I don’t know whether items with built-in chains will actually make it through the laundry process, as few of the embellishments are detachable. l guess there’s only one way to find out. Mixing and matching separate necklaces with separate tops seems more laundry friendly and versatile. But there is something to be said for having it ALL on a platter. Do you like the look? Do you think this item will survive its first wash if you can’t remove the chain?

I know what you’re thinking – hose is dressy. The same way you might think that dresses are generally dressy. But these perceptions are not entirely true because dresses worn with hose can look relaxed if you add casual elements into the mix. The picture below shows gals in dressy ensembles matched with black textured hose and heeled pumps. The hose smartens up the outfits for sure. But wear the hose with a pair of flat, casual boots and a casual dress or skirt and you’ve dressed down the look.

For example, try one of my favorite looks for Autumn: a no-nonsense day dress with Frye boots and sheer black checked hose. This pairing is unexpected and more visually interesting than falling back on plain old black opaques.

Fashion unites us, but style sets us apart. It’s HOW you wear the item that makes the difference. Anyone can purchase black textured hose and wear it with pumps and a dressy frock, because that’s the combination that makes traditional sense. But wearing fashion items in unconventional ways can often be a lot more fun. This also helps you get the most out of a small wardrobe, which is a real cost saver. An all-round win.

Wearing black boots with black textured hose is flop proof because it gives you a long leg line. Mismatching the colour of the hose and the boots can be done, but you might find it harder to achieve the long lean line.

I adore the simple statement of a chunky cuff on a bare arm. Wear a fab watch on the other arm and you’re good to go. It’s clean, easy and visually effective. A great way to mix up your look when you want to give statement necklaces a break, which at the moment, I’m eager to do. I need a change of menu.

As with other strong statements (animal print, for example), stick to incorporating one biker inspired piece to your outfit at a time. Do not wear a moto jacket, studded belt, biker boots and studded cuff all at once. Too much and not so fab. I like the idea of creating a contrast, like combining an uber feminine black belted dressy frock with a red biker cuff. Quite yummy.

This trend is not for everyone. You do need a bit of edge in the rest of your ensemble for it all to work together. If your look is very understated, then a studded cuff will probably be out of place.

I’ve found that cuffs like these fit more easily than bangles because you can usually adjust the size. As much as I adore the wide chunky version, my dainty wrist looks best in the narrower double-wrap style like the red example you see above.

The look is pretty over the top, but practical at the same time. I guess you could wear a woolly hat and scarf, or a hooded jacket and scarf to achieve the same cozy effect. You’d have hat hair either way, but at least with a separate hat and scarf, you’d have the advantage of your hair peaking through which is often more attractive.

Will you be wearing a snood this winter?

So when I have clients who wear their specs all day every day, I start the journey of their style renewal by shopping for frames. There is little point updating a wardrobe and hairstyle when the most important accessory that you own is neither current nor flattering.

As a fashion stylist who wears glasses, I have spent many, many hours seeking out killer specs for myself, friends, family members and clients. It is all about experimentation, but over the years I’ve also developed the following guidelines:

• Find a handful of reputable eyeglasses stores: Do the homework of finding stores that have skilled sales assistants and sell a wide assortment of eyewear from all over the world (Japanese, French and Danish frames are my favourites at the moment). You’re after stores that sell it all, from classic and modern looks to retro and completely over-the-top vibes. That way you’ll maximize your chances of finding a killer pair.
• Try on many styles: Do not go into the process with a preconceived notion of what you think might work unless you know for sure from previous experiences. Try as many different shapes, styles and colours as possible. You’ll be surprised at how quickly the cherries stand out. In some instances certain style features are a must because of comfort issues. For example, I find nose pads uncomfortable so my frames have to be plastic.
• Bring along a style savvy friend: Often, you can’t adequately judge the frames you’re fitting because you have to remove your current specs to try them on (wearing contacts during the process helps). Sales assistants are not created equal so it’s imperative to bring along as extra set of stylish eyes. For me, Greg is hands down the best person to assess a new pair of specs and I trust his aesthetic judgment implicitly.
• Frames MUST LIFT: I cannot stress this point enough. Specs look best when they lift the cheek and eye area at the bottom outside corners of the frames upwards. If they don’t, your facial features look like they’re drooping which is unattractive. So be wary of the vertical height of the style. It’s awfully unflattering if it’s too high or sags downwards.
• Your eyes should be centered within the frames: They don’t need to be absolutely dead center, but thereabouts is good.
• Match the scale of the frames with your facial proportions: Bold, oversized frames are dramatic and fabulous, but that doesn’t mean they will work for you. A small person with dainty facial features is overwhelmed in thick, chunky frames. But that person can still wear bold frames if they choose a refined version of a chunky style.
• Follow the line of your brows: Choose a frame shape that mirrors the arch of your eyebrows.
• Don’t be scared of extra width: Many people wear specs that are too narrow for their face. Their eyes may be centered and the style “lifts upwards”, but the narrow width of the frames constricts the face. You want a shape that “opens up” the face, so add a little width to the top outside corners of the frames. It makes a world of difference, often balancing out a pear shaped face.
• Think in three dimensions: You see your frames from the front, but everyone else sees them from all angles. They also catch glimpses of the inside of the frame. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to temple and inside colour detailing. Often, if the colour on the inside of the frames and the temples is different, the overall look is softer and more interesting. My favourite specs are black and white, but they are bright turquoise on the inside which softens the harsh contrast against my pale skin and soft features.
• Choose a color that complements your skin tone and eye colour: The operative word is “complement”, not “match”. Bright blue-eyed people shouldn’t wear bright blue specs. But wearing brown specs with blue detailing might be ideal. Do not confine your choice to neutral tones either. Eyewear does not have to match what you’re wearing, but rather go with everything because it compliments your face, not your clothes. You don’t change your face to match an outfit – it’s the same with eyewear. You can absolutely wear an orange or pink top if you wear red specs.
• Create the right amount of contrast: If the contrast between the colour of your skin tone and the frames is too strong, you’ll look severe. If it’s not strong enough you’ll look blah. This is not a hard and fast rule, but generally, choose a colour that is different to the colour of your hair and eyes. There are brown-eyed people with brown hair who get away with wearing brown specs, but this is not the norm.

