Accessories Trends by City
What cool girls are wearing in Paris, L.A., Hong Kong, and beyond.
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Thanks to the proliferation of same-sameness caused by globalization, social media, and chain retailers, it's easy to assume that each season's accessories trends are identical from one major city to the next. After all, these days it's as easy to buy a certain handbag in Stockholm as it is in Milwaukee—all you need to do is head to the local H&M. But just as each place has its own distinct culture, its denizens have their own style tribes and preferences. To find out what's cool right now, we tapped some of the most in-the-know girls around the world to share the bags, shoes, and jewelry trends making waves in their towns.
Hong Kong: Athlesiure
"Athlesiure is just starting to catch on in Hong Kong," says Coline Choay, who travels to the city frequently for her work in haute couture market communications at Chanel. In addition to sporty backpacks, phone cases, and other athletic-striped accessories, Choay says she's been seeing leather caps all over the place. "Loads of girls are wearing them here. They're everywhere."
Adidas Black & Neon Sorbet Alliance 2 Sack Pack, $10; c21stores.com
Paris: Basket Bags
"So many cool girls are carrying a basket bag á la Jane Birkin this season," Paris-based journalist Lauren Bastide says. "It was something you usually witnessed only during summertime, but now they're wearing wearing them in winter, too. That's the way Jane wore it—rain or shine."
Kilometre GPS Bag, $85; kilometre.paris
New York City: Velvet Booties
"I've been seeing a lot of heavy fabrics for accessories, and velvet seems to be the material of choice," says Rajni Lucienne Jacques, a creative consultant based in Brooklyn. "A lot of girls are rocking velvet booties in jewel colors. They are what I like to call sock booties with a slight point—it's pretty much the Yeezy effect."
Zara Velvet High Heel Ankle Boots, $119; zara.com
Los Angeles: Big, Bold Hoops
"I've been seeing a lot of heavy, gold pieces," says L.A,-based jewelry designer Ariel Gordon Maffei. "It isn't really about a thin little whisper of gold anymore; it's more about big, Jenny-from-the-block hoop earrings. More is more. Pile it all on."
Ariel Gordon Standard Endless Hoop, $795; arielgordon.com
Sydney: Chokers
"It's definitely still about the choker," in Sydney, Australian jewelry designer Samantha Wills says. However, as Wills sees it, the trend has gotten more refined. "I'm seeing lots of glitter chains or layered necklaces that have a choker element, or girls are mixing a fine chain with a velvet choker," she explains.
Lacey Ryan Double Dagger Choker Necklace, $66; shopbop.com
London: Fishnets
In London, the stocking trend so often associated with '50s pin-ups and '70s punks is back. But this time, as U.K.-based fashion photographer Holly McGlynn points out, they're popping up in the form of socks and being worn with almost every type of shoe imaginable. "Loafers, trainers, open-toe platforms—the list goes on and on," she explains. To really nail the look, McGlynn recommends leaving "a gap between the end of your hem and the top of the sock."
Asos Oversized Fishnet Socks, $5; asos.com
Austin: Oversize Chain Links
"Per the overall maximalism trend, there's an oversize chain link jewelry look coming up in Austin right now," says stylist Margaret Williamson Bechtold. "Earrings, chokers, bracelets—you name it, the bigger the better. It works with Texans' more-is-more style philosophy."
Annelise Michelson Ellipse Chain Bracelet, $560; saksfifthavenue.com
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