With so many vibrant colors — school bus yellows, coral oranges, wild peonies and lime greens — you could look clownish this season if you do not accessorize wisely. Perhaps you’ve already tried wearing black accessories with a new yellow dress — too much like shades de bumble bee? Consider white accessories like these picks from the Washington Post to tone down the volume on the season’s loud colors. But remember that less is more; if you go with too much white, people will say to you, “Oh, Nurse?….” The big white handbag with pockets galore is still, well, big. Take a look at Tod’s restyled D Bag tote (pictured) in crinkled white patent leather with topstitching and polished silver metal hardware ($1,550). This Versace tote is the white convertible you need to tool around town this spring ($3,330); it’s made of smooth deerskin and has flat shoulder straps that can be buckled at the base for backpack wear. Another trend that looks good in white and goes with everything is the skinny belt, such as these from YSL in fashionable patent leather ($196), Cole Haan ($65) or, for much less, Michael Kors ($23). Grab a pair of stylish gladiator sandals in white, like the Leonitus by Steve Madden ($90). Don’t forget the Jackie O sunglasses in white. There are several pairs on Ebay.com, including these ($9). Finally, update that tired old watch, usually made of black or brown leather, with this selection from Fossil, including the Boyfriend, with a white croco leather strap ($95). The Aqua Master ceramic diamond watch is luxurious with more than a carat of sparkling diamonds. Or go over the top with this Gucci lizard cocktail watch with pavé diamonds ($3,190). For something more whimsical, buckle on a white talking Japanese watch from FredFlare.com ($20). Instead of buying a new watch, consider just getting a new strap, such as the white calf Timex basic strap with a silver buckle ($6.95) or the Michele alligator watch strap at Nordstrom ($180).

It’s not always easy being green, but you can look chic doing it. With companies like Ikea and Whole Foods Market going plastic bag-free, it pays to invest in a reusable shopping tote. Uncommon Goods offers two unique options: The Recycled Newspaper market bag ($52) is made from recycled sections of The New York Times. Each bag is handmade and coated in water-resistant laminate. The Waste Not Want Not tote ($24) is made from 80 percent post-industrial recycled cotton and 20 percent post-consumer recycled plastic and features an original illustration by designer R. Nichols. Fredflare.com’s Go Green totes are made of natural canvas and printed with water-based inks, and a portion of the sales goes to the World Wildlife Fund. Delight.com’s Think Green organic Kermit tote ($38.95) is made of organic cotton and comes with three detachable green-themed buttons. Buy a tote emblazoned with “My Bag Cares” and be in your face with your environmental consciousness. For each $20 bag purchased, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree in your name in the U.S. Fashionistas can trot out a Marc by Marc Jacobs canvas tote with logo lettering on the front ($148) or Juicy Couture’s Go Green tote featuring a heart-shaped recycling graphic ($75). Shoe company Nine West has partnered with Project Green to create reusable canvas bags ($20) featuring the slogans “Green Girls Are Sexy” and “Fashion Cares, Green Is Chic.” Seeking a one-stop-shop for reusable bags? Try ReusableBags.com, a comprehensive site showcasing all sizes and shapes of shopping bags, reusable bottles and lunch bags.

Channel your inner Greek goddess this spring with a pair of gladiator sandals. (Hey, it worked for Russell Crowe, right?) InStyle declares them the “hottest shoe for spring and summer.” The Los Angeles Times says the shoes are so “ubiquitous” on Robertson Boulevard in Beverly Hills “you’d swear some extras from 300 are doing their spring shopping.” Not surprisingly, starlets ranging from Miley Cyrus to Naomi Campbell are flashing the shoes on their fashionable feet. So can you. Money not an object? Bettye Muller’s snake-embossed gladiator sandal ($420) is the perfect complement to spring’s flowing, feminine dresses. For a sassy twist on the shoe without breaking the bank, try Alloy’s serpent sandal (pictured), which adds a little edge with a decorative snake slithering down the top of the shoe ($39.50). Another bargain if you don’t mind man-made materials: Alloy’s Grecian sandal in green or black ($29.50). Piperlime’s Mia Rome sandal can up the edgy quotient on a pair of basic khaki shorts ($70). For those seeking comfort and style, Aerosoles’ Hypnotic sandal ($55) is a steal at Zappos.com. For a sporty take on the trend, try Merrell’s San Remo shoe, undoubtedly suitable for a casual hike in the mountains ($70). Vertically challenged? Just can’t stand flats? Linea Paolo makes a stiletto version of the sandal, the Brittany ($140). Talk about a modern spin on a classic.

