Ask any designer, fashion stylist ­— or even your chic friend next door — and they will tell you the same thing: When it comes to exuding posh personal style, it’s all about the details.

When I first moved to Milwaukee in 2000, I knew I had to up my fashion game. While my look was a standout in Door County, where I was raised, and UW-Oshkosh, where I went to college, living in a thriving city with an abundance of arts, culture and fashion meant a style upgrade.

Of course, as a recent college grad (with a plethora of student loan debt) and a low-earning salon receptionist job, my pocketbook was slim, at best. So, I turned to a new friend — whose style I continue to be awed by all these years later — who told me "a great handbag, fabulous shoes and a well-cut jacket will get you everywhere." He could not have been more right.

Today, a noteworthy handbag and classic shoes define my style like golden curls define Marilyn Monroe. And all these years later, I have been lucky enough to add a chic arsenal of signature jewelry pieces, patterned hosiery, vintage-look sunglasses and bold-print scarves. I keep my wardrobe simple, and let the details do the talking.

It’s this appreciation for accessories that ensured a wide, sincere smile on my face as I watched the Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week collections in New York City last September. In most shows — from Michael Kors and Diane von Furstenberg to Tommy Hilfiger, Tory Burch and everyone in between — accessories took center stage, both as an added touch to already strong designer looks and as a bold statement in and of themselves.

Here’s a look at some of my favorite accessory trends for this season:

Tribal Touches — Ethnic prints adorn handbags (some with wooden handles) and shoes (especially wedges and esradrilles) this season, adding a pop of print to the most basic jeans and T. Or, pair a classic dress with a large metallic cuff and tribal necklace to maximize the trend.

Ladylike Pastels — Oh, "Mad Men," will your ’60s influence ever fade away? Not that I want it to! The fresh sorbet colors of ’60s fashion (think mint green, cotton candy pink, Robin’s egg blue and lemon yellow) are a soft, ladylike approach to style this summer. Look for the colors on clutches, chain-strap shoulder bags, pumps with classic details and silky neck scarves.

Futurism — Metallics are strong this season, with a heavy rotation of futuristic silver and gold. Mirrored accents, see-through fabrications and space-age shapes abound in clutches, footwear and jewelry. Pops of neon also exemplify this trend.

Florals — These are not your grandma’s florals. Think clusters of beaded flowers on dainty evening bags; summer sandals with floral applique and fabric adornments; and tropical floral prints on pumps. It’s the louder side of pretty.

Statement Earrings and Bracelets — Goodbye, statement necklaces; hello, bold earrings and piled-on bracelets. "The bigger the better" is the catch phrase for this summer’s ear gear, whether its a clustered sparkling clip on, shoulder-grazing tribal drop or bold beaded flower dangler. And don’t shy away from the wrist candy: Pile on mix-and-match bangles of all shapes and sizes, oversized cuffs, metallics to the max, eco-chic wood pieces and even hand-painted varieties.

No matter how you punctuate your look this season, don’t be afraid to try something new. Repetition confines the soul, so take a chance, and live life to its fullest — in style.