You’ve seen the trends on the runways but what are the actual accessories, the actual pieces you need to rush and buy for summer? Here’s the low down on what to invest and what’s hot straight from the spring summer runways for 2010!
What: Outrageous Shoes
Which: Shoes, shoes and more shoes. Fashion’s new ‘it’ bag is a shoe. That will make you smile! You want heels, heels and more heels. Go for anything fierce and feminine, and over the top. Try platforms, jewel covered, raffia, sculptured heels or clogs and wooden wedges. Cry over any shoes in a bright colour, shoes that are patent, or shoes that are tough covered in hardware or studs. You want gladiators or serious platforms. You want a shoe boot. You want a party on your feet. Hic!
Why: Because it’s time to have fun. Because summer‘s soft dresses need a heavier shoe to toughen up the silhouette. Because you can instantly update your look in one mean stomp-a-licious step. Because no-one will notice last season’s clothes when your sexy shoes are screaming for attention. (Tip: You will need an assistant to strap you in and out of these heels. An assistant perched on a stool with an oxygen tank.)
Wear: Toss outrageous shoes with pretty summer dresses and a leather jacket to add a funky, tough edge. Wear gladiators with cropped harem pants. Try killer heels with unexpected casual basics: jewelled heels with rolled up chinos or ripped boyfriend jeans. (Tip: if you are wearing jewels or bells on your toes, keep it simple wherever you go.)
Where: Aldo, Nove, Betts, Witchery, Nine West, Wittner, Country Road, Belinda, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, , Prada, Versace
What: A Brilliant Bag
Which: This summer it’s time to put away your classic black bag. Sorry. This season you want a big bag in a bright pop of colour. Look for a slouchy, unstructured tote and colours so bright you need sunscreen. You want any hot shade from red to pink, green or blue. You want mad bags that jump out at you in crazy patchwork, animal print or luxurious patent (faux) snakeskin. You want a soft shape that will suit the easy casualness of summer. (Tip: A size big enough to smuggle your new shoes home without detection). You will love anything with a chain strap and anything heavy with hardware.
Why: Because a big, bright, brilliant bag will add instant groove to your wardrobe. It will add a fat punch of colour to all your pretty muted, understated basics. Because these bags love summer’s grahic prints. Because we all need something to brighten up our day. And big, bright beautiful bags have absolutely no calories.
Wear: With all the boring black having a little snooze in your wardrobe. Wear with clean, minimalist white or wake up pretty summer pastels with a jolt of colour. Tip: Make sure you clash your shoes and bags: Try red patent wedges with a bright, shiny orange bag. Remember a brilliant bag will make a loud statement which means the rest of your wardrobe can keep quiet.
Where: Sambag, Nine West, Country Road, Witchery, Givenchy at Myer, Mimco, Aldo, Oroton, Bally and Cosmopolitan shoes, Prada, Mrac Jacobs, Vuitton,
What: Flat Shoes
Which: Phew. You thought summer was all about heels. You thought you were destined to stagger about (always looking for a chair). You thought killer shoes were meant to kill. Think again. This season you’ll find flat shoes that are just as interesting as stomp-a-licious heels. Choose pretty and feminine T-bar sandals, ballet flats, masculine lace ups or tough gladiators that would make Russell Crowe proud. Think along the same lines as outrageous heels but a down to earth version. Go for bright, patents, embellished or metallic sandals. (Tip: With comfortable flats you can shop for hours. This is a good thing.)
Why: Because who said you had to suffer for fashion? Because why should heels have all the fun? Because the cool factor should keep going right down to the ankles. Because bolder, brighter and bigger is best. Because toned summer legs should end with an exclamation point!
Wear: With bare legs. Try flats with mini skirts and short dresses. You want a distance between where the shoe ends and the length of the skirt. Keep away from over the knee skirts when wearing gladiators. And make sure your skirts or dresses have a flare. No-one can wear a narrow pencil skirt with flats except mutations of the species called Models. But Maxi dresses love, love, love to be seen with flats. And only flats. (Heels and Maxi dresses? Please no!). Harem or peg leg pants should be cropped or make sure you roll up your jeans and chinos; there’s no point in hiding those sexy sandals.
Where: Target, Nine West, Novo shoes, Midas, Mimco, Aldo, Marni, Vuitton, Calvin Klein
What: The Clutch
Which: We have seen the clutch lurking on the fashion horizon for a couple of seasons; now it’s taking it’s applause on centre stage. You want a clutch that’s oversized. We are talking about a clutch as a day bag. You want a clutch in animal print, in snakeskin, in patent or metallic. But it can also be black with tough zips and edgy studs. It might even have a detachable chain strap. (Tip: It should not be heavier than your monster shoes.)
Why: Because you don’t want a big, oversized tote every day. Because there is freedom in carrying less. Because a clutch is chic and smart and sits comfortably under your arm. Which means it’s a lot more difficult to eat.
Wear: With everything you own. This is not a bag to be pulled out for special occasions: (who does that anymore?). This bag wants to go out for lunch (it won’t drink much), or lie around at the office. It will love to sit up at a bar looking chic at Happy Hour. It will be thrilled to accompany you to Rehab. It will look equally chic with faded ripped jeans, with a pencil skirt or tossed on with a sexy 80’s dress. It will adore sitting under a sharp shouldered jacket. It knows cool when it sees it.
Where: Equip, Portmans, Mimco, Oroton, Nine West, Witchery, Sportsgirl, Hermes, Chanel, Lanvin
What: Statement Jewellery
Which: This season it’s not about small, unassuming, non de la non accessories. This season your jewellery has gone crazy just like your outrageous bags and shoes. This is not the time to be mild mannered. You want stacked up jewelled tough cuffs, over the top jewelled necklaces, long stone glamorous earrings and big fat rings. You want jewellery to make a loud statement and then to start yelling. It’s big, bold, over the top and flamboyant. Or nothing. There is no in-between. Sorry.
Why: Because t’is the season to be jolly. T’is the season where accessories are standout. Because we haven’t seen this much opulence in years and it looks new and oh-so exciting! Because changing your jewellery is a Recessionista’s thrifty way to razz up the daggy old wardrobe. Because maximum impact is where the mad comet of fashion is heading. Enjoy the explosion. It will keep going next season.
Wear: With caution. Over the top rings, necklaces and bangles all looks fabulous piled up and thrown on models strutting down the runway at but in every day life it can be too much. Unless you are French. Keep one major item as the focal piece: Wear a big, bold necklace on a simple black dress. Stack up bangles up with a one shouldered dress. Try drop dead jewelled earring with a pretty blouse and big fat rings with jeans. With full on jewellery keep the clothes simple: You are not Lady GaGa.
Where: Mimco, Sportsgirl, Aldo, Diva, Equip, Witchery, Portmans, or Marni, Lanvin, Burberry.
TIP: Try the new PinkLouLou website for fabulous rings and cute charms and letter necklaces!
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