In the rag trade we talk about three large categories of wardrobe items: clothing, footwear and accessories. Accessories are items like handbags, scarves, belts, jewellery, watches, hats, gloves, and eyewear. Footwear has its own category and is not lumped together with accessories. 

Accessories can be extremely powerful because they complete a look, often taking it from fine to fabulous. Accessories add personality to your outfit, dress it up or down, incorporate a playful element, add glam, amplify polish, add layering interest, make a statement, or strike up a conversation with a stranger.

More importantly, the right accessory is extremely practical. Winter hats, scarves and gloves insulate. Sun hats prevent sunburn. Sunnies prevent glare. Watches tell the time and more. Belts keep your pants up, and eyewear helps you see.

By all means sport many accessories at once if you have a maximal style, because there are no rules about how many accessories you should sport in one outfit. Gone are the days when it was best to sport one huge accessory at a time and make a statement with it. Sport two, three or more if that’s your preference. More can be more.

If you have a minimal style, less is more. This means you’ll sport few accessories or none at all. Or you can mix it up sporting as many or as few accessories that tickle your fancy on a day.

The accessory styles of my clients run the gamut. Here’s a sampling:

• Client A is maximal and sports it all in one outfit. 
• Client B wears nothing but a wedding ring or Apple watch, and doesn’t even carry a bag.
• Client C wears simple outfits, and lets statement accessories do the talking.
• Client D sticks to a few jewellery pieces and wraps up when it’s cold.
• Client E changes their bag, earrings, necklace and belt daily.
• Client F sticks to one bag a season, but goes to town with her jewellery. 
• Client G makes a statement with scarves and belts.
• Client H wears statement eyewear and big earrings.
• Client I sticks to studs, rings, bracelets and contact lenses.
• Client J wears arm candy and toe rings in the warm months.
• Client K wears real jewellery only.

The accessories you choose are as personal as your style. You might feel like lots of accessories one day, month, season or year, and fewer the next. You might like bracelets one year, and brooches the next. There is no right or wrong accessory, as long as you’re happy with your look.

I adore accessories. I prefer accessories to footwear, and let them do the talking rather than the shoes I’m wearing. I wear accessories to add polish, dressiness, glam, shine, colour and interest to my outfits. Some accessories are extremely practical, and others an adorning necessity. Here’s my accessory strategy in order of importance. I wear #1 to #4 daily.

1. Eyewear

About seventeen years ago, I needed to wear prescription eyewear most of the time because I’m near-sighted. That’s when I decided that my specs would be the most important accessory of my style. I make a statement with them, and buy the very best that I can afford. Most of the time they’ve been non-neutral, and some style of cat’s-eye.

I wear sunnies regularly, but have few pairs because they need prescriptive lenses. Those have always been Modern Retro. At the moment, I have round tortoiseshell Ray-Bans, and a pearlized white vintage pair from 1960. Here’s my eyewear.

2. Handbags

I LOVE handbags. They are hands down my favourite accessory. I have 23, love them dearly, and swap them out daily. I prefer them dressy, structured, non-neutral, or white. Not too big, relatively classic, beautifully made, with minimal gold hardware, and with the option of a crossbody strap for travel. I have a large Italian family of Furlas. Here are my wardrobe pets.

3. White Pearls

I’m not a jewellery person, but what I have is very focussed, worn daily, real, and custom-made. Two chunky white pearl necklaces, two white pearl bracelets and and pearl wedding ring with gold metal. Occasionally I wear a very special gold and garnet vintage Yorkie brooch from 1961 that was an incredible gift from a client. I don’t wear earrings, although I have two holes in each ear.

4. Watch

I wear the same gold watch every day, and on the same wrist as my ring and bracelets. I would love to find another, but haven’t yet found a watch better than the one I have.

5. Scarves

I wear scarves to create colour complements with my bags and shoes, and to keep me warm. You have to wear a scarf in the Netherlands because of the nasty cold wind. In warm weather, I wear a gauzy linen or cotton scarf to keep the blazing hot sun off my neck.

