The Fashion Page: Accessories Report Spring ACCESSORIES

THE
ACCESSORIES
REPORT

After being steeped in grunge for the past few seasons, fashion has taken a sharp turn. Grooming and accessorising - in the good old fashioned sense - is back, that means taking an outfit and adding the finishing touches with accessories such as scarves, belts, handbags and jewellery.

Accessories - especially jewellery - turned up at most spring shows and were given a pivotal role by some major players. Some designers are so excited about the accessories idea that they are adding jewellery to their lines.

Jewellery can add the most elegant finishing touches to an outfit. And in keeping with the pared down feel of this seasons looks there is a general move towards simplicity, particularly for daytime. Shapes are simple and bigger tends to be better.

Among the looks that surfaced were:

Bracelets, ranging from narrow pieces worn alone or in a pile to large cuffs. Upper-arm bracelets, many with a snake motif, were particularly strong.
Handbags, in fruit or flower printed cottons in tote styles, satins or delicately beaded smaller bags.
Hoop earrings from oversized to very large.
Large rings, in metal or with stones.
Lariat necklaces in metal or beads, worn forward or backward.
Oversized crotchet scarves or small neckerchiefs.

It is refreshing to see jewellery complementing clothes once more on the runways. From belts to earrings to necklaces, they all add a special touch.

If you're about to add to your accessories collection, for Spring, popular items are bangles and cuff bracelets in silver or gold, hoop earrings and bold rings.

For scarves, handbags and hats look for florals, straw and beading.