Au Natural: Spring Accessories Report

Lori and Nichole are busy shop- erm, working the accessories shows in New York. We caught up with them on the phone and got the low-down on what's hot in the coming months.

From bags to brooches the buzzword is "natural." Perhaps the nation's ecobession with green has turned spring palettes neutral, or it may be a fresh take from fall's black mood. Or simply spring's perenially lighter mood. Any way you slice it, we're seeing a ton of beige, cream and taupe accessories with heavy embellishing, appliques, and splashes of bright color.

Strains of ethnicism, craft and tribal influences – dormant during the fall boot craze – have been revived. Materials move away from leathers to cotton canvas, wooden beads and big, chunky yarns.

Necklaces remain big and layered. Unlike fall's leather-and-metal, elegant rhinestone-crusted estate pieces, this spring we will make statements with ethnic-inspired designs and natural materials.

Mix-matched fabrics and bright colors on a neutral base dominate the bags. No one color stands out as the season's "it" hue. Applique and embellishment in broad strokes cover large shoulder bags. Some styles are arriving soon; the majority will arrive in February and March.