You’re up with the latest trends of summer, you know what’s on the runway, but what accessories do you actually go out and buy?
Read on for FiFi’s key accessory pieces to invest in for summer. Time to shop!
What: The Shoe.
Which: The good news in shoes this season? There is a huge choice of heel height. Finally. Last year it was either deliriously high heels or outrageous flat sandals. Now we have everything from killer to kitten. We are happy to welcome the return of a lower mid heel. A heel to walk in. A heel that’s comfortable. (Oh la la: Stop screaming you’ll disturb the other shoppers..) Great new isn’t it?! So what to buy? You need a wedge, a kitten heel (or mid cone heel) sandals and a pair of chic T bar flat sandals. But wait there’s more! There’s a new fashion shoe on the block: Clogs. Please don’t (try to) frown. Clogs are cool and comfortable. Clogs can be chic. But not be worn with plaits and lederhosen. Tip: All your shoes should have interesting details: studs, rivets, tribal touches or lacing. They could be in a bright colour or metallic. We love blush , brown, caramel and white. Go for anything except a simple, pointy toe stiletto. They’re so out they will be in next season.
Why: Because a lower, dainty heel works with the new 50’s lady-like trend and the softer, prettier silhouette. Because short little, draped, goddess dresses and harem pants continue to love and adore stomp-a-licious gladiator heels. Because fabulous shoes will always fit no matter how many toasted peanut butter sandwiches you have guzzled over winter. Because new shoes will always make you smile.
Wear: Show off your shoes! Make sure pants are cropped or rolled up to expose your drool-worthy heels. Wedges work with dresses or skirts but platform wedges look a little heavy with skinny pants. Don’t have good legs? Only revert to flats when you are desperate or if heels look over dressed. Never wear flats with a pencil skirt - it’s just not flattering. Try flats instead with maxi dresses, loose draping pants or flirty dresses. Remember comfort is key. Summer is all about upkeep. Save the torture and pain for the Botox/wax/ laser and exercise. Socks optional.
Where: Sportsgirl, Betts, Aldo, Midas, wittner and country Road for clogs and kitten heels. Also look to designers for inspiration on style.com such as Chanel, Chloe, Celine and Marni.
What: The thin belt.
Which: This summer sees the thin, narrow belt making a triumphant return. And I love it. Look for a belt that sits comfortably: it shouldn’t necessarily cinch or suck you in. How nice. Go for a belt with studs and tough detailing for a funky edge or something simple and understated in keeping with the new minimalism trend. The must have belt of the season? A chic narrow, brown leather belt. You will end up wearing it with everything. Even your pyjamas.
Why: Because a belt is a great way to embrace a new look without going crazy wearing the trend head to toe. Because when you add a belt with studs it will transform any daggy dress into an edgy look. Because a belt can add instant texture and colour. Because a belt can add great shape to any muffin waist. Because a belt is a great way to hold up your pants.
Wear: It’s time to twist and tuck! This little trick first started years ago with Prada and Marc Jacobs. Now this styling maneuver has taken off and you’ll see brown leather belts tossed around anything from pretty floaty dresses to boyfriend jackets. Throw on a chic narrow belt with your new high waist pants, or go for a belt with your skinny cargoes. Tie me up, Tie me down.
Where: Trenery, Country Road, Saba, Cue, witchery and longchamps. Be inspired by the collections on style .com from Celine, Micheal Kors and Chloe
What: Sunglasses.
Which: Cat’s eyes make a comeback this season but we still love square, 80’s style wayfarers, classic aviators and anything big, bold and square. Black is always chic but beige or cream will work with the soft blush colours of summer. Please keep away from anything with studs, logos or too much glitz and glitter. That means you Lady Gaga.
Why: Because you can’t go out sans sunglasses. Why would you want to? First you get all squinty wrinkles making botox even more expensive. Secondly, as every fashionista knows, sunglasses are the easiest way to go from drab to fab (And the least expensive way to add va va voom to any outfit). Because after a big night, no amount of concealer will cover the damage. Because sometimes you need a little tweak and no-one should recognise you coming out of the surgeon’s office…
Wear: Aviators are fabulous with everything but watch out if you are rocking any military inspired looks. You don’t want people jumping to attention and saluting. Big, square glasses love being seen with strong jackets and architectural dresses. And of course Cat’s eyes adore any wide shouldered jackets and 50’s inspired dresses and skirts. Retro is right. Bigger is still better. Glamorous will always be fabulous.
Where: Sportsgirl, Witchery, karen Walker, Ksubi, Chloe at Sunglass Hut, Dries Van Noten, Derek Lam, and we love these shots of Taylor Tomasi Hill and friend from Tommy Ton Style.com !
What: The small boxy, lady like shoulder bag.
Which: How big can a bag grow? Not much more it seems. Because, right now, the bag du jour is shrinking to a smaller, structured shoulder bag. Sure, the big slouchy bag is still perfect for lugging your life around but the small boxy bag is hot, hot, hot! Please note: It has minimum bling and hardware. That glitzy look is coming to an end. Sorry. What you want now is a bag that’s sleek and minimal. A bag that has a shoulder strap. It might be brown or tan (a huge story for summer) or go for chic black, a touch of red or khaki.
Why: Because it’s hands free. Because it’s time to streamline your life. Because a modern, compact bag works with summer’s clean minimal looks. Because a small, structured bag is part of the new polished, pulled together 50’s silhouette. Because maybe those Mad Men aren’t so mad after all.
Wear: It’s official: How you wear a handbag has now turned into an art form. You might wear an oversized lady-like bag in the crook of your arm. You might wear a boxy bag hanging nonchalantly from your shoulder. You might wear a clutch tucked under your arm or toss a utility bag across your body. Everything works depending on your style. Mix up the colours of shoes and bags! But who said black on black looks wrong? It works but make sure your bag has some kind of texture or shine to break it up. Stick to wearing 3 colours and you can’t go wrong. (More than 3 is too hard to get right and 2 colours is just too matchy match.)
Where: Colette, Country Road, Witchery, Mimco, Oroton, Longchamps, and check out Celine, Celine and more Celine ! Plus we love Givenchy, Vuitton, and Marni..Be inspired by the fashion pack here wearing Celine at Style.com
What: Jewellery.
Which: Yes, huge statement necklaces continue to be important. Yes, armfuls of cuffs are a must. But this summer sees another new accessory on the horizon: The long pendant necklace. You want an eclectic pendant with a quirky twist and an interesting trinket. It could be in silver, it might in gold but it should be on a chunky funky chain.
Why: Because a long pendant works with the new simple minimal silhouette. Because your personal collection of over the top, jeweled necklaces is big enough to light up any Christmas tree. Because jewellery is a great way to add personality - and your own individual stamp - to any outfit. Because we love anything that is a little 70’s.Because there is a Wonder Woman hiding inside all of us.
Wear: Toss a long pendant necklace over your favourite maxi dress or layer up long pendant necklaces over a grey Tee and skinny cargoes. Try a pendant necklace with your floppy white shirt and pencil skirt. Throw a long necklace back with a simple white dress. Remember the FiFi golden rule with jewellery: keep the attention all on one area. With a pendant ditch earrings and bracelets: it’s too confusing and overdressed. You want the focus to be on one fabulous piece (which means no one will even notice you are wearing last season’s top). Just like Gwyneth seen here at Popsugar
Where: Sportsgirl, Diva, Mimco. Georg Jensen, Elsa Peretti for Tiffany and of course check out style.com for the runways shows of YSL, Reed krakoff
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