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It's a cinch

Over the past few seasons, handbags have been the accessory of choice. In fact, the runway shows in New York for spring 2001 featured bags that had grown to cartoonish proportions, perhaps in recognition of their importance in the minds of fashionistas.

But another accessory managed to emerge from under the tent at Bryant Park: belts. Big belts. Belts like the ones you wore in the '80s. There were belts on suits, belts on evening gowns, and nouveau punk double-wrap studded belts paired with jeans.

The good news is that when retro is this recent, you don't have to buy new. For instance, the gold lame belt, one that Wonder Woman or Carrie Bradshaw (of Sex and the City) would love, is an original Donna Karan, circa 1985. And it's only $10 at Maude Mango, a vintage-clothing shop at 507 East Broadway in South Boston.