6. Belts

I used to wear belts a lot more frequently with low and mid-rise jeans and pants. But now that 95% of my pants and jeans are high rise, I seldom wear belts. I’m keeping all of them in case I feel like wearing them again.

Finally, a smile is a great accessory. You can wear it daily, it always fits, and does not date. So are laughter lines, because they are evidence of smiles and laughter, which is good for the soul.

Over to you. What is your accessory strategy?

The long blazer takes me back to the ‘90s. I wore them then, but it’s not a look I crave today. I am cautious about this length of blazer because the proportions can look off to my eye, especially when you wear flat footwear like I do. I did, though, enjoy a long blazer dressy pants suit because it created an elongating column of colour. You couldn’t see where your leg line stopped because of the low contrast between the jacket and pants. I had a favourite apple green long blazer suit in 1994 that I regularly wore to work. Greg said I looked like a lime milkshake, which made me love that suit even more. I would wear a long blazer in that way today.

I have many clients across a range of body types in long blazers. It’s been more popular than I thought. Almost everyone who wears blazers regularly has refreshed with the trendy long silhouette. Here are four ways to create outfits with long blazers. Choose any colour palette across solids and patterns.

1. Smart Casual

This is the easiest look to pull together. Combine a pair of slim jeans or pants like skinnies or straights with a layering top and statement long blazer. Add shoes that work with the outfit. The pants or jeans can be cropped or full length. The top can be tucked or untucked.

2. Casually Thrown Together

Combine an A-line skirt with a long fluid blazer and layering top. I like how the tight top adds structure to the fluid blazer. Add booties and Bob’s your uncle. Keep the skirt straight if you want to create traditionally flattering proportions.

3. Classically Elegant

Combine a black top with cropped straight pants or jeans in any colour. Top it off with a long black blazer for a twinset effect up top. Add dressy shoes, and you’re in business. Good for corporate settings and dressier occasions.

4. Fashion-Forward Fun

This is by far my favourite of the four because it reminds me of the apple green suit I had in the ‘90s, with white accents and all. You need a non-neutral suit with a long blazer for this rendition, so maybe you’ll get one. I would if the right one came along. White top and footwear add a fashionable and crisp touch. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

V-necklines are prolific this season. They are all over tops, knitwear, dresses and jumpsuits. It’s high time fashion made a statement with them because they’ve been scarce at retail for years. I am THRILLED for those who enjoy wearing V-necks. They are visually fabulous on larger busts, shorter necks, shorter waists, broader shoulders and petites. No matter how often I see it, I’m regularly in awe at how magically a V-neckline can minimize the size of the bust and lengthen the neck.

The V-neckline trend might be great for you, but it’s not for me. I have the opposite of the body type that wears V-necks well: a regular bust, regular waist, narrow shoulders and a very long neck. My short hair makes my neck look even longer. The higher the neckline, the better it’s suited to my body type. I can wear a V-neckline when it’s a structured shirt collar with a few of the top buttons left open, because the collar adds coverage to my long neck and shoulder neck point, especially when I pop the collar.

As I’m refreshing my wardrobe for Spring and Summer, I’m rejecting all sorts of potentially fabulous on-trend tops and dresses because their V-necklines are deal-breakers (unless they are shirt collars). The V-neck trend is against me, so it’s on to plan B. Reverting back to classics.

I enjoy modern classics full stop. And many of their necklines work well with my body type. This season I’m back in classic silk and cotton blouses, body-con knit tops, and pullovers with polo collars — all of which I haven’t worn for ages as I favoured more trendy styles. I’m thoroughly enjoying my new classic tops because they’ve changed things up, and layer well under jackets in arctic air conditioning. The collection below shows the exact items I’ve bought to refresh my tops capsule with for Spring & Summer.

The fluid cotton and cashmere crew neck pullovers in the collection are classics I wear every season despite trends. These versions are shorter because that’s how fashion is at the moment. That trendy detail is fine because shorter tops work well with exposed high rises and skirts, both of which I wear and enjoy.

