The bold and the beautiful: Spring accessories

From fruity shoes and novelty sunglasses to fringed earrings and de luxe bags, spring's accessories are fresh and wild, says Gemma Hayward

Monday 24 January 2011 01:00 GMT
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Shoes

Be brave and bold in your choice of shoes this season.

Prada's stripy wedges in bright, summery hues are as strangely beautiful as might be expected. Charlotte Olympia's "fruity" shoes are simply strange – and all the more brilliant for it. Fuchsia pink is the colour of the season, meanwhile, as Christian Louboutin knows only too well. A gold-stem heel only adds to the impact here. For more practical souls, Stella McCartney's ultra-low wedge heels have the whiff of the school run about them.

Bags

Statement bags make their return this season, even if they are wonderfully minimal, such as the Céline "clasp" bag, which comes in an array of suitably chic, on-trend shades including brilliant white. More obviously high-impact are Miu Miu's sensibly sized bags in fluorescent hues of pink, yellow and lime and crafted in leather so fine that shoulder-ache will never be an issue. Chloé's bag nods to the Seventies in natural leather but a transparent PVC window ensures easy access at all times. Finally, the Jil Sander tangerine acetate carrier bag – a snip at £90 – is a witty twist on the "it" bag from the sartorially discerning working woman's label of choice.

Sunglasses, hats and scarves

'Tis the season of novelty sunglasses and these angel-wing frames courtesy of Jeremy Scott for vintage eyewear supremo Linda Farrow look set to be a fashion insider's favourite. Wear them with a wide-brimmed hat that channels Bianca Jagger, which can only ever be a good thing. As for this classically elegant Yves Saint Laurent scarf: it's animal print, sheer and has the spirit of the Seventies about it, so what could possibly be more modish?

Jewellery

Shy and retiring is not on the agenda this season as far as jewellery is concerned. This Louis Vuitton necklace, dripping with costume jewels in the colours of boiled sweets, looks good enough to eat. Lanvin's insect cuff is suitably sauvage and will dress up even the most understated outfit. Those daunted by the fact that everything from jackets to handbags and even shoes will be finished with fringing this season might also like to invest in a pair of delicate Chanel earrings that pay lip service to the trend without following it slavishly.

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