Hunter dark gray rubber heeled boot

This past winter you saw them coming and going. This spring you’ll see them in bright colors and patterns for wet weather .  And next fall, if you love

Hunter spice lace-up rubber boot

your Hunter Boots, you’ll have a chance to move the trend on to some totally new and super cool styles.  I went to their fall presentation a week or so ago, and I must say their niche line hits just the right mark.

Their  ubiquitous flat rubber rain boots deserved their huge success, but almost became this year’s Ugg, when they were worn by every woman from five to seventy-five, sometimes in not so amazing ways.  (It was sort of like when women wore athletic sneakers to work with knee-length skirts and clear pantyhose.  It  kind of gave you a twist in your fashion gut.  Not the boot’s fault – after all, they are a great product – but seeing so many  made you leery for a while after a bad sighting. )  But, even I  totally get and love their super style plus function appeal - I recently styled one of my celebrities for an editorial in an platinum Alexander McQueen satin evening gown and silver Hunters!   (I just love juxtaposition!)

Hunter berry and black cuffed rubber boot

But the Hunter folks are smart enough to stay ahead of their own game,. and have moved into completely new territory for next fall.  Their new boots are really good-looking, cool and classic with a twist.  Some could almost be called fashion-y, but still tow the classic line.

And they have THE BAG I would not hesitate to call the absolute chic-est tote of the year.  I want to own it (or

Very berry Hunter tall rubber tote

several!) in black, dark green, spice orange …  It is rare for me to walk into a store and fall in love with a bag – I’m very anti “It” bag — but this one is sleek, just plain enough to keep  people guessing its origin and it’s rubberized material gives it a cool, luxe look.  Very smart, and not just for wet weather.

Got to LOVE great design-it’s what keeps us fashion folks going!  So, bring on the rain, mud, snow, sleet, puddles, sprinklers, surf, and even the sunshine, and gather some Hunters.

Gap railroad stripe bermuda

Along with the success of “Classy”, Derek Blasberg’s recently released tome on more desired ladylike social

Banana Republic boyfriend denim shorts

behavior, can another sign of a new 21st century propriety be that the ubiquitous short shorts have become a little longer on modesty (or at least, on not being teenage sexpot trash wear)?

If my observations from this past July 4th weekend were correct, Daisy Dukes are headed the way of super, legging-tight  jeans (despite 2 very visible launches of “jeggings”  this week)– only on clueless style Neanderthals releasing their inner slut. Longer “boyfriend” mid-length shorts, “roll-up” shorts, bermudas, slouched and neat, pleated shorts all made their triumphant sartorial return along the parade route in our sleepy, but oh-so-chic hamlet not far from the big city. From what I saw on the best-looking watchers, a quintessential moment of summer style truth (just like the swimsuit try-on) –when you look at your legs and rear in last year’s favorite white short shorts — no longer has to be a bad experience.

Topshop's ivory cuffed shorts

Topshop's crossover short

All Saints grey long boyfriend short

These longer shorts look easier and slouchier and very cool. They are great  paired with a boyfriend jacket, short blazer, tunic top or bare cami top, or a bigger, slide-y tee. J. Crew, American Eagle and Gap all have terrific boy fit mid-length denim shorts, and great Bermudas in white or blue denim, khaki, faded army green, and some colors. They look sophisticated and much less obviously sexy, though still very appealing. The better to notice how crackerjack smart your mind is, not the other kind of crack, girls…

Club Monaco, Vince, Banana Republic and Zara also have more polished versions of this slightly longer, easier short in interesting variations.  These are city or party or work shorts (if your job is casual some of the time).  They make the silhouette intriguing and the wearer a subtle kind of gal.  Even shorter ,more traditional shorts are pleated and cuffed for a more finished look

And what’s not to love in this dog day heat about a look that helps you stay and be — cooler than cool?

The original Burberry Prorsum loop knot skirt

Alexander Wang drape skirt dress

The very best skirts of summer 2010 add tons of chic to an outfit, but are fun and even a bit whimsical. The reason? The coolest have great, interesting details or shapes that give them some volume – ruching, draping, pleating, layered asymetrical panels, gathering, or just a fuller cut. (Burberry Prorsum‘s, left, was one of the first down the runway for spring and an inspiration for many.)

