Want to know what’s hot and what’s not this season? Look no further, as we’ve searched the shopping malls and grilled the experts to find out which accessories are here to stay this spring/summer season.
There’s no better way to spice up a dull outfit than a few chunky bangles, an eye-catching pair of shoes or a striking necklace. And the good news is you don’t have to rush out and buy a load of new and expensive items. Much of what we’ve seen heading down the runway in this year’s spring/summer collections are items any fashion-conscious girl already has in her wardrobe. So which accessories are making the headlines right now? We’ve been keeping an eye on emerging trends to bring you the hottest news fresh off the catwalks.
Spring in your Step
Yes, the spring collections are out and lots of designers are taking their cue from nature with bold floral prints and an emphasis on natural materials. Check out Kate Spade’s new clutches made from seagrass and go wild for Moschino’s daisy summer hat. Eve Roth Lindsay of style consultancy Savvy Style says that we are once again moving towards a bohemian look with tribal patterns and flowers being the order of the day, and accessories are no exception.
Natural, sunny colours and animal prints are being used for jewelry as well as this year’s popular clutches, which remain very much in style. Diane Von Furstenberg dressed up her models in tribal prints, African-inspired bangles and funky floral hairpieces.
Trendy Trinkets
Jewelry this season is all about making a statement. Look for bold, edgy items such as long chain-link necklaces, statement earrings and huge brightly-coloured plastic rings like those spied at the Blumarine show.
Tough Touches
Rock ‘n’ Roll accessories are back, with studs adorning just about everything from shoes and handbags to headbands and bracelets. Jimmy Choo doubled up with this shoe and purse combination in turquoise, this season’s hottest colour. But that’s not to say girls need to lose their femininity: bows are back and were seen on the catwalks on everything from hair bands to shoes and even necklaces, such as this gem from Kate Spade.
Colour
Aside from natural colours bolds are back with turquoise, coral, hot pink and bright yellows and oranges are taking center-stage.
“I wanted to bring sunshine and colour back into the collection and was influenced by everything from the hot, hot pink of bubble gum wrappers to the beautiful bottle greens of enamel and glass vases,” says designer Anya Hindmarch.
In the Paul Smith collection colours are vivid and luminescent, with pinks and purples at the forefront. Men aren’t escaping the trend either with colourful accessories such as these blue lizard loafers.
Head Case
Head pieces have been getting more and more popular recently, as well as increasingly elaborate – you only have to head down to any Mong Kok market to see the enormous variety on offer, inspired of course by the big designers. Moschino hats are small this season and meant to rest on the head like “touches”. Bright colours and natural fabrics are a continuing theme with plenty of straw hats hitting the runways. These become a key accessory for men too as part of the “Global Traveler” trend which is causing a storm at high street stores such as H&M.
Colour hasn’t been forgotten when it comes to shoes either with many designers choosing to go all out with crazy colour combinations such as a Jimmy Choo’s Zap shoe, a 130mm multi-strapped suede and patent platform sandal with ‘light up’ detail. ‘The attitude for spring/summer traces the foundations of the brand with a reinvigorated insistence on strong bursts of light and colour,” says Tamara Mellon, Jimmy Choo founder and president.
Know your own Style
It’s said that super-stylish French women will get themselves ready to go and then, right before leaving the house, choose one accessory to take off. And when it comes to accessories the old adage “less is more” really does seem to make sense if you don’t want to risk looking trussed up like a Christmas tree. Remember accessories will reveal your style and personality more than any piece of clothing, so always make sure you’re comfortable in the accessories you’re wearing and beware of following any trends which don’t work for you.