We’re hitting the height of the Spring & Summer retail season, and there’s a lot of great stuff in stores. Interesting dresses and skirts with length, V-necks galore, sneakers and sneaker hybrids galore, interesting jeans, fab body-con tops, more tailoring, and better fabrics than what we’ve seen in a while. Snap things up now if you’re a dressier gal, because in July and August retail is about tees and shorts. The industry forgets that some of us are NOT at the beach and pool all Summer.

On to the picks.

• Walking Cradles Walking CradlesOrleans: A breezy slip-on sneaker hybrid that's as pretty as it is sporty. Comes in an assortment of colours and metals. Bless them for coming in FOUR widths. I nabbed them in white in a narrow width and they are the FIRST slip-on- sneakers to EVER fit my low-volume feet! LOVE THEM. Absolutely perfect, lots of cushioning and very comfortable. I'm getting another pair. Read the rave reviews.
• Boden Isabella Broderie Back Top: A better than basic mixed media tee with an eyelet party at the back and on the sleeves. Works well on Team Tall or Team Long Torso. Gentle fluid fit. Not see-through, and lots of colours.
• Banana Republic Cotton-Blend Textured Stripe Sweater: If you like to wear crisp cotton knit pullovers in the chilly Spring and on a cool Summer's day, give these a whirl. Fun textured shadow stripe. A beautiful clean fit and tidy neckline. Tapered welt adds lots of structure. Not too long. Fab fluid fit, and awfully neat and tidy. I bought the white and coral, and have just duplicated the white because it's a wardrobe essential for my style. The tomato red is CORAL and not red. They machine wash and air dry beautifully. No creases.
• Ecco ECCOGillian Side Zip: Fabulous comfy and crisp slip-on sneakers that are orthotic-friendly. Works on higher volume feet. Works on lower volume feet with extra insoles. They look fashion-forward from the front because the vamp is extra long. Comes in three colours.
• FLY London Women's Piat Wedge Pump: Super cute ankle strap wedges that work best on a wider foot. Extremely comfortable.
• Boden Claudia Embroidered Blouse: It's awfully pretty and has a gorgeous lattern sleeve. It's quite warm, so not for those who run hot.
• Boden Gemma Jersey Top: It's knitted, not woven, and excellent on Team Tall & Broad Shoulders. Better than a basic tee, and fun with shorts, utility pants or jeans. More colour options on the Boden site. I've seen most of them, and all are fab.
• Boden Lorna Faux Wrap Jersey Dress: AMAZING dress on everyone who has tried it on in petite, regular and long. Flattering, polished, yet very casual and easy to launder.
• Boden Ayla Lace Trim Top: Super cute boho top that's KNITTED and runs a size big. Comes in colours on the Boden site and the white is not see-through. Better than a basic tee.
• White House Black Market Chiffon-Sleeve Floral Polished Knit Shift Dress: Super cute classic dress that can work on a straighter and curvier body type because the substantial fabric moulds to the body.
• White House Black Market Floral Full Midi Skirt: Big Skirt Fabness, and has a shell top to match to create a two-piece dress. The matching shell top is UN-TUCKED which lengthens a short waist, so don't think you can't wear this when you're short-waisted. Comes in petites. Runs a size big if you need a narrow fit.
• White House Black Market Polished Knit Stripe Maxi Dress: A structured and polished maxi dress that works on a range of body types because of the substantial fabric and magical diagonal lines. Length can be hacked to create a midi. Might run a size big.
• White House Black Market Floral Bodice Top: Very pretty shell top that can work with jeans or the matching skirt. Can be altered to create a good fit if it's slightly off. Size up if you need a more generous cut. Great reviews.
• Boden Kassidy Jersey Midi Dress: Fabulous dress on those who enjoy V-necks. Flattering, comfy, and easy to launder. Longs work great for Team Tall. Comes in bright red.
• Boden Amelie Jersey Dress: Most who wear a cap sleeve have loved this dress across a range of body types. It's just about flop-proof, and comes in longs if you need length.
• Boden Carey Top: A classic top in dressy fabric that works on those who like high necklines. Fluid fit. Fab layered under jackets or worn on its own. VERSATILE. Ten patterns and colours to choose from. Read the rave reviews.