This slight fullness makes them much more interesting than the plain old straight and narrow pencil skirt. These skirts can function almost like an accessory, adding zest and flavor to an outfit, giving the eye something to land on in the silhouette.

And, interesting skirts are also everywhere you turn at retail these days. I took a walk down lower Broadway yesterday– absolutely every store is there — and spotted windows focused on skirts from at least six or seven cool brands, and some great skirts even from brands not so cutting-edge. Then, I scrolled through some of my favorite websites to cull the right pieces for you, too. Here are some of the best to punch up your summer look:

Reiss draped skirt at asos.com

Nanette Lepore skirt at bloomingdales.com

Alexander Wang, above right, added his own version of a twist and drape that makes the wearer actually look narrower – huh? We’ll all go for that–even at $395.00, on Net-a-Porter. Club Monaco has an absolutely amazing draped skirt of their own that I have on my must-have chic and affordable list. Zac Posen for Target — quite the launch party!–has a ruched side black skirt that’s an unbelievable $34.99. The British website, ASOS, fairly new to the US, is a web-only collection with their own label designs, as well as carefully selected pieces from other lines. They have a knock-out draped pocket skirt from Reiss at about $130.00 at today’s exchange rate. At Bloomingdale’s website, Nanette Lepore’s minimally pleated skirt shows how even a little interesting detail can make a work skirt look totally up to the minute, $118.00. Elizabeth and James also have a super skirt in the most brilliant shade of yellowy-gold that’s really elegant and slightly gathered. Loft, too, has a very nice subtly side gathered beige tailored skirt at $69.50 that will get you noticed in the office, or a silky front drape one in navy or pale stone that’s $39.99 and super-attractive. (Check these out–they are well worth it, even if I don’t have pics.)

And, most all of these slightly fuller skirts are fairly short, from micro-mini to a few inches above the knee. This range has the right length in it somewhere for every body, every age.

J.Crew summer tweed gathered skirt

ASOS purple pleated and tied skirt

Fuller Burberry Prorsum skirt

The waist-gathered, pleated or”paper-bagged” skirts that are around again run the gamut from the lusted-after Burberry Prorsum to a great ladylike J.Crew summer tweed for $138.00, to an ASOS light purple pleated and tied waist version that’s about $37.00 at the current exchange rate. They’re fun and figure-forgiving if you choose one that’s not too extreme in its details. (You can also find a bit longer versions.) A-line shapes like the super J.Crew gold a-line inverted pleat skirt below are also a way to get on the fullness bandwagon.

Gathered red skirt at Opening Ceremony

Diane Von Furstenberg olive fuller skirt

Marc by Marc Jacobs fuller plaid skirt

Gathered skirts can be fun and easy, especially on hot summer days. Opening Ceremony has a charming fuller red summer skirt for $230.00 that would look super with a smaller top and a boyfriend jacket. Zara has an all black slightly gathered version, as well as a cool black and white large-scale abstract print, both for $39.90. Diane Von Furstenberg‘s gathered and rick-racked fuller skirt at $235.00 is fun for weekend/going out, or for work with flats and a jacket or shorter cardigan. And MARC by Marc Jacobs full plaid skirt at bloomingdales.com could be a new wardrobe staple with a narrow tee, sweater or shirt for any situation.

JCrew A-line skirt

A detail that also looked great was the tiered skirt — usually ruffled layers, sometimes panels. There are really good ones at Zara, Club Monaco, Loft and Express. And these tiers needn’t be only for high school kids. They can be a fun way to add interest and are great paired with a tailored jacket. Remember – don’t be afraid to show your whimsical side.

The good news is that there are so many of these newly-detailed skirts at every price point, you can be sure to find one that’s the right length, fit and degree of whimsy to suit your wallet, comfort level and your fun threshold. Dressing with individuality should always be this easy!

