15 spring accessories trends to get your hands on now. By Piera Gelardi & Christene Barberich
If, like us, you've been watching runways lately as much as the stock market, then you know that the spring/summer shows were just as much about accessories as they were about ready-to-wear. And despite the recent economic rumblings (more like armegeddon, actually), designers turned up the volume on runway add-ons, taking sparkle, fringe, color, and embellishment all to new heights. Recession? Not on these runways. But the thing is, plunking your money down on a great bag or pair of platform sandals is probably one of the better investments you could make—not only will any of these artful bags, ankle booties, or chunky bangles bring a little extra joy to your day, they might even make you feel a tad richer than you really are. It's all about perspective, right?
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
1. Round Sunglasses—Very Great Gatsby or maybe The Cotton Club...simple, quirky, and completely chic.
![roundsunglasses_ss09access](/static/bin/entry/21f/x/35493/roundsunglasses-ss09access.jpg)
2. Towering Platforms—Here's to never being tall enough…if you ever wanted to feel like a super-hero, spring will be the time.
![platforms_ss09accessories](/static/bin/entry/50d/x/35499/platforms-ss09accessories.jpg)
From left: Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors
![platforms2_ss09accessories](/static/bin/entry/b31/x/35507/platforms2-ss09accessories.jpg)
3. Busy Bags—The days of minimal bags are OVER. We're loving these excessively tricked out totes.
![busybags1_ss09accessories](/static/bin/entry/2f3/x/35515/busybags1-ss09accessories.jpg)
From left: Oscar de la Renta, Dolce & Gabbana
![busybags2_ss09accessories](/static/bin/entry/751/x/35522/busybags2-ss09accessories.jpg)
From left: Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan
4. Giant Gems—Prehistoric-sized rocks were the focal point of spring/summer's big, big neck candy.
![giantgems_ss09accessories](/static/bin/entry/438/x/35528/giantgems-ss09accessories.jpg)
![gems2_ss09accesories](/static/bin/entry/fe2/x/35534/gems2-ss09accesories.jpg)
5. Chain Belts—Another simple swipe of embellishment that makes even a simple outfit seem richer.
![chainbelts_ss09_accessories](/static/bin/entry/ae5/x/35537/chainbelts-ss09-accessories.jpg)
6. Cantilevered Heels—Angular lifts have been all the rage lately, regardless of the comfort level.
![cantileaveringheels_ss09access](/static/bin/entry/282/x/35547/cantileaveringheels-ss09access.jpg)
From left: Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs
7. Giant Tassles—One of our favorite accessory trends, giant tassles had a sort of baroque, tom-boyish feel.
![gianttassles_ss09accessories](/static/bin/entry/607/x/35566/gianttassles-ss09accessories.jpg)
![gianttassles2_ss09_accessories](/static/bin/entry/817/x/35574/gianttassles2-ss09-accessories.jpg)
8. Big Bangles Galore—Another season, and even more bigger, wider, chunkier bangles to go around.
![gianttbangles_ss09accessories](/static/bin/entry/d8e/x/35580/gianttbangles-ss09accessories.jpg)
9. Lacing—Elizabethan and a touch sexy, the season's lacing on the highest shoes is equally high on our list.
![laces2_ss09_accessories](/static/bin/entry/7ac/x/35609/laces2-ss09-accessories.jpg)
From left: Vena Cava for Via Spiga, Doo.Ri
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
![laces3_ss09_accessories](/static/bin/entry/a04/x/35622/laces3-ss09-accessories.jpg)
From left: Christian Dior, 3.1 Phillip Lim
10. Minaudiere Purses—Jewelry-box-style cases with hard lines and artful details offered plenty of old-school bling at many a designer's show.
![boxbags_ss09accessories](/static/bin/entry/478/x/35636/boxbags-ss09accessories.jpg)
![minaudiere_bags_ss09_access](/static/bin/entry/519/x/35644/minaudiere-bags-ss09-access.jpg)
11. Fringed Shoes—A more modest form of accenting, the season's fringe feels urban instead of earthy.
![fringeshoes_ss09access](/static/bin/entry/e3f/x/35652/fringeshoes-ss09access.jpg)
12. Geometric Necklaces—A surprisingly clean switch from so many other turns of fanciful excess, these geometric-cut necklaces were practically minimal in comparison, revealing a mod '60s-infused spin.
![70sgeometricjewelry_ss09accessories](/static/bin/entry/860/x/35671/70sgeometricjewelry-ss09accessories.jpg)
From left: Roberto Cavalli, Missoni
13. Thick Ankle Straps—Short skirts are begging to be worn with these super sexy, bondage-style sandals.
![thickankles_ss09accessories](/static/bin/entry/5a7/x/35700/thickankles-ss09accessories.jpg)
14. More is More Necklaces—Whether it's layered coral or tangles of rope and stone, designers just want to keep piling it on.
![moreismorenecklaces_ss09](/static/bin/entry/ed7/x/35710/moreismorenecklaces-ss09.jpg)
15. Obi Belts—Designers still can't get enough of showing off the waist, and while loads brought extra-extra-wide '80s-style belts onboard, we were more into the slightly couture Obi-esque wraps.
![obibelts2_ss09_accessories](/static/bin/entry/a88/x/35716/obibelts2-ss09-accessories.jpg)
Photos via Style.com
15 spring accessories trends to get your hands on now.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT