Best spring accessories

One minute it's sunny and hot, the next, it's cold and snowy. Fashion says it's spring, but the thermometer says, not so fast, honey.
How do you make the transition to floaty frocks and city shorts when you're as likely to be wading through slush as tiptoeing through the tulips?

And "simple" is indeed the key word this season.
Unlike the last several years, which have been all a-sparkle with sequins and beads and brooches and every form of embellishment you can imagine, Spring 2007 is all about the signature piece.
You will want a great shoe.

A great bag. A big belt. Maybe a fabulous hat, bangle, hair band or corsage, but not all of the above and certainly not all at the same time.

This is a season when less is definitely more.
In major pieces, it's a season of strong silhouettes, of dramatic hourglass shapes or short-but-voluminous dresses and coats over long, lean legs.
When it comes to accessorizing those pieces, too much foofaraw just adds clutter to a line that should be clean, simple and pleasing to the eye.

What spring's key looks demand is an accent that is bold in both shape and colour.
Of course, even though fashion is all about simplicity right now, that doesn't mean it's necessarily easy.
There is no "it" bag or shoe or piece of jewelry, no must-have Louis Vuitton logo'd hobo or essential pointy-toed Manolo stiletto that you can just pick up and feel perfectly dressed for Spring '07.

Instead, what's chic is a bag or shoe or accessory with character, like Marni's red calf bag or Paul Smith's patent-and-floral espadrilles.
It takes confidence to really pull off a look that's this clean and strong. It takes an eye for quality and style.

And it takes a certain daring to stand out from the crowd in your red patent platforms or space-age silver belt.
But once you decide to go for bold, you'll love the ease of this kind of dressing.
And you'll love how easily you can update for spring, especially since winter black and subtle neutrals are continuing as strong colours through summer.

Simply slip on your favourite sleek black sweater or wrap dress or jacket. Pin an oversized silk flower on one shoulder. Or slip a giant cuff on one wrist.

Or tighten a wide belt around your waist, perhaps in a contrasting colour or a shimmery metallic.
Now you're ready to step into spring, no matter what the conditions are like underfoot.
In a season when less is more, what you choose to wear needs to be exactly right.

Before you go accessory shopping, take note of spring's major trends:
- Metallics: It's all part of that futuristic trend that's so hot right now. Look for bronze, gold and silver in shoes, bags and belts, even leggings and jackets.
- Sheen: Add a retro-futurist gleam to any outfit with clear plastic tote bags or shiny Lucite bangles and patent leather shoes in vivid colours.

- Colours: It's all about brights or neutrals -- wimpy pastels need not apply. Red, coral, hot pink, saffron, purple, Kelly green and Mediterranean blue sizzle, while barely there greys, blushes and beiges cool things down.