Countdown to spring with five fabulous trends

Updating your wardrobe for spring is as easy as 1-2-3-4-5. No matter what your style, there are five key accessory pieces you'll want to grab right now and wear with everything you own! They represent the best of the runway trends and they're instant updates. So what are they? Read on ... they're right here in this week's edition of The Trend Report!

Nanette Lepore at NeimanMarcus.com

A little lace
You can't escape the blizzard of lace you'll be seeing in everything from accessories and tops to pants and skirts. It's a wonderful way to express the new romantic mood, and whether your style is sweetly Victorian or downtown edgy, you'll want to pick up a lace piece (or two) to get in on the trend. We adore the look of the essential short jacket as your number one wear-with-everything accessory. In a pretty mix of lace and crochet, you'll wear it with everything from dresses to jeans.

Trend tip: While white and ivory lace are the predominant trend, there's lots of black lace out there for downtown rockers. The flared or tiered black lace skirt or a pair of skinny black lace capris are two especially stylish ways to lace it up.

Dream weavers

Gap.com

Woven leather is the surprising way to belt most of spring's ultra-feminine styles — it also goes with trendy safari-inspired neutrals, so it's a real multi-tasker! The latest styles sit at or slightly below the waist, and they're meant to provide an eye-catching contrast to everything from lace skirts to floral dresses. To get the most from your new belt, make sure you go for a big, bold buckle and look for a woven style that allows you to cinch it wherever you like.

Trend tip: As an alternative to woven leather, you can also look for a substantial belt in brown or luggage leather — perhaps with some tooling or studded accents to sex it up. Just make sure it's at least 2-1/2 inches wide — and that it has a great buckle.

DooneyandBourke.com

Excess baggage
If you buy one accessory this season, make it the oversized, hardware-studded handbag! This statement-making piece is the “it” accessory of the year — from the rarified realm of the Chloe handbag waiting list to the latest display at your favorite retailer. We love this sleek satchel because it's so versatile, chic and pretty — there's no need to play “matchy matchy” with your outfit. Pull out all the stops with a very trendy lock-and-key closure and metal rings to which you'll attach all your hanging charms.

Trend tip: These fabulous satchels will be re-interpreted at all price points. When choosing your bag, however, go for the best that you can afford — these classic styles can be worn for years to come.

Carolee At Bloomingdales.com

Mixed media
Whether you're wearing a lace sundress or a business suit, the trendiest spring jewelry is a “mixed media” combination of natural elements — beads, wood, leather, charms and ribbons — sometimes with a touch of gold. We love this trend because it gives you so much room to express your personal style! The key piece is the long and/or layered necklace which often ties at the neck with a pretty ribbon. That versatility allows you to create different looks — double it, wear it long, wear the bow in front — experiment!

Trend tip: The “mixed media” trend includes several different color palettes, so take your pick: neutrals such as bone, wood and leather, Mediterranean-inspired mixes of coral and turquoise, or very feminine mixes centered around pearls and gemstones.

Stuartweitzman.com

Get stacked
What a fabulous season for shoe lovers! There are sooo many styles to choose from, but one of the trendiest is the leather pump or sandal with a chunky, stacked wooden heel. This substantial shoe is meant to be worn with even the most feminine styles and gives everything you own a totally updated and modern look. We love the huarache-inspired look of woven leather in a chic T-strap sandal. Watch for platform styles and little details like gleaming hardware accents.

Trend tip: Shoe addicts will also want to watch for the ever-evolving espadrille style as a trendy option. This season we're seeing stacked heels covered in woven jute, which look fresh and new, as well as more “dressed up” versions of the classic espadrille wedge.

Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more about Gordon, you can visit her Web site, TheTrendReport.com, which highlights style trends in America and across the world.

firstVIEW is the primary supplier of photos to Fashion Friday. Go to www.firstVIEW.com for the latest pictures from top fashion shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea and more.

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