Fashion accessories to elevate your look

The Guess Seychelles Small Tote, with its beach-bag shape, works just as well in town as it does by the sea. Cute and hippy-chic, it teams with every colour, though plain shades are easiest given how busy the pattern is. Add one or two chunky simple bracelets to your wrist and a pair of drop earrings — large hoops or creoles — for a beautifully balanced look.

Let's be honest: style often comes down to the smallest things. A belt that redefines the waist, a bag that gives a very simple silhouette some character, and suddenly a whole look tips in the right direction. Good news for our wardrobes: they don't need a complete overhaul to feel different.

So what's really working right now? We've trawled the rails and the websites, and here's what deserves your attention.

A good bag changes how the whole silhouette reads. In truth, they come at every price, and past a certain amount you're often paying for the name stitched inside rather than the material. So look first at the fabric, the lining and how strong the seams are: that's what decides whether a piece lasts three months or three years.

Completely different in style, but still making its own little impression, is the small travel bag (apparently) by Un après-midi de chien. It works just as well in town as it does for carrying sport or travel kit. Cute and sporty at once, it's rather irresistible. What should you check before buying? The seams, the fastening and whether there's a laptop pocket. Those are the details that make a difference in use, not the colour of the strap.

The white leather Guess belt. Slightly forgotten for a while, white is back in force: trousers, bags, belts, dresses... you'll be spoilt for choice. Here, the white belt, on the wide side, with Guess's G as a buckle, is ideal with dark jeans and a pair of white flip-flops, or even a white handbag, for a polished, faultless style. Scared of white? Start with off-white, which shows marks less and is softer on pale skin tones. Verdict: yes, but on one condition — keep it pristine, because white leather marks quickly.

Wedges done just right with Gap. Here are the Pink Bikini, with a braided sole, bubblegum pink with beige straps and brown leather. Wear them with jeans, a skirt, shorts... they'll be the girly touch above all.

A coin purse just like Grandma's. In white, to bring it right back into fashion, with two big ball clasps to intensify that old-fashioned feel — isn't it adorable? By Mango, the Dolly C coin purse. Real leather remains unbeatable: it's hard-wearing and ages into a lovely patina. Polyurethane, by contrast, peels faster, especially at the corners and handles. And for coins, the rigid coin purse with a ball clasp is enjoying a revival: cute, compact and handy in a small bag.

And for anyone who can't quite face the price of a Chloé bag, here's a lovely vintage-style bag in aged leather with a big padlock: there's a definite family resemblance to the small Chloé, isn't there? This one is by Mango, at a much gentler price.

Mmm, the little Gucci mules: gold, those famous Gucci motifs and a small heel, for playing princess. Although, we admit, these shoes alone might swallow part of your holiday budget...

Hermès twillys. Silk ribbons to tie as a belt around jeans or white mini shorts, or as a headband. They're soft, colourful, elegant, and add that extra ultra-chic touch. Here, the water-lilies and flowers twilly.

Your Minelli vintage-style sandals, in watery blue-green, mocha or chocolate, take your pick, with a large flower on the toe. They'll work with jeans, a skirt or light trousers, for a look that's both simple and refined. For long days, a flat braided or ridged sole remains the best ally, with jeans, a midi skirt or flowing trousers.

With accessories, it's simply about choosing ones that work with your outfit, your eyes or your skin tone, and you're done: a bracelet that looks sad on a display stand can be perfect on your wrist. Accessories don't dress you; they add the finishing touch, no more. So the only rule is not to overdo it, not to try too hard, so you don't end up looking like a walking charm bracelet or a Christmas tree. Treat yourself, but keep it balanced.

In fashion, accessories make all the difference: a handbag in the style of your outfit, court shoes that echo your top, or a well-chosen watch, and you're done. Your outfit is faultless, a sign of good taste and elegance — it's the detail that doesn't go unnoticed.

Budget

A well-made leather bag is most often between £70 and £220, a coin purse between £15 and £35, and a leather belt between £20 and £55. For sandals and braided wedges, expect to pay from around £35, while designer pieces — mules, twillys — quickly climb beyond £180. Price depends above all on the material, real or synthetic leather, and the finish; to spend less, watch for end-of-season sales, outlet stores and second-hand shops.