Lola for J.Crew Tasseled fedora

Roxy by Quiksilver Apocalypse hat

Dietrich, Kate Moss, Keira Knightley and Lindsay Lohan all have made the man’s hat their signature look at different times. It’s sexy and bold, but, playful and coy at the same time. And we all want a little of that sly chutzpah…

It is THE hat of summer 2010 – there is an absolute deluge of quirky and charming versions suddenly appearing at the most stylish mid, and

less expensive, retailers. Several hip lines have hooked up with great, cutting-edge hat designers like Lola for JCrew and Eugenia Kim for Target. Club Monaco, Uniqlo, American Eagle, Quiksilver/Roxy also all have their own versions of the classic straw or cotton men’s summer standby

American Eagle men's hat for women

for women. Meanwhile, iconic hat line Stetson has gotten hat genius Albertus Swanepoel (2009 CFDA award winner) to design several hats for them, available on its website www.stetson.com.

Eugenia Kim for Target blue ribboned fedora

These great hats look especially charming with the right softer feminine dress or top, and not always a boyfriend jacket/blazer or pantsuit– though the simplest and cleanest of lines can look amazing on the right woman. (For the most part, remember to mix your masculine and feminine pieces in one outfit – it’s the mix that makes it fun and interesting.)

Love the man’s hat look …. and the sun protection for all… I just hope it’s not too much of a good thing. Nothing kills a cool trend more quickly than when you see yourself coming and going…in a fedora yet. So, let’s have fun with this, ladies, but if you are starting to feel every high school kid has a bad one on — run the other way, and wait for the sartorial dust to settle. The fedora will always have it’s sexy place…

Today, we look at the classics you’ll likely to already have in your closet — but may want to add a new version or color to. Yes, there are …

Still Chic Shapes

The Ballet Flat:

Always top of the list for comfort, there are more ballets than ever in tons of adorable permutations. Color is a great way to add a new ballet to your wardrobe and a nice finishing surprise to an outfit. Skin

Bloch cerise ballet slipper

– any lizard or snaky looking texture is terrific (ours at http://www.ralphlauren.com), and animal print is (and will be, those of you already looking ahead to fall) really prescient and fun.

Donald Pliner leopard flat

Ralph Lauren snake ballet flat

French Sole multicolor toe cap flat

Metallics and multicolors are an especially playful way to vary your ballet look, and toecaps add an expressive spot, too.

Marc Jacobs gold ballet

But you can’t beat the buttery feel and look of the terrific neutral basic like the Michael Kors, or the chic Delman classic. And Repetto, French maker of real ballet slippers, has entered the everyday shoe market with its own rainbow of colors in patents and suedes, and metallics. (In America, at bergdorfgoodman.com.)

Repetto aqua toceap flat

Michael Kors brown ballet slipper

Delman classic ballet

French Sole, too, a terrific ballet flat resource (www.frenchsole.com), specializes in the shape, and has more colors and variations than you can possibly dream up. Tory Burch, of course, made her name with her famous “Reva” ballet flat, which is still the gold standard of the company, but has added a wonderfully shaped, just terrifically chic-simple new ballet. And, naturally, our best American interpreter of current popular chic, J Crew, has some delicious new versions of their ballet, including a pom-pom’d toe metallic flat that’s just charming. (We bet Michelle Obama has more than a few pairs…) (At http://www.jcrew.com.) Ballet flat are around at every price point, from Target to Lanvin, so pick your brand, and revel in all the choices!

Tory Burch simply chic ballet

French Sole neon abstract print ballet

French Sole’s cadet blue piped version

Sneakers:

These will never be out of style in the American fashion vernacular — or for that matter, in the world’s style repetoire. They are too comfortable and too full of stylistic and design possibilities to ever give up. What varies is just what looks the most the most current to the fashion eye. We’ve all been in love for several seasons now with Converse high-tops, low-tops, destroyed or laceless Converse versions and they’re still great, but what looks a little newer again are the simple tie Keds, Toms and Superga shapes. You’ve got to choose the right moment, but a classic white Superga can make a work trouser outfit summer-chic on a busy day. And the colors are enough to make your day on the weekend. These three companies make enough variations to make your head spin!

Alice & Olivia for Keds sequinned sneak

Keds colored linen classic

Superga's quintessential shape

Thong and T- Strap Sandals:

Nine West knotted thong

There are naturally some amazing new variations of these popular shapes, and they are still very much a good flat option from casual flip flops to high-end softest leather and patent. But, the ones that are too thin and strippy should be saved for the weekend, or an after hours casual or a going-out look. Too bare and insubstantial on a work day just doesn’t cut it. There are also some amazing jewel and stone decorated sandals in this category too — just don’t look like you’re wearing the vault contents on each foot for day. More can be more, but on your feet, it looks like they are walking you into the room. Overdone is still just that — overdone.

