A scarf, a handbag and pair of booties that can be worn together is an easy way to pull together an outfit for Autumn. That’s why I call the combination a “complement”. Add the scarf-bag-bootie complement to the simplest of ensembles and it instantly adds flare, personality and pop to your look. 

I’ve created two complements around different colour palettes and dress codes. Adding in simple pieces that provide the backdrop to the complement is all that’s left to complete the outfit. 

Casual Black, White & Metallic SBB Complement

I’ve chosen a black and white patterned scarf, black studded crossbody bag, and — as a nod to this season’s Space Age trend — silver Dr. Martens boots. Wear this complement over a long sleeved t-shirt or scoop neck blouse with jeans or cropped pants. Wear it over a casual dress. Or a V-neck sweater and denim skirt. 

Dressy Earthtones SBB Complement

I’ve chosen a lace printed scarf in spice tones, an on-trend, small animal printed bag, and high heeled colour blocked booties. Wear this complement over a blouse and pencil skirt for the office. Wear it over a sheath dress. Wear it over a fitted or oversized sweater and tapered trousers. Or dress it down with a tee and jeans. 

Choose a scarf-bag-bootie complement that’s in line with your colour and style preferences. Choose solids, patterns or colour blocked items. Some complements will be dressy and others will be casual. 

The complement can also be thought of as a small capsule because the items work together, AND because they can be worn with different “backdrop” outfits. Pack a scarf-bag-bootie complement for short trips and merely change out the backdrop outfit each day. You’ll have an assortment of pulled together looks for your trip that will probably fit into a carry-on size bag.

If you like to wear three inch wedges, Vince Camuto’s Elmay Pump might be for you. It’s comfortable! The cushioning foot bed, soft leather and roomy toebox are a plus. It’s too high for me, but it’s been a winner with some of my clients and friends. It comes in black and animal print. The animal print is ideal for redheads, strawberry blondes and auburn haired ladies who like to create a bookended effect with their footwear. Runs true to size and could work for a wider foot.

I like the simplicity of the style and the non-chunky heel. For several fashion seasons, footwear has generally been overly chunky or extra delicate, making these in-between “refined chunky” or “substantially dainty” styles a scarcity. This is a good example of a hybrid. It’s a super little shoe to wear with skirts, dresses, trousers and jeans in Autumn.

Novelty knitwear is a broad knitwear category of infinite variety. In this post I’m talking about the sort that has an animal knitted into its front panel as seen in these photos. Hens, owls, dogs, cats, foxes and the like. This trend is fringe, but it has been embraced all the way from high end houses like Burberry Prorsum to mainstream brands like J. Crew and even budget retailers like Target. 

I don’t dislike the trend. The young models below look sweet, especially in the outfits with the mini skirts. Celebrity Kate Bosworth wore an owl sweater with dressier separates to the Burberry show earlier this year and I liked that outfit too. That said, I do think that this type of novelty knitwear has a very juvenile integrity and short fashion shelf life. 

I wore this type of knitwear when I was part of the Pony Club many years ago. I was a very horsey child and teen, and anything with a horse on it found its way into my wardrobe. But the pullover was not a fashion statement. I wore it when I went riding so it was essentially sports gear. Part of me still associates this look with the Pony Club, which is why I’m a very, very cautious yay vote on others, but a definite nay vote for me.

What are your thoughts on this type of novelty knitwear? Is it something that you would wear? Can it be worn in a sophisticated way, or will it always look juvenile?

You are on Team Scarf if you prefer scarves over necklaces and vice versa for Team Necklace. 

Ever since I started sporting my virtually jewelry-free style, I have been wearing scarves more often than necklaces. But I’m still hopelessly devoted to my assortment of pearl necklaces because pearls are part of my style soul. I don’t love them any less just because I don’t wear them as often as before. So I am sitting this one out on the bench with tea and lemon fairy cakes because the rules say I can’t bat for both teams. 

Over to you. Are you on Team Scarf or Team Necklace?