Our favorite accessory picks to keep you on trend this season.

The eye-catching shoe, the to-die-for purse or perfect pair of sunglasses, they induce covetousness from all but the most prudent. And you can’t blame us really, after all, accessories are what separate us from the animals as Olympia Dukakis famously opined as Clairee Belcher, in the ’80’s classic Steel Magnolias.

That wise character knew that style is in the small details. Those finishing touches can really transform the simplest of outfits, making accessorizing an essential skill for those who keep one eye on fashion and the another on the planet.

In a season that embraced trends as pastiche as pastel colorblocking, sheer paneling, solid gold throwbacks and flamenco ruffles, the best strategy – for those hoping our new purchases remain relevant beyond the end of June – is to keep your basics basic and focus on accessories to keep you on trend.

Image: Stella McCartney

1. Stella McCartney’s Valerie faux suede platform sandals feature a transparent wedge in this seasons hottest material plexi. Part of the 90’s revisit, the see-through trend is a clear hit this season.

Image: Warby Parker

2, Inspired by the mod feel of the ‘60s, hexagon-shaped sunglasses are a unique way to inject this seasons trend for geometric retro designs into your look. In addition to being beautifully made by design-centric designer frames maker, Warby Parker, for every pair of glasses sold, a pair will be donated to a person in need.

Image: I. Ronni Kappos

3. Spring’s dominating pastel palette has even die-hard goths dreaming of sugar and spice and all things nice. They’re easy to love, but harder to mix in with an already established wardrobe of darker clothing. A subtler way to add the prettiness of pastels to your seasonal look is to wear one of Ronni Kappos delicate pieces. Made from a collection of vintage glass beads salvaged from a long-forgotten German glassworks factory, the pigments used in the creation of the beads are no longer available making each piece a one-of-a-kind treasure.

Image: Vogue.co.uk

4. While the ‘it’ bag trend has lost some of its steam recently and so much of the pressure to change the color of our purses each season evaporated, the need for a classic carryall remains. Gucci launched the world’s first collection of zero-deforestation handbags during Paris Fashion Week last month. Guaranteed to have caused zero-deforestation, the eco versions of its Jackie, Hobo, and Tote bags each come with a passport detailing the exact history of its chain of supply, ensuring that all the cow hides used are legally and ethically produced.

Image: Beklina

5. Paisley prints are among the trendiest patterns this season. Hui Hui’s colorful and large scarf in string paisley print is made from 100 percent silk and adds a bohemian air to every look. Hui Hui is an independent German designer creating luxury scarves with hand crafted detailing, good ethics, high-end construction with a focus on amazing fresh modern prints.

Top Image: Adorned Magazine

The post 5 Spring Accessories: It’s All In The Details appeared first on EcoSalon.

The scarf is a travel essential. Uniquely useful for transforming easy basics into a chic-looking outfit, keeping warm when temperatures drop or even for fashioning a makeshift mantilla.

This generously-sized silk scarf from cult-in-the-making German design label, Hui Hui is inspired by Julian Schnabel’s vivid and colorful work. And, as I discovered this week, it’s perfect for hiding a camera behind – making you look more stylista than turista.

Made from 100% silk, small production, hand crafted detailing. Available in 3 different color/print ways.

$240.00

The post Lustables: Hui Hui Scarf appeared first on EcoSalon.

Unwrap and Unravel: Three new dresses for spring.

Nothing says easy, breezy springtime style more than throwing on a lightweight, laid-back dress. If the latest spring/summer store arrivals are any indication, dresses are so having a moment right now. Perhaps this year’s siren call, the more linear midi and maxi length stretch tube dresses don’t appeal. Admittedly, some top notch ankles and shoulders are required to carry off the look’s enticing allure. Consider instead opting for the season’s new short dress to match your elevated Vitamin D level spring cheer.

While a dependable dress is often the working girl’s wardrobe staple—faithfully turning up for every event, interview or hot date, this reincarnation can’t boast having a head for business nor a bod for sin. Office-suitable shifts and wraps or body-con bandage styles are most definitely out, the new shorter length silhouette is instead semi-structured, delicately voluminous and preferably geometrically seamed.

Sensitive to the changing mood, designers are employing bold colors, vivid prints and flattering sleeves to underscore the new dress style’s demure feminity, communicating the look’s sense of humor, personality and essential simplicity.

Now is the time to assess a winter rut of wearing the same clothes day in and day out. I’m kinda over my skinny-jean and oh so artful layering and accessorizing techniques and long for the freedom of a sunnier approach. It feels good to be in sync with nature. Ironically, as carefree as this look is, achieving its spontaneous élan vital requires careful, studied consideration. Gear down accessories to a minimum and opt for a simple strappy shoe, wedges work best.

Take a look at my sustainably made picks for this season’s best examples of the new dress:

Above: German designer, Hui Hui’s standout Silk Apron dress. Hand-crafted construction, small production and made from 100% silk, the
versatile and adjustable dress has a slant V neckline and drawstring hem that allows the dress to be worn in various ways (up or down, inside out, long or short), and has enclosed finished seams throughout. The light weight silk is printed with a Vogue Vibe print on grey base, with splashes of pink, green and yellow.

Rogan’s Electra Dress is made from white haze silk. It features a deep V neckline and draped envelope sleeves in contrast slub knit with seam detail. Comes with contrasting black slip.

The Baobab Dress by Bodkin buttons half way down, has clean lines, pockets and most of all illustrates the new crisp sense of comfort. Made of 100% Cupro. Cupro is regenerated from natural fibers. It wears like cotton (durable), but has the luxurious hand of silk.

The post Body-Con Begone: Three New Dresses For Spring appeared first on EcoSalon.