Life

Fashion: Shining example of glitz and glamour in the style stakes

From chunky chokers and shoulder-sweeping earrings, to sweet friendship bracelets and modern pearls, Katie Wright reveals how to accessorise with aplomb this season

Tresor Paris Titanium and Pearl Effect Earrings, available from tresorparis.co.uk
Tresor Paris Titanium and Pearl Effect Earrings, available from tresorparis.co.uk Tresor Paris Titanium and Pearl Effect Earrings, available from tresorparis.co.uk

THE fastest way to update your wardrobe (no need to spend hours in the fitting room), jewellery can make all the difference to an outfit, and you don't have to spend a fortune, either.

With a bit of know-how you can recreate impactful catwalk and celeb-inspired looks at high street prices.

These are the trends to try now...

CHOOSE A CHOKER

Part of the seemingly never-ending 90s revival, chokers have been adopted as the cool-girl necklace of 2016, and they've been seen on the Dior, Alexander Wang and Balmain catwalks too.

You've essentially got two choices here: go retro with a black velvet ribbon embellished with diamante detailing, or pair a wide fabric choker with a tube top for a Kendall and Gigi at Balmain homage.

:: Pretty Little Thing Layla Black Slinky Ring Detail Choker, £5 (www.prettylittlething.com)

:: Zara Taylor Teardrop Jewel Choker, £18 (www.zarataylor.co.uk)

:: River Island Choker, £12 (in store end of August; www.riverisland.com)

GET HOOKED ON OTT EARRINGS

The Oscar de la Renta show always sets the eveningwear agenda for the season, and most recently, creative director Peter Copping has decreed that long, jewel-encrusted earrings are the perfect pairing for gowns after dark, while over at Dolce & Gabbana, huge, colourful chandeliers grazed model's shoulders.

The truth is, you can adopt the 'more is more' mantra day or night - giant, attention-seeking earrings are always the answer when faced with the old 'I've got NOTHING to wear' dilemma.

:: Glitzy Secrets Deco Desire Earrings, £35 (www.glitzysecrets.com)

:: Accessorize Elizabeth Elaborate Earrings, £12 (www.accessorize.com)

GIVE PEARLS A WHIRL

Forget delicate strings of tiny, milky beads, this season pearls are back and they're bolder than ever, the biggest found swinging from model's lobes at Marni.

There's still a sense of restraint on the high street, however, as oversized pearls are spaced out on bar or jacket earrings, or gathered in threes on chunky rings – this is how to be a pearly queen now.

:: Tresor Paris Bonbon Titanium & Pearl Effect Earrings, £17 (www.tresorparis.co.uk)

:: Topshop Pearl Bar Earrings, £10 (www.topshop.com)

:: Ted Baker Doriann Triple Pearl Ring, £39 (www.tedbaker.com)

:: More to Adore Three in a Row Ring, £49 (www.cadenzza.co.uk)

REACH FOR THE STARS

It was only a matter of time before the star and moon motifs so popular in the Nineties started appearing in the shops, but this time around, the celestially-inspired pieces are super-chic.

M&S has produced a gorgeously gothic range centred around crescent moons and bejwelled stars, while Portuguese designer Lia Goncalves' latest collection, which features beautiful, crated-covered moons, is out of this world.

:: Lia Goncalves Moon Pendant, £117 (Scar-id.com)

:: M&S Collection Earrings, £12.50 (available in September; www.marksandspencer.com)

ENTER THE FRIEND ZONE

If layering necklaces and adding stacks of rings is your thing, you'll love the plethora of friendship bracelets on the high street this season.

From super-skinny and charm-laden, to beaded and tassel-embellished, don't worry about matching these boho-tastic bracelets (or buying one for a friend), just load 'em up and go.

:: Ruifier Flirty Red Bracelet, £79 (www.conranshop.co.uk)

:: Butterfly Coachella Tassel Black and Gold Bracelet, currently reduced to £8 from £16 (www.butterfly-jewellery.com)

:: Accessorize Orion Stone Coin Friendship Bracelet, £15 (www.accessorize.com)

GET THE LOOK

Jenna Coleman wowed at the world premiere of ITV's forthcoming series Victoria, in a look plucked straight from the Erdem AW16 catwalk. And the actress is bang on trend because moody florals are major news for autumn, as shown by the glut of black embroidered dresses that have just landed in Zara. Snap one up before they sell out.

:: Zara Embroidered Dress, £49.99 (www.zara.com)

BUY IT NOW

Bringing new meaning the term pencil skirt is this cutie from Cath Kidston. Part of the adorable Pencils and Story Books range, it's got 'back to school' written all over it...

:: Cath Kidston Pencils Cotton Midi Skirt, £50 (www.cathkidston.com)

FASHION FLASH

:: RETAIL RAGE

Shopping – pleasure or pain? According to a new survey, 38 per cent of women dread the thought of having to rifle through the racks, with poor changing room facilities the number one shopping complaint, followed by inconsistent sizing and untidy stores. Nearly half (48 per cent) of the 1,000 women polled by plus-size brand Scarlett & Jo said they think stores target only unattainably thin young women, and 60 per cent feel they waste too much time in the fitting room trying on multiple sizes.

STYLE STEAL

Glove shoes have been one of this year's biggest shoe stories, but if you're still not sure about the clingy court style, here's a risk-free way to try the trend. Boohoo's Tilly High Vamp Block Heel Ballet Shoes, available in gold or nude, are just £18, the cheapest we've found on the high street (www.boohoo.com).