Studs Up the Attitude for Clothing, Footwear, Accessories

There will be plenty of studs for women to choose from this fall.

These studs are the decorations that take an outfit from plain to edgy. Add a few round pieces of metal to the front of a skirt, up the back of a pant leg, around a collar on a dress or along the belt line of a pair of jeans, and you've got a look that's fashion forward.

Embellishments such as studs add zest because they pop out -- especially against a black background. And you won't just see them on clothes. Lots of shoe designers have added studs to their collections, from a few on a pair of knee-high boots to multiple studs along the straps of high-heel sandals.

Studs at the waistband create a belt-like illusion that transforms a basic pair of blue or black jeans into nighttime glitzy attire.

"Studs have a punky influence to them," says Tracey Lomrantz, Slaves to Fashion blogger for Glamour.com. "So the best way to wear this trend is to pair it with something feminine or basic. Put on studded boots with a floral dress or chiffon top, or go for studded jeans with a solid shirt or blazer. That way, you still get the effect, without overdoing it."

Keeping the rest of the look neutral is important, Lomrantz says, because studs themselves give off enough of a punky vibe.

You don't have to invest a lot of money to try studs. Start with an accessory such as a belt, handbag or headband. For those more daring, Genetic Denim has a line of studded jeans, called "Shane." The embellishments double as a belt.

"Jeans with studs have been our focus for fall, and they are doing immensely well," says Genetic Denim creative director and founder Ali Fatourechi. "We have definitely paid attention to detail with these jeans and have created a two-for-one look with studs at the waistline, where you don't need a belt. The process we use to attach the studs makes our jeans unique."

The studs are made of metal and placed between two pieces of lightweight fabric. They also are machine washable.

Shoes are always a great way to get introduced to a trend.

"Studs add an element of rocker chic to each silhouette, which makes them not only cool but also very of-the-moment for the fall season," says shoe designer Stuart Weitzman. "But, like anything in design, less is always more."

Studs help bring an outfit up a notch and give it more of a downtown hip-girl vibe, says Antonia Sardone, senior market editor for Women's Wear Daily.

On the runway, John Paul Gaultier's studded biker jacket is the perfect example of this trend, she says. Accessories with studs from Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana also stood out on the runway.

"The thing is, if you aren't comfortable wearing studs, it will show, because you won't have confidence and it most likely will feel like you are wearing a costume," Sardone says. "So choose an accessory to give you some attitude, while still allowing you to look good."

The way to wear studs without looking too tough is to go easy, says Michael Carl, Allure magazine fashion director.

"Don't overdo it. Just like any hard thing to wear, keep it simple," he says. "A splash of neon helps an outfit look cool, a statement necklace can turn a simple black dress into something stunning, and a few studs can make an outfit just a little bit edgy -- that is, assuming your aren't sporting a Mohawk."