Calvin Klein thong sandal

Michael Kors thong sandal

D&G thong sandal

One other important style note: When you buy a flat, buy a real flat –with no tiny heels or sliver wedges. They can really look matronly and slightly dumb. No one would want to ruin such a confident look with that note.

So, summer girls, celebrate having your feet on the ground! You CAN be as COMFORTABLE – and STYLISH–as you want. Isn’t that what the season is supposed to be about, anyway? Yeahhhh…

(Note: Zappos.com was the resource for all looks not otherwise attributed.)

Alexander McQueen - Beautiful, but NOT what we mean

COMFORTABLE shoes? Can those two words live together in the same sentence? It’s Shoe Week here at Styl-d, and we’re going to find out.

Trolling through the spring/summer collections for a styling job that amazingly still wants summer clothes, I wondered all over again. Spring’s best, most amazing shoes are true works of art — with 4 0r 5 inch heels resembling statues, geometric shapes, etc. Platforms are so teeter-y and angled, it’s a true wonder models didn’t have to sign an liability waiver to walk down the runway in them. (Though there were definitely a few casualties — check out those videos!) Spring’s gravity-defying shoe sculptures can be multi-color, have fringe, beading, feathers, stones, cut-outs or the kitchen sink decorating them.

I totally appreciate their clever artfulness as a fashion editor, but these are not meant for more than an entrance-making moment and a quick sit-down. So what do those of us on our feet,moving fast and actually working for a living, do?

Ralph Lauren oxford

I took a trip through Zappos.com and a few of my favorite stores to find out:

Newest Flat Shapes

The Men’s Shoe (for women): This can be a flat, soft oxford-type lace-up, a jazz shoe, or a ghillie. Steve Madden has both. Sam Edelman, Joan and

Steve Madden soft oxford

David, Matt Bernson and Stuart Weitzman also have great ones in the mid-to-lesser price range. Robert Clergerie, Ralph Lauren and Fratelli Rosseti have cool but more costly versions. The men’s shoe looks great with a boyfriend jacket and shorts — from shorter and cuffed to

Stuart Weitzman cut out oxford

longer, but still above the knee,bermudas and cityshorts. Or, it is pretty cool with slim jeans – capris or longer — or any kind of trouser, and cute with just the right slightly fuller short skirt.

The Boat Shoe: Of course, the absolute best are from Chanel in unexpected

Sperry multi color boat shoe

multi-color pastels and bright combinations. But, again, they are great with shorts, playful short skirts (even a flirty-skirted Chanel-type tweedy summer suit!). Steve Madden has a terrific interpretation in

Sperry hot pink boat shoe

great colors and, Sperry, originator of the topsider, was not about to let its look get co-opted. Theirs come in colorful patent, multi-color suede and silver metallic. Super-comfortable, packing a weighty style wallop this season and more unexpected than sneaks.

Summer “Boot” Sandals: 2010 was the winter of the short boot with

Type Z sandal "boot"

everything — from dresses to leggings, jeans, short skirts and all manner of trousers, cropped and not. And designers didn’t want to give up that sturdy proportion for summer. So, there are a quite a few

Ted Baker sandal "boot"

open-toe boots for summer– lots with heels, like Phillip Lim’s — and a few flat ones, too.

But sandals really stepped into the heavier and higher-on-the-leg boot camp, too. From heavy gladiators versions to whole swaths of leather or fabric around the ankle, some sandals got really chunky. They look good with shorter skirts, shorts and the right casual dress– above the knee. Be careful with any pant or skirt that cuts the leg below that, though – too many horizontal lines keep you looking short, and nobody wants that!

