Accessories To Revamp Your Wardrobe
If you can't afford to buy a whole new spring wardrobe, accessories can easily update your look. But do you have to spend a lot of money on shoes and handbags for just one season?
Cheryl Kramer, beauty editor at "Redbook" magazine, puts co-anchors Julie Chen and Hannah Storm to the test.
Play along on Wednesday on The Early Show and find out if you can tell which accessory is a discount and which is the designer item.
Here are some of the discount and designer items featured and the scores from our anchors:
Buckle shoes: The hardware trend is very hot for spring, says Kramer, and you will see a heavy-metal edge streaked through spring collections in zippers, buckles, chains and studs. The shoes are sporty, but still sexy.
1 Discount: Chinese Laundry buckle slide, $44.99
2 Designer: Coach "Natalie" buckle slide, $156.00; Telephone number: 1-866- 262-2440
What's the difference: Coach is a leather shoe with fabric at the buckle, while the Chinese Laundry shoe is all fabric (denim). The buckle is heavier and more substantial on the Coach shoe.
Anchors' discount pick:
Julie: 1
Hannah: 2
Casual Summer Bags: The circle-handled bag is the big trend for the season, according to Kramer. It comes in all shapes and fabrics, such as crochet, canvas and straw.
2 Discount: Fashion Doll, $45
1 Designer: Elaine Turner Designs, $275
What's the difference: The Elaine Turner bag has more structure, says Kramer, plus a top closure and pockets inside. The Fashion Doll bag is an unstructured sack.
Anchors' discount pick:
Julie: 1
Hannah: 2
Dressy Summer Bags: Kramer say sthe color to watch is white. White leather bags were all over the runways and the hobo shapes are in demand.
2 Discount: Guess?, $65
1 Designer: Rafe New York, $350, Telephone number: 1-800-486-9544
What's the difference: Kramer says the Rafe bag is made of real leather while the Guess? bag is vinyl, but it's a great knockoff.
Anchors' discount pick:
Julie: 1
Hannah: 1
Summer Hats: Hats were in for winter and the trend continues into the spring and summer, says Kramer. And the hip bucket hats reign over most designs.
1 Discount: Lord and Taylor's Wooden Ships, $28; Telephone number: 1-800-223-7440
2 Designer: Buzz by Jane Fox, $55
What's the difference: You're paying for the design, says Kramer. The striped Wooden Ships hat has a more traditional golf print with basic white on the reverse. The more expensive hat has a fresher bamboo print with polka dots on the reverse.
Anchors' discount pick:
Julie: 1
Hannah: 1
Necklaces: A medallion necklace is hot for spring, says Kramer, and it will easily dress up a simple outfit.
2 Discount: Dana Tag, $28
1 Designer: Gara Danielle, $198
What's the difference: The Gara Danielle necklace is the real thing made of 14k Gold, coral beads, and handcarved alabaster. The Dana Tag necklace is made of resin, molded to look hand-carved.
Anchors' discount pick:
Julie: 1
Hannah: 1
Bracelets: Charm bracelets continue to be popular this spring, says Kramer. They can be used to incorporate an outfit into the country club or '50s trend.
1 Discount: Top Shelf brass heart charm bracelet with Swarovski crystals, $30; Telephone: 1-800-648-4662
2 Designer: Tommasini gold chain and pink rhinestone charm bracelet, $87.00, Telephone: Liana, New York City 1-212-873-8746
What's the difference: In the designer bracelet, you are getting real gold. The Top Shelf bracelet is made of brass and has crystals. The Tommasini bracelet is also much heavier than the Top Shelf one. Also, the charms on the Tommasini bracelet are studded on both sides, but only one side of the Top Shelf item has studs.
Anchors' discount pick:
Julie: 2
Hannah: 2
Julie and Hannah tied getting only 2 points each, which proves you don't have to splurge to look polished this spring.