Fashion Forecast 2013: Go off-tangent with accessories

With the restraint and linear geometry of the clothes this year, there is every reason to go a little askew when it comes to accessories.  Although there are matching graphic looks of sober checks and stripes, designers could not help themselves from going quirky or over-the-top with other pieces.  Just take a look at Prada’s neo-geta split platforms for the modern geisha, or Louboutin’s stiletto sandals with an African chief doll.  Even Roman gladiators are back and seriously knee-high this time to face the style battlefield. Jewelry goes on the wild side, too, with gypsy looks and heavy metal.  Bright colors have toned down a bit, giving way to pastels, but the gold standard is stronger than ever with some of the most opulent bags and shoes shimmering with that precious metal.   

Fringe benefits

To add swing to things, invest in some fringed jewelry like Nina Ricci’s asymmetric fringed necklace or Kenzo’s fringed cuff.  Versace’s silver fringe necklace is even more sumptuous with chain and disc charm accents.

Hermes

Laduree colors

Indulge your style’s sweet tooth with the pastel colors of Ladurée macarons:  from lemon shoulder bags at Hermes to fondant-pink totes at Givenchy.  Sara Battaglia color-blocks her bags with a touch of black.  Olympia Le-Tan has the most delightful ones, which look like children’s lunchboxes with witty illustrations.  The shoes can be quite funky at Sophia Webster, who does her cage booties with baby blue and pink squiggles, while at Dior it’s pure sophistication in pointy metallic pastels. For jewelry, go pastel with Miu Miu’s pink coral earrings. 

Givenchy

Crystal clear

Go clear for day and sparkle with crystal at night.  Michael Kors substitutes the clear for the white in his black toe sling-backs.  Pollini’s gray and neon-green wedge has a Perspex heel for added futurism, while Givenchy’s silver sandal has a clear conical heel with grainy wood accent.  Crystal-clear minaudieres look absolutely precious:  Gucci has them faceted while Kotur adds enchantment with specks of gold. 

Kotur

Small but formidable

Don’t underestimate the power of small bags.  There are some astounding pieces this year that will surely add that special something to an otherwise ho-hum outfit.  Interesting snuff-bottle shapes at Diane Von Furstenberg are color-blocked and studded with an easygoing cord handle.  Reece Hudson’s bag is shaped like a round canteen ready for some stylish camping with the embossed sheen of brocade.  Lanvin capitalizes on its heritage by turning its iconic globular Lanvin perfume bottle into a minaudiere.  

Dries Van Noten

Give kitty a break

The kitten heel is your relief from all the workouts you’ve been getting from those punishing platforms.  Dries Van Noten’s kitten heels come in gold balls for his black and white checks as well as leopard-print sling-backs.  Louis Vuitton’s has a slim metal square balancing those gorgeous pointy pumps. 

Beatriz

Gold standard

There’s nothing like its fashion weight in gold:  Stella McCartney’s clutch looks practically like a solid block of unabashed opulence.  Nancy Gonzalez gilds her snakeskin and adds a gold chain handle to boot.  Carissa Cruz Evangelista learned well from her aunt, Josie Natori, to come up with her Beatriz line of sculptural gold minaudieres and cuffs encrusted with semiprecious stones.  Nicholas Kirkwood does the metal with grace in his leather stilettos, while Emilio Pucci goes bold with towering strappy wedges.

Christian Dior

Boxy totes

The tote is updated in mod, boxy versions.  There’s Prada’s two-toned color blocks, some with floral appliqué accents.  Dior has one pinched on both sides like love handles.   Bottega Veneta’s woven tote ups the fun factor with festive loose fringes. 

Pierre Hardy

Stack them high

Women will never give up those heels so they’re here to stay, stacked and blocked.  Balenciaga’s pastel oxfords have an industrial heel in corrugated aluminum.  Fendi’s heel is studded to match the grommets and vents of its uppers.  The raffia finish of Pierre Hardy’s stacked sandal belies its solid, aerodynamic heel, which makes it all set for flight.

Chelsea Paris

Go Roman

Yes, gladiators are back and they’re ready for your urban battles.  Salvatore Ferragamo’s may be in sweet fondant pink but their full-length back lace-ups and grommets are definitely hardcore.  Alexander Wang’s has downtown cool in black leather with square segments.  Nobody does luxe dominatrix like Tom Ford, whose belted stiletto gladiators shine bright in mirrored gold and silver. 

Prada

Make it quirky

If your outfit is minimal and understated, might as well make a statement with your accessories, like with Alexander McQueen’s bejeweled satin Scythe shoes with gemstone-filled Perspex heels or Louboutin’s African doll sandals.  Or just throw all caution to the wind and indulge your Harajuku fantasies by wearing Prada’s split-platform getas with leather judo socks.  While you’re at it, get the most decadent bags from Carven in mother of pearl or from Mawi’s gemstone-encrusted collection. 

Jen Kao

Link it

Links are big for jewelry this year:  Get them as silver chain necklaces with pavé padlocks at Louis Vuitton or in double gold link necklaces with charm pendants at Ca & Lou.  Wilfredo Rosado has them as chunky pavés mixed with multi-chain links.  Even earrings are linked at Balmain and Jen Kao.  

Rodarte

Heavy metal

Jewelry makes a statement this season with solid metal pieces. Givenchy had gold bands wrapped garrote-like around model’s necks.  Lanvin has thick beaten gold neck rings and cuffs while Balenciaga has wired gold band rings for every finger. 

Gucci

Gypsy queen

The wild gypsy is a major inspiration for jewelry, as seen on the runways of Gucci, Tory Burch, Ralph Lauren and Dolce & Gabbana.   Dolce & Gabbana had printed headbands and shoulder-grazing tassel and bead earrings.  Ralph Lauren’s multicolored bead necklace was very bohemian in spirit while Gucci had over-the-top coral breastplates and earrings that said it all.

Louis Vuitton

High contrast

Graphic geometrics come mostly in easy-to-match black and white. Narciso Rodriguez has sky-high wedge mules that are very sci-fi.   Balmain’s harlequin and checks stiletto booties have a baroque scroll detail to give it an added flourish. 

For bags, the signature Damier pattern of Louis Vuitton is right on trend, while Roger Vivier cuts out the squares so as to give the tote a built-in pliability.  Jewelry also comes high-contrast with cuffs from Delfina Delettrez and earrings from Repossi.