Tapeet heavy sandal

Michael Kors high brown sandals

Nike mid sandal-boot

Enzo Angiolini boot-like sandal

Moccasins: Moccasins are a chic flat, too, this season and go with far more than the uptight preppy look we associate them with. Minnetonkas always look great with jeans, shorts and casual dresses, but

Ugg pale grey moc

now they and their slightly more upscale cousins are finishing more seriously polished trouser and shorts work looks as well. Pleated or draped, and definitely cropped, trousers are spring fashion’s newest pant shape, and they are a natural for the moccasin. You have to be careful with

Ugg olive suede moccasins

Minnetonka cool girl mocs

dresses and skirts, but the slightly fuller, flirtier ones can be great with moccasins as well as ballets and sandals.

great with jeans, shorts and casual dresses, but now they and their slightly more upscale cousins are finishing more seriously polished trouser and shorts work looks as well. Pleated or draped, and definitely cropped, trousers are spring fashion’s newest pant shape, and they are a natural for the moccasin. You have to be careful with dresses and skirts, but the slightly fuller, flirtier ones can be great with moccasins as well as ballets and sandals.

The New Gladiator:

The best gladiators (ones didn’t step out into boot territory this year) did not wrap so high up the leg, Coliseum-style, but

Calvin Klein low gladiator sandal

stopped lower on the foot, like these terrific Paul Smith neon green sandals. Any gladiator that has too much going on is a don’t this season. The cleaner-lined, less gadget-y ones are more truly chic. Bells and whistles, charms, tassels, studs, jewels don’t make a shoe more cool, only a lot more noticeable — and that’s not always positive.

Burberry low gladiator

Paul Smith low gladiator sandal

Joan & David low gladiator

**For more CHIC, FLAT-OUT COMFORT, see tomorrow’s post on what shapes are still stylish, but low as you go. Until then, be comfortable in your own shoes!

1. The Bigger Top: Slide-y, big sweaters and tees, loose tanks, dolman-sleeved, boat-neck tops and shirts, short tunics with volume and the bigger man’s shirt all look terrific over a slimmer bottom.

2. The Narrower Bottom and Leg: Skinny or slim jeans, skirts and leggings all look right with the larger silhouette on top. Best of all, the bigger tops usually hide everything you might not want seen!

3. The Bigger “Boyfriend” Jacket: Wear a slightly more voluminous (not huge and oversized, though) man’s style blazer or jacket with slim jeans, a short skirt, shorts (short or longer, they’re every bit as acceptable as a skirt now).

4. The Short, Interesting Skirt: Skirts were pretty uniformly short (from micro to a few inches above the knee), and most had details or shapes that gave them some volume – ruching, draping, pleating, layered assymetrical panels, gathering or a fuller cut. A bit more fun and whimsical than the plain old straight and narrow.

5. The Easier Dress: There certainly were still lots of body-con dresses around, but designers smartly realized that a slightly looser dress that can be belted to give it shape is more forgiving and more elegant. Not too voluminous at all – just eased up, so we can eat lunch without it showing in a bandage dress!

6. The Fuller, Shorter Trouser: Yes, skinny jeans are the look with a larger top, but, there’s an interesting option in the pleated, or gathered, cropped and peg-legged trousers so many designers introduced. Ideally, these look great with a narrower top or cropped jacket and are loose enough, sitting between your waist and hip that they make you look thin. Remember to buy them big enough – nothing’s as bad as pleats stretched to their limit.

7. The Shoe That Anchors: Whether it’s a chunky sandal, a wedge, a platform, an ankle climbing gladiator or even a summer peep-toe bootie, the heavier shoe is part of what makes your look contemporary this spring/summer.

8. The Cross-Body Bag: This newest way to wear your bag — undoubtedly inspired by stylish messengers — is diagonally from 0ne shoulder to the opposite hip. Yes, you have to put it over your head, but the great thing is that it leaves your hands free — something we all could use!

Simple stuff, right?  And most of it is actually pretty comfortable.  Remember, I didn’t include every nuance and trend on the runway–just the most basic that make a shape difference.

It’s warmer, leaves are sprouting, people are seeing and being seen again.    So — get out there and shop.  What are you waiting for?

3.1 Phillip Lim camel coat

terrific back in February, but after 2 months, I’d forgotten the vibe that sent me into fashion orbit.

As soon as I rounded the corner (after viewing the delicious, deluxe accessories in the entry – particularly a buttery, squashy leopard satchel so chic it could almost walk you into a room !), it hit me all over again. How could I forget? These are absolutely great clothes — simply, totally elegant American sportswear chic.

