SPRING is around the corner and it is time, once again, to cast away those winter woollies and step into something bright and beautiful. Designers everywhere would have several options lined up to catch the spirit of the season. But do not buy anything, until you have figured out what your accessories would be.

Fortunately, fashion has moved to a point where accessories are no longer considered an afterthought in making a style statement. The shoes you wear and the bag you sport are just as important as what you dress up in. In fact, footwear and bags have become perfect counter-mates for a complete fashion picture.

As model-turned-actress Lisa Ray puts it: "Fashion may have extended from matching clothes to matching accessories, but the path-breakers today are definitely the matching shoes and bags. They lend style to the simplest of dresses."

Says the current Mrs World, Aditi Gowitrikar: "Accessories not only reflect your personality and persona, but also lends you a distinctive look. As designer clothes become more and more uniform-like, it would be your shoes or the bag you sport that would set you apart in a crowd."

From international brands like Gucci and Rinaldi to the Indian Ashley and Meera Mahadevia, designers of bags ‘n’ boots are having a field day. Ashley, for instance, has come up with an exciting new line of "jewelled sandals" (their uppers are exquisitely embroidered) with handbags to match.

Mahadevia concentrates on colours as she shifts from routine blacks and browns to pinks, lilacs, reds and blues this season. There is also a lot of animal-printed leather — ostrich, python and crocodile prints in various hues.

"The upsurge in the accessories market is guided by the realisation that bags and shoes are items of necessity, and when put together, they make a fashion statement," observes Mahadevia. "Bags need to be styled to match shoes in contour and comfort."

So from the chequered boots and teetering stilettos to open sandals and fancy kitten heels, the styling could be rugged and sporty or delicate and feminine. Bags could be as roomy and luxurious, beautifully handcrafted or embroidered and with or without metallic clasps to complement the footwear.

While some designers have introduced "fabric" (actually, brocade) shoes and bags this season, most are sticking to leather, but with a supple, waxy look and feel. There are the many-splendoured silk and zari numbers as well in the market, vying for attention with muted gold, antique silver and shiny neons. (MF)

Cone heels: Inspired by last year’s heel shapes from Prada, Gina, Marc Jacobs and Sonia Rykiel, these elevated slip-ons may look unsteady but they are much more comfortable and easier to walk in than stilettos.

Wedges: A revival of the seventies’ style, this is the ultimate in footwear. With a well-contoured heel that keeps your feet in shape, it comes in brown, tan or summery straw and has become the natural choice for those tired of tottering in pencil heels.

Weaves: Last seen on dodgy men’s shoes in the eighties, the leather weave is back for women in colours of black-and-white and yellow-and-red. These are being sold with matching satchels and delicate, woven handbags.

Flatties: Apart from being the ultimate comfort choice, the flattie is also a perfect match for cropped trousers, light denims and summery skirts. Camel is a big colour this season, but make sure you apply a little fake tan, if you have exceptionally white feet.

Peep toes: A throwback from the chunky peep-toe stilettos of the fifties, this is admittedly not the easiest style to wear. But they look best with a simple, one-colour outfit. Designers are offering two-tone handbags to match the shoes’ uppers.

Denims: An ideal alternative to formal leather, the dreamy denim is available in a variety of dark shades and embellishments — brocade finish, zari and silk embroidery, mirrorwork... with and without heels. As always, matching bags form part of the package.

Significantly, Indians have not yet turned brand conscious and, in fact, imitations of established labels are selling better than originals because of a pricing advantage. This, according to designers like Shaina N.C, is because the accessories’ market in India is still not fully developed.