Fashion accessories: elevate your look!

Fashion accessories: elevate your look!

A tote bag overflowing with a thousand things, a pair of gold ballet pumps pulled on in a hurry, a wrist where the watch is anything but miniature: that's the plan. Put down the Slim, admit that the pocket-handkerchief mini bag spends all its time at home — and that it doesn't take much more to feel 'chic' from head to toe! So how do you accessorise with flair, without spending a fortune or loading yourself down with things you never look at? A tour of those little pieces we can't be without.

The large tote, our best everyday ally

At Gucci, the 'Positano' tote, as flashy as you like, worn with an eccentric Slim and a pair of gold ballet pumps: nothing simpler, and nothing more effective! Its strength? A respectable size that swallows all those little things a woman never parts with and that stubbornly refuse to fit into pocket-handkerchief mini bags. True, no one turns their nose up at a cute little bag — let's just say it stays at home while the big tote does the work.

Because a fashion accessory, before it's pretty on the shelf, has to get through the day. A generous size, a shoulder that accepts being carried, enough room for phone, sunglasses, notebook and the rest: admit that's already a lot for one bag. And in the evening, you'll probably only need a small one — which? Over to you.

One thing is certain: the bag is the piece people see before anything else — it sets the tone of the outfit before you've even said a word.

Wedges and ballet pumps: the shoes that change everything

Since we're at Gucci, let's take the chance to get our hands on the delicious 'Sunset' wedges, ankle straps and the house monogram. Wear them with simple jeans, shorts or a mini: it doesn't matter, you're already onto a winner! The look of a heel, the stability of a flat sole — the kind of compromise you appreciate on a Sunday afternoon, or an evening when you know you'll be walking a lot.

Careful, though: platform height and how the strap sits can really change comfort depending on your ankle. Some silhouettes, the finer ones, will prefer a stiletto that lengthens the leg where a wedge can weigh it down from the knee. Decide in front of the living-room mirror, not on the label!

Add nude ballet pumps for the week — they go with everything — and you cover just about every occasion in the calendar.

The 'Speedy 30' bag and its shower of colour

Louis Vuitton, for its part, brings sunshine back into our lives with its 'Speedy 30' bag, whose design — the house's multicoloured monograms on a white background — is signed by Takashi Murakami. A bag that isn't afraid of colour, and simply asks you not to dull it down next to: carmine lipstick, sleek bun, stilettos, skinny jeans. The result: you won't go unnoticed! One small reservation: with such a white background, it isn't the companion for old raw denim or brand-new jeans that will bleed at the corner of a pocket — just a little common sense in the wardrobe.

And since the silhouette likes a monochrome lower half, you can go wild on top and let the bag carry the rest. Visually balanced: the only colour flourishes in an otherwise plain look are the easiest to wear.

A men's watch on a woman's wrist

A men's watch on a woman's wrist: the trend is here, and it only needs to be adopted! Wear it with your smartest clothes; the gender contrast does the rest. Here, the silver watch set with rhinestones imagined by Guess: long since cult — chic and shocking at once. The strap sits above the wrist bone, never lying on the hand: that little detail keeps the watch in place and gives the impression of a long, slender arm.

Another option: unisex and more understated, with charm bracelets that jangle around it. Wear without moderation, except for those who can't bear steel on the skin — then it's better to know before spending a big budget.

The 'Carrie' court shoes and diamanté sunglasses

For evenings, the high 'Carrie' court shoes from Guess, black leather and clean styling, go with everything — except perhaps your towelling tracksuit — and for any occasion. Trust us, they'll make an impression! The smooth leather and unfussy cut make them a piece you keep, rather than a flash in the pan with a heel. Budget-wise, they're reasonable: impeccable classics.

Chanel, meanwhile, takes things in hand: protecting our pretty eyes from UV rays while raising our fashionista potential — hats off! Yet make way for sunglasses with a shower of rhinestones on the top, not on the cheekbone, and a slightly undone pale complexion: it's the sun-eye rule that makes you stand out, not cosmetic glamour.

Charms, costume jewellery and a big bohemian bag

At Agatha, we fall for the adorable charm bracelets: Paris, the Tropics or little ducks — each to her own bracelet, each to her own charms! The charm of a piece that tells a story rather than a solitaire you wear once: two or three charms are enough to create the effect, and it's a fashion accessory just like any other, let's admit.

Bohemian chic, hair in the wind? Wear the 'Bohème' bag from Sequoia with a pair of boots, an armful of costume bracelets, and don't forget the hoops — because we're peace, love... too, and it's pretty! For a country wedding or a lunch under the trees, this large canvas bag will do better than overly structured styles. One warning, though: with an impeccable trench coat and a very city look, the Bohème and its slightly naive print jar a little — and it's a pleasure to say so plainly.

Bohemian at the office? No thanks, unless it's Friday... and even then, we already go to great lengths to get Friday in jeans.

Don't be fooled: in fashion, we call 'accessory' what is not accessory at all! Who would dare dismiss shoes, jewellery and bags as insignificant? These accessories, we love them — and as proof: never a night out without nail polish matching the lipstick, not an outfit without a piece of jewellery that catches the first ray of light. Fashionistas and proud of it, we raise fashion accessories to the rank of essentials, while owning the slight frivolity of our own words — well, yes, of course!

Budget

Budget-wise, it's all a question of where you set the dial, and the good news is you can treat yourself without mortgaging a month's salary. For a large tote, expect around £130 to £390 in genuine leather; second-hand or vegetable-tanned leather often comes in under £130, for a piece that will patina and last for years. A pair of soft ballet pumps or wedges generally sits between £50 and £155, with real bargains at the end of the season. For a watch, £70 to £260 is enough for an entry-level unisex model; charm bracelets and hoops start around £18 to £70 depending on the metal. Sunglasses, finally, range from £35 to £170 — and it's worth checking the CE marking and UV protection rating; it doesn't cost any more. Prices vary according to material, finish, where you buy (jeweller, multi-brand boutique, charity shop) and the season: sales and second-hand remain our best allies.

Ultimately, an accessory is that little extra soul you slip into an outfit so you don't look like your neighbour on the same day. An oversized watch, an overflowing bag, a rhinestone at the corner of your cheek — and there's your look speaking for you. Over to you to choose your camp: a treasure box you take everywhere, or a miniature clutch that only comes out for evenings? Both have their merits, and that's exactly what's delicious about fashion.