Collective Thought: Accessory Trends from Milan

Milan’s Spring 2010 collections know what women want and more importantly, what they will buy. Belts, shoes, bags, necklaces, bracelets, and scarves were piled on models at the Italian shows. The overlapping styles tell the trends of spring.

The Neck Up:

Headbands made multiple appearances in the Milan shows. Gold combs pulled back hair at Dolce & Gabbana, while simple white bands did the same at Bottega Veneta.

Silk scarves were wrapped around heads at Marni, and Roberto Cavalli used scarves as collars, branded tightly around the neck.

Above: Silk at Cavalli

Have It All:

Bangles, necklaces, rings, and earrings were piled on at shows like Dolce & Gabbana and Marni. Contrasting materials like wood, coins, and large stones created an eclectic look.

Belts:

Belts of all materials cinched natural waists in Milan. Gucci’s leather belts were clasped shut by oversized silver hardware. Marni's pretty pirates showed tied striped sashes, and Jil Sander’s were layered atop one another. The trend is to keep the width medium and to cinch them at the natural waist, any material works.

    

Detail Shots from Marni

Bags:

Bags were medium to small in size at the Milan presentations. Clutches were the most echoed style. Roberto Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana draped heavy chains around their handbags, creating both a bag and bracelet in one.

Translucent styles were featured at Prada in the form of a black plastic handbag, as well as miniscule Lucite clutches at Fendi.

Neutral colors were abundant: Khaki green surfaced under Karl Lagerfeld's design team at Frendi, and grey clutches with rose stone clasps on crocodile at Gucci.

Fendi

Footwear:

Shoes jumped from extreme platforms to masculine flats with nothing in between.

Sand colored flats were seen at Cavalli, while Dolce & Gabbana took the low road with velvet loafers and slip ons in black and red.

Fendi’s Lucite pieces were tethered by white sashes wrapped around the foot, while Prada did a similar design with clear plastic materials.

      

From Left: Translucent touches at Fendi, Prada.

Leg Wear:

Grey socks seem to be everywhere. The new approach is to put them under open toe sandals: Marni and Burberry (who usually show in Milan) are prime examples.

  

Stocking Feet at Burberry and Marni. All Photos Style.com

The Milan collections failed to push the envelope sartorially. Instead, houses decided what they do best: offer sexy clothes and a library of accessories. It is easy to that behind the Italian hubris is a simple and reliable business strategy: update with the accessory.

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