If you appreciate colorful graphic design and are always on the lookout for something different, then you need to check out the witty wares of Dublin-born designer Orla Kiely. In 1993, after studying textiles at the National College of Art and Design in Ireland, Kiely was commissioned to produce a line of hats for the swanky London department store Harrods. It was not long before Kiely went on to develop a collection of bags, accessories and clothing. Today Orla Kiely products are carried in over 300 stores in 25 countries around the world. We first spotted Kiely’s products at Anthropologie, where we were smitten with her crayon crocus tote ($178). This laminated cotton canvas bag has four inner pockets and is roomy enough to carry your laptop and any other supplies you need to get you through the day. Frequent fliers might also want to snap up the coordinating crayon crocus wheelie ($348) – both pieces can be carried on the plane for hassle-free jet-setting. At Oliebollen.com, we found a bunch of neat stuff, including this wallflower coat ($485; pictured) and these stem print wellingtons in moss ($99). But to fully realize the scope of Orla Kiely merchandise, you’ll need to go to her UK site, where you’ll find her entire collection of clothing, shoes, bags, wallets and products for the home. Here you can buy everything you need to surround yourself in Orla Kiely. We loved the whimsy of this multi rhododendron dress with detachable bow ($498), but you might prefer the more subdued, retro inspired lace texture dress in red with contrasting cream trim ($387). In the bag department, we fell in love with the big car print collection and had a hard time deciding between the weekend bag ($225), travel handbag ($149) or shoulder bag ($140). If you’re more in the house mode, you’ll definitely want to peruse her line of wallpaper and lampshades. Even if you opt for a simple coffee cup, it’s sure to brighten your day.

Do a Google search for “plastic shoes” and the first site to come up is Crocs (pictured). Originally intended as a slip-resistant boating and outdoor shoe when introduced in 2002, the bulbous, brightly colored sandals quickly became wildly popular with kids and adults around the world, much to the chagrin of the style-conscious. (See I Hate Crocs, a site devoted to destroying the omnipresent footwear. There’s even a store where haters can purchase anti-Croc T-shirts and pins.) Those who swear by their Crocs love Croslite, the foam resin from which they are made, which forms itself to the foot and causes them to be extremely comfortable and durable, not to mention relatively inexpensive when compared with Birkenstocks, another popular, much maligned “ugly” shoe. To view the wide array of shoe styles now available from Crocs, including heels, check out the company’s footwear section. But wait. These are plastic. Plastic is bad for the planet, right? It sits in landfills and ends up in the stomachs of wildlife. Aren’t we all trying to be more ecologically aware? That’s where SolesUnited comes in. Launched by Crocs, Inc., in January, the footwear donation program aims to get folks to recycle their old Crocs, which will be made into new “quality footwear for people in need worldwide.” Crocs has already donated more than one million pairs of shoes through SolesUnited, with celebs such as Madonna and Wyclef Jean lending their support to the program. Meanwhile, Brazilian-made Melissa Shoes, also plastic, are the product of a socially responsible company that employs sustainable practices and pays its employees above-average wages and benefits. Check out the Desire & Triton Red Hot Heels ($58) and other styles at Kaight. All shoes are made from Melflex, a recyclable, extremely flexible PVC. The company also recycles 99.9 percent of the factory’s water and waste and even recycles overstocked styles into next season’s collection.

Designers of women’s golf clothing are ensuring that women are swinging in style. Drive them wild on the course with mod ensembles from Tracey Lynn, such as the leopard print skort ($72) and matching shirt ($79, pictured) or the chrome skort ($80) and matching reversible chrome vest ($113). Pahr Fairway Essentials offers a variety of look-at-me sportswear and are currently running a 50 percent-off sale. The $70 bright green and blue Abigail argyle shorts are now $35. The adorable cute green and white Kangaroo sleeveless top is also $35; and the very short khaki and pink Scramble shorts are $25. AdidasGOLF’s ClimaCool textured polos are made from fabric that wicks, dries and breathes and come in an array of colors ($60). Gogie Girl, which specializes in golf headgear, is an official licensee of the LPGA. The lavender and brown corduroy Dottie cap is part of Gogie Girl’s signature polka-dotted line ($22); the lightweight Janie visor has black cotton fabric on the underside of the bill to reduce less glare($22). Women’s golf shoes have come a long way, style-wise, in the last several years. Sandbaggers’ wide selection includes the Fiona Sunburst, leather shoes decorated with white flowers on a yellow background ($124.50) or the Lucy Aqua Chill, fun blue-and white-striped golf sandals ($99.50). For more information and advice on women’s golf clothing, go to 19thhole.com, which reviews golf clothing and accessories.