Accessorize this

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, accessories are the most important part of any person’s clothing repertoire. Well besides good fitting jeans. They can add pops of color to neutrals (think turquoise or 1970s bakelite), a touch of demureness to work wear (pearls, pearls, pearls) or a bit of bling for punch (diamonds anyone?). A quintessential pick-me-up, they’re an affordable way (think costume) to maximize the potential of any existing outfit.

With spring just around the corner, I’m currently de-hibernating enough to cruise the shops for a few essential items. I’m buying dresses in my favorite cuts for spring and summer, large textured metallic totes for all my work gear, cute flats in non-traditional prints and patterns, and the all-important, requisite staple, jewelry.

I have to admit for the past few months I’ve been a little low key with regards to wearing and buying jewelry. This might be attributed to having overdone the necklace trend a few seasons back. As I’ve recently realized, I have a bathroom overflowing with pendants, chains, plastic, metal, beaded, hoped and woven necklaces. They’re still fun on occasion but frankly, its time to move on.

Which is where bangles, cuffs and large rings come in. While these styles tend to come and go throughout the various seasons, this spring’s crop of new designs stands out as decidedly modern and fresh. These days we have large, bold statement pieces at their finest instead of the usual hodgepodge of styles and sizes that end up overpowering your outfit anyway.

So here’s what I suggest: Peach, blue and green rings at least the size of a quarter and set in gold. Large, Lucite bangles worn high on the forearm. Enamel cuffs with embellished motifs. And small, thin bangles layered on both wrists in a variety of tones and textures.

Now, if designer labels are more your thing then have no fear. It was announced recently that famed evening label Badgley Mischka would be launching a line of haute, costume jewelry for their A-list socialite and celebrity clientele. The collection will debut this fall and includes pieces for day, evening and bridal. Expect cuff bracelets, bib necklaces and duster earrings in materials like hematite, pyrite and topaz. There are even baroque pearls a la Miriam Haskell, a noted vintage designer and every vintage jewelry collector’s favorite. Statement jewelry is going to be everywhere. Now the real question is, what do you buy first?