• Boden Cropped Utility Jacket: A fun trendy chore jacket that's quite structured despite the boxy fit because of the cropped length. Excellent with skirts and dresses, and on petites. Comes in olive. Nice buttons.
• Boden Linen Pintuck Jersey Top: Best mint top I've seen all year. Fresh, pretty, flattering, and better than a basic tee.
• Boden Fiona Embroidered Top: This '70s top looks SO fresh and fun with jeans and shorts. It flew out of Nordies and was sold out fast. Fab fluid fit and very breezy. You have to be okay with the short sleeve and boxy cut.
• Boden Frill Jersey Tank: Best fluid tank top of the season, and the white is not see-through. NOT fitted. Comes in colours.
• KUT from the Kloth Catherine Boyfriend Cutoff Shorts: These shorts continue to work every season on an assortment of body types because they are comfy and flattering. Straighter figures size down.
• Sam Edelman Sam EdelmanKassie: Super cute espadrille-sneaker hybrids that work best on lower and regular volume feet. Leather and suede options are the most comfy.
• White House Black Market Snap-Front Cardigan: A classic blue-red cardigan to wear as a top over skirts or over sleeveless dresses. Works well with pink and orange.
• Eileen Fisher Notch Lapel Boxy Jacket: Best unstructured knit jacket of the season. GORGEOUS textured fabric. Comes in petites and runs a size big. My curvy 4ft 10 client tried it in a petite, and took my breath away. After we both squealed with joy, she decided she could not live without it.
• Eileen Fisher Jersey Midi Dress: T-shirt dresses can look sloppy and stretch out, but this one is substantial and quite polished. Comes in regular, and might run a size big.
• Eileen Fisher Grid Stretch Cotton & Tencel Blend Jacket: An architectural piece in a beautifully textured knit fabric with smashing side-entry pockets. Size down.
• Eileen Fisher V-Neck Jersey Tunic: Flattering and breezy tunic fabness. The tailored sleeves add ample structure to the draped silhouette.
• Eileen Fisher Wide Crop Yoked Pants: Easy '90s style pull-and-go knitted wide crops. Size down.
• SCOTCH & SODA Scotch & Soda Wrap Blouse | Nordstrom: The wrap-front blouse is an excellent shape for an apple-shaped body type with a larger bust and shorter neck. The tailored cuffs on this version add refinement and structure. The snap on the neckline keeps things modest. Fab on Team Tall. The citron is unique and it might run a little big. Comes in a black floral.
• Halogen Wrap Front Top: A wrap top with a good fit and in fun colours. Needs a cami. Good with skirts.
• Foxcroft Crinkle Gingham Stretch Cotton Blend Pants: A beautiful clean fit in fabulous fabric. A fun classic with a high longevity factor.
• Komarov Handkerchief Hem Cocktail Dress: This is a repeat style that has worked on every extra curvy client who tried it on. Classic streamlined elegance with lots of swoosh. My tall size US16 client took my breath away in it. Comes in regular across a selection of muted colours.
• Halogen Modal Jersey V-Neck Tee: Fabulous tee on a curvier figure. Flattering, but not tent-y. Comes in colours and the white is not see-through.
• Boden Imogen Jersey Dress: Amazing fit on an inverted triangle body type. Easy and casually elegant. Fab with sneaks.
• RACHEL RACHEL ROY Stripe Water Repellent Trench Coat: STUNNING statement stripe trench coat with a streamlined fit. Lovely fabric, and works on a range of body types.
• Stripe Tie-Waist Shirtdress: A great shirtdress for a curvier figure. Fab on petites. The tie looks good left as a tie and not a bow, which is less fussy. A cool toned blue.
• Ruched Sheath Dress: An easy jersey dress with magical diagonal lines. Works as well for a curvy figure as it does for a straighter one. Flattering.
• Banana Republic Linen-Blend V-Neck Sweater: A stubby and gauzy Summer sweater that is fabulous on petites in a petite size. Relaxed elegance with white bottoms or shorts.
• Banana Republic Cropped Denim Jacket: Super cute short denim jacket to wear over flared skirts and dresses. The light blue is pretty and Summery. Comfy with a dash of stretch.

Go to the collection page if you would like to see the images alongside my descriptions.