and white design. Nude and beige are not leaving the minimalist palette however – they will be paired with colors to liven things up a bit.

Vintage – Vintage fashion (i.e. good fashion) is always in style, be it old band T-shirts or lavish Gucci leather handbags. My advice – if you go out to a consignment shop and see a gorgeous old handbag, snatch it up. Like every other year, they will be hard to find in general.

Denim – I know what you’re thinking – ‘Are we in early 1990s grunge territory?’ Sure, denim was a staple of this era, but it’s slowly creeping back into the minds of big name designers like Prada. Keep your eyes open for a bunch of runway models with heavy makeup and largely denim bags. So twenty years ago!

Classic Shapes – My favorite celebrity designer Victoria Beckham has jumped on the bandwagon towards more classically shaped bags, starting with her Hexagonal Chain Bag. I’m sure you’ll be seeing more designers jumping on the wagon with her on the classically shaped front.

The first story is from The Celebrity Café, which is reporting that singer Jessica Simpson’s fashion line The Jessica Simpson Collection has pumped up its worth in 2010. The products sold in 2010 amounted to a staggering net gross of $750 million dollars, $1 million of which will go to Jessica herself:

“One possible reason as to why Simpson’s brands are successful could be because women identify with the singer. ‘She is the girl next door and has great product that surrounds her. People like her. People look at her as a style icon,’ said founder and CEO of Camuto Group, Vince Camuto. Camuto is Simpson’s licensee.”

Possibly looking for a million dollar payday of her own, Oscar winning actress Hilary Swank is reportedly in talks for starting her own fashion line, according to Styleite:

“Hilary Swank is working on what WWD described as ‘an apparel collection with an athletic bend.’ Oh, dear. This follows last month’s news that Swank was working on a fashion-focused game show for the CW – which would beg the question: what’s with Swank’s new fashion obsession?”

Well I think we all know the answer to that question. The article and I both hypothesize that Swank wants a chunk of change like Jessica Simpson gets. A little money lining gorgeous clutches never hurt anyone, right?

Rhinestones and studs are part of both rocker and cowgirl chic styles at the moment. Whether you’re following the recent western fashions in the mainstream or are going for a more punk-rock look, rhinestones and studs are acceptable for either style. In the case of western fashion, bigger and brighter is better, and the selection of belts at BHW exemplifies this. Each belt is lined with a combination of concho-like rhinestones and studs to give you a style to wear every day and to wear at a rodeo.

The rhinestones and studs aren’t the only features on the belts, however. From the BHW-signature belts to other wholesale belts, all are made with a solid black or brown leather belt or one that’s patterned. If you’re looking to be extra-trendy, many of the belts at BHW use animal prints, including zebra and cow prints, and some of them are even textured with natural cow hide. If you’re looking for a belt to complete your look and to stand out, all of the wholesale belts at BHW combine many of the latest trends and come in sizes from extra small to 3XL for women.