A
Apple green, the wild child of the preppy rainbow, has a refreshing tartness that can punch up any accessory. Burberry Prorsum woven-raffia bag, $695.
Burberry
B is for Bamboo
Bamboo adds a touch of nature to everything from silver jewelry to high heels. It’s part of that rustic but glamorous South Pacific wave crashing on these northern shores. Embroidered shoulder bag, Tom Ford for Gucci, $1,790 .
Gucci
C
City slickers, take note: Rodeo gear isn’t just for cowboys anymore. There’s a huge Western influence on men’s fashion this season—urbane and with a wry sense of humor. Look like you’re riding a mustang when you’re riding the subway. Tom Ford for Gucci boots, $795.
Gucci
D
Deck shoes don’t come slicker than this. Sailing in a three-tone? Speedboating is more like it. Men’s shoes, $345.
Tod’s
E
Eighties: Remember James Spader’s smirk in Less Than Zero? The look that takes a risk? Men’s loafers, $620.
Louis Vuitton
F
Flowers are back, blooming on everything from head to toe. Fanciful and pretty or splashy and tropical—if it’s a floral, go out and get it. Luisa Beccaria bag, $760.
Linda Dresner
G
Georgina Goodman, London shoe genius, balances a girlie bow with a powerhouse heel. The new ready-to-wear line has arrived here in New York, so try on a pair for size. Coral Mary Janes, around $500.
Georgina Goodman
For U.S. retailers, see georginagoodman.com.
H
Height, as in platforms or four-inch heels, will make you a tower of power. It takes a strong heel to carry off this season’s gutsy designs—or to put some muscle into a sweet frock. Pierre Hardy gilded-heel gladiator sandals, $615.
Bergdorf Goodman
I is for India
Sorry, hippies! We’re talking about the luxe side of exotic: ornate fantasy jewels and intricate metallic embroidery; elaborate designs in hot-colored combinations of claret and burnt orange. For example, this handcrafted 22-karat vermeil bib necklace, thoroughly crusted with rubies and white sapphires and dripping with garnets. Amrita Singh necklace, $1,385.
Kirna Zabête
J
Jeweled everything, all the time! Ladies, grab your Be-Dazzlers! We recommend a generous dusting of crystals for daytime and a totally out-of-control crystal extravaganza for night. Sandals encrusted with pink and silver crystals, $950.
Sergio Rossi
K
Kitsch. Haute kitsch, that is. It’s all the quality of a serious purchase with none of the Sturm und Drang. It’s time we all had a little less brow-knitting and a lot more fun. Sequined 45 bag by Chanel, $650.
Bergdorf Goodman
Saks Fifth Avenue
Chanel
L
Luxe: As in handcrafted, like these John Lobb shoes, from a single piece of leather. Luxe is in. Then again, has it ever gone out of style? John Lobb Jermyn II shoes, $1,230.
John Lobb
M is for Metallic
It’s not just gold and silver, and it’s not just jewelry. We’re talking about glittering clothing, bags, sneakers, and lipstick. Lamé, brocade, leather, paillettes—the magpies will have a field day. Metallic-turquoise cage pumps, $510.
Celine
N
Nostalgia is tugging at a set of heartstrings near you. Add to your vintage-style clothing a brand-new retro-style bag to dangle à la Hepburn—Audrey, of course—from the wrist. Prada fifties-style scarf print bag (Venice pictured here; try Rome, too), $960.
Prada
O
Organic this season means natural materials like straw and raffia punked up with metal or skins—or both. It’s not your grandma’s picnic basket. Woven-straw Coach bag trimmed with patent leather and studs, $228.
Lord & Taylor
Macy’s
Coach
P is for Pearls
Diamonds are a girl’s best buddy, but make some time for pearls, the charming new kids on the block. Lustrous pearls are everywhere: on earrings, necklaces, shoes, clothing—and now on your purse strap. Dior by John Galliano bag, $1,565.
Dior
Q
Quartz, known by New Agers for its healing properties, is the stone of the moment. Citrine or amethyst, smoky or champagne, boulder-size is best. The time to rock out is now. Kazuko bracelets, $1,400 each.
Barneys New York
R
Reptile skins give everything a come-hither edge. They’ve slithered into the men’s department to sex up penny loafers and, in this case, the humblest messenger bag, with a frisson of scaly danger. Men’s python bag, $2,700.
Bottega Veneta
S is for Sport
Sport You’ve seen shoes for cycling, running, yoga, and hoops paired with suits, jeans, and party gear—now add driving to the list. Prada has bought the original Car Shoe company, whose rubber-studded moccasins (invented in 1963) were worn by Giovanni Agnelli and the Kennedys. Men’s car shoes, $315 at Prada.
T
Tooled leather is still going strong. The look is Wild West, but it’s cool downtown too. Saddle up them ponies, cowboys: There’s a bit of Old Mexico on Madison. Handcrafted men’s bag, one of several designs from the Moab Collection, $1,800 at Ralph Lauren.
U is for Ultra
As in the ultimate, crazy, bling-bling, three-ring-circus eye party. Because sometimes metallic piping, raspberry crystals, and a dozen gilded padlocks just aren’t enough. Pink-suede Theda bag, $3,410 at Louis Vuitton.
V
Venetian glass, the latest alternative to crystals and sequins, is a ninth-century art for the space-age wardrobe. Heeled slingback sandals with foiled Murano beads, $780 at Bottega Veneta.
W
Weekend bags, like this vaguely nautical messenger, are great for a casual dockside look. Hyannisport, here we come. Men’s leather-and-canvas bag trimmed with grosgrain, $845 at Hogan.
X is for Xanadu
Paging Olivia Newton-John! Calvin Klein has the perfect early-eighties Roller Derby of a mule, like the old Candies but dressed to the gills with Lucite, a wooden heel, and a band of celery lizard. Heels, $650 at Calvin Klein.
Y is for Yellow
We cannot emphasize this enough: Bright, sunny, citrusy yellow is the color of the season. It’s strong and it’s flirty, and you can see it coming from a block away. Hogan bag, $690 at Bergdorf Goodman and Hogan.
Z
Zebra and other animal skins, real or faux, look wild and rich-bitch at the same time. It’s animal magnetism for your wardrobe, plus it goes with everything. Jungle love it! Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche zebra-print pony hobo, $995 at Yves Saint Laurent.
Photographed by Eric Piasecki
Fashion Editor: Monica Schweiger