Following a long but stratospheric tradition that includes iconic American designers Claire McCardell, Bonnie Cashin, Bill Blass, Geoffrey Beene, Isaac Mizrahi, Michael Kors, and Marc Jacobs, Lim has picked up the golden thread of chic American classic style and made it his own. This is where classics should be in 2010. His silhouettes are tweaked, reshaped and detailed into modernity.

There were terrific coats – from a camel double-breasted

3.1 Phillip Lim gray shearling melange coat

kimono coat with a thin black leather belt to a black silk-piped short hooded camel steamlined duffel coat — and great knits. Big, slouchy, pale blue and striped gray/blue cardigan sweaters and greige textured sweater tunics were elegantly easy. A very shaggy ivory knitted cardigan and skirt were just sublime. There were great shorts in quilted leather or cotton, to be worn over thick tights.

And the shearlings! There were endless super texture combinations of suede, shearling, tweed, leather, fur and knit worked into sections that made these the season’s best American jackets and coats, all in shades of gray, ivory, beige, natural, brown and black. So yummy.

Sequin dresses and tunics often mixed with other fabrics, and with just the right amount of shine, looked terrific here in Lim’s hands, and not tired the way they seem in the stores for spring, with scores of brassy imitators of designer shine packing the racks. Dull, rich gold, matte violet and silver spelled out a luxurious message in these covetable accent pieces.

But, best of all was the blanket plaid coat, skirt, shorts and pants that just about screamed Bonnie , Bill

3.1 Phillip Lim blanket plaid coat

and Geoffrey, albeit with a modern, assymetrical touch that Lim’s young (and now older, I am sure) customers adore. In cream, grey, beige and black, it was just about the chicest thing I saw this season. I love it when that happens! What a star to watch for anyone who loves fashion.  Available in July at stores or at www.31philliplim.com.

Everyone’s in on the accessory act these days… Clothing-only retailers and

J.Crew crystal rock necklace

designers have discovered the quick-buy appeal of the covet-able accessory. Adding accessories makes for one-stop shopping, and key — accessories are a lot less expensive than a whole new outfit — that old lipstick luxury rule again. (You know, when a woman buys a lipstick to make herself feel updated.) Can recession reactionary, depression diva be far behind? Actually, let’s really hope so…

Lines that never did accessories are putting their hats — and necklaces, earrings, bags and shoes — in the ring, and others who did small groups are really

Fenton-Fallon for J.Crew Carrington crystal bow necklace

expanding. And most are doing a very good job, albeit some with the help of fairly big names in the accessory field as ghost-designers.

So, there were some really nice surprises the other day when I browsed through well-priced stores and websites for great spring necklaces–and it won’t take your grocery money to own them.

Necklaces were still big on the runway this season, and now they’re shorter, chunkier, and can be worn piled up with longer-length necklaces two or three at a time. Here are some of the best:

J.Crew has done a great job on their accessories for years now — one of the first

J.Crew crystal corona necklace

catalogs to add them into their mix. The collection has grown, but maintains its sharp focus on the key, very desirable items of a season. Here, a couple of their terrific necklaces set the standard for spring. At $128.00, their pink crystal rock necklace would look awesome against gray for day — from a gray cashmere cardigan and jeans, to a gray sheath dress, and totally great with just a gray cotton athletic tee. They’ve also teamed up with jewelry designer Dana Lorenz for Fenton/Fallon to create a really feminine but chunky beauty that needs the simplest of clothes to make you look major. Jeans, a white tee and a Chanel-type spring jacket are just perfect with this $295.00 investment piece. Their crystal corona necklace at $118.00 would be great to layer under a chunky piece, but super all on its own with, say a smooth white dress. Summer made simple.

Lee Angel's statement necklace

One of my all-time favorite jewelry designers, Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel, actually does some of that ghost designing I alluded to, but always comes up with great, very want-able, bold statement necklaces for her own line too each season. And her faceted glass disk neck on charcoal gray cord is a perfect example, adding a totally chic, sophisticated slant to any outfit. It’s $185.00, but has the originality, weight and quality of pieces 3 times as expensive.