Remember that specs can be adjusted to fit so don’t worry if they are a little too tight or too loose when you try them on. Also remember that you’re not bound to wearing one pair of specs all the time. I continually swap out three pairs and I’m on the hunt for a fourth.

My guidelines are from the perspective of someone who wears specs herself, but many of the people who appreciate your choice of frames won’t be in this category. Sally from Already Pretty will offer this equally important perspective in her blog entry today. It’s well worth a look.

Meet some of our fabulous forum members and their specs. Clockwise from the top left: Cathy, Ana, Kari, Maya, Kristen and Sandy. Their specs are perfectly interesting, ageless, current and above all very flattering. Take the time to look at the details on their eyewear and compare them to the guidelines above. Note how the subtle and overt details on the temples and frames themselves contribute greatly to an overall look. The devil is always in the detail! I went specs shopping with Cathy and Sandy, Ana and Maya received loads of forum guidance during their specs selection process, and Kari and Kristen did a great job on their own. See this thread for more examples of forum lasses sporting their stylish specs.

It’s not my style because I prefer a clean and crisp look. But I can appreciate the alternative vibe on the right person when worn with a flattering ensemble combination. It’s also reminds me a little of wearing a scarf muffler style.

So what’s the verdict? Can you appreciate the look, if not for yourself but on someone else?

I prefer layered necklaces that make one statement like the examples you see in the pictures above. These are actually all-in-one styles with multiple stands that give the effect of several layers. But there is unifying integrity to the look, which offers a cleaner and more streamlined effect.

The appearance of the layered necklaces below are a little different because it’s as if you’re actually wearing three separate pieces. I don’t fancy this as much but horses for courses, both looks can be worn in a stylish way.

You don’t need to purchase a readymade layered necklace to achieve the aesthetic. It can be created by combining standalone pieces that you already own. I can’t think of any hard and fast rules as to which styles of necklaces work best together. You can mix various metals, stones, shapes, styles and lengths. It’s a question of experimenting and making sure the piece is a flattering combination with your neckline and works well with the rest of your ensemble.

I have never been a regular sunglasses wearer and I can’t really tell you why. I owned a pair of Ray-Ban Aviators 20 years ago, which I loved but barely wore. Ten years ago, I spent a fortune on a pair of black prescription sunglasses, and they too have hardly seen the light of day. Crazy.

But I admire lasses and blokes in fabulous sunglasses. It’s a killer accessory and a practical one too. In the spirit of fashion’s revival of 80’s looks and trends, the classic resin Ray-Ban Wayfarer has regained popularity. This particular pair of shades has really tickled my fancy so I’ve ordered a white pair and I can’t wait to try them on. Hopefully, the fun and nostalgia associated with wearing Ray-Bans again will make me actually wear them.

Note to self: stop squinting Angie and wear your new sunnies.

Today’s Ray-Ban Wayfarers. The design was originally brought to market in 1952 and it was popular for almost two decades. They returned in the 80’s and early 90’s, and are back again today.

The straw fedora is particularly popular this season and I like it too. It’s edgier and more androgynous than the conventional floppy straw hat, which makes for a nice change. It looks sassy paired with just about any relaxed look, both in beach and city settings.

I don’t wear hats unless it’s bitterly cold and a necessity. And although I’ve seen gals with uber short crops pull off headgear with style, I like hats best on lasses with longer hair. It’s almost necessary for hair to peek through from underneath the hat to do the look justice. Either way, a hat is a fab idea if you’re looking for a fun and functional Summer accessory that won’t break the bank.

Beige toned straw fedoras are the obvious colour choice, but consider other shades too. Black, grey, cream and white make nice alternatives. Check out forum member Loulou who has her Summer hat look down.

Some accessories are closer to my heart than others. So here are my top five accessory categories, a list that has been constant for the last ten years:

1. Handbags
2. Chunky pearl necklaces
3. Scarves
4. Spectacles
5. Watches

I also love belts, barrettes and brooches but there was only room for five on my list. I used to love cocktail rings, but lost interest after finding the perfect pearl ring that became the only ring I want to wear other than my wedding band. I do not wear earrings or sunglasses and hardly wear bracelets (I do admire them on others though). Hair accessories and hats are fun, but my short crop does not do the look justice.

Over to you. Rank your favourite accessories one through five. I’m very interested to see the range of your responses.