Banana Republic's metallic tribal necklace

Banana Republic went slightly warrior fierce in their mixed metal, fringe and stud effect neck. It definitely adds edge to any classic outfit, but doesn’t go overboard. At $69.50, it can be perfect with, say, a faded chambray shirt, military jacket and shorter tan canvas skirt, or, mixed up with a geometric print wrap shirt dress (We’d love the play of the geometric shapes against each other) for work, and it can definitely still dress up a plain black tee dress for going out.

Club Monaco's two gem necklaces

Club Monaco has two great statement pieces in their “Jenny” ($139.00) and “Jordana” ($119.00) silver chain and chunky crystal gem necks. Definitely be bold enough to wear them together. After all, if you’re counting on your accessories to update your look, why not use them for the full effect. It’s pleasantly attention-getting, and that’s sort of fun! These two will add some chic shimmer to a plain dress, or become a no-brainer addition to an eclectic mix of metallic, shine, embroidery and say, denim.

Noir's square stone necklac

Noir's cubic zirconium cluster

New-ish showroom nOir is the fashion stylists’ secret weapon. Whenever we need to add something extraordinary at a good price to a look, they’ll have an amazing piece you couldn’t have dreamed up, and it’s just perfect! Although their website doesn’t have nearly as much as the designers’ showroom, it’s got lots to spark up your style. Take this clear square stone neck for $220.00 that adds heft and shine to any outfit on its own and is a great base neck for piling on other sparklies. LOVE! Or, their cz cluster neck at $228.00– a winner for a white, black, gray or navy work or evening duds, or a navy blazer, white shirt and jeans on a Saturday with friends.

Simply Vera's lucite cluster feminine neck

Simply Vera pearl cluster neck

Simply Vera pearl and chain necklace

Simply Vera Vera Wang for Kohl’s gets slightly more romantic and less hard-edged for spring with some really pretty pearl, silver and crystal necks. You can add these together or wear alone and put charm in a simple look. I also love her clear lucite crystal and jet feminine shortie — just the thing for a spring evening. Who said you have to sacrifice design for price? Sweet.

Candi Stamm's pretty rocks

Also in a more romantic softer mood this spring is cool-find indie jewelry designer Candi Stamm. Her dreamy champagne color ribbon and stone necklace ($56.00) is really flattering to skin (especially winter-tired faces!) And if champagne’s not your thing (though who doesn’t want to get a glow on?), Candi’s got a whole line of terrific pieces from dark stones and gunmetal to gold, biker chic silvers, even great color. So, visit and request pix– http://www.candistamm@nyc.rr.com. You’ll love her, and her jewelry!

Chico's ribbon,glass,metal bead neck

Chico’s glass acrylic and metal bead neck

This season, Chicos really put a lot of work into their accessories, hitting all the top trends with some very stylish offerings. Their acrylic, metal and glass bead tribal necks ($47.25 for long Simona) in a sophisticated black/blue combination echoes the “world traveler” feeling in some of the spring collections. The Corinna coral, carnelian and bronze color longer neck at $59.50 is a well-done mix of freshwater pearl, coral, glass metal and acrylic beads– a polished ethnic touch one can see with a warm-toned Chanel-type jacket, white shirt and slim pants for work, jeans for casual.

Chicos also loves a bit of shine and has endless variations of the crystal-acrylic-silver metallic-black idea, and one of my favorites is their very bold silver bead cluster neck. It could turn any dress from blah to blazing for a night out, or a simple white shirt to wow. It’s $50.75 and a real look-maker.

Ann Taylor mixed stone, ribbon, and metal neck

Ann Taylor also has a flattering color thing going in some of their best pieces this spring. A peachy coral color neck frames the face with warmth and looks great with simple classics for work, a denim jacket and tee for weekend. And at $128.00 (and $68.00 for a less elaborate peach neck), you’re buying lots of style to add zing to spring.

American Eagle doesn’t do huge or chunky, but it has some very pretty skinnier necklaces that really speak chic when added together for an effortlessly stylish look — and they’re very affordable, which we love. The pink-ribboned one is $19.50 and the other two are $15.50. Now that’s what we call “recession reaction-ary”. And that’s just really , really smart.

AE pendant cluster neck

AE's charming pink ribbon neck

AE”s stone and cord neck