Boden |

I love accessories. In my opinion they are every bit as important as the outfits they adorn – maybe even more so.

I have two particularly stylish friends who treat their clothes as a uniform – simple lines and all in one quiet colour. The clothes are not the main event: they are just the backdrop for their accessories. After years of joint shopping trips, they both have huge collections of scarves, bracelets, flat shoes and bags, and by using their knowledge of colour theory to compose carefully co-ordinated suites of accessories, they are two of the best-dressed people I know. A grey base layer is brought to life with a splash of burnt orange; a dull claret silhouette is rendered sharp by a dash of mustard.

Dressing is like cooking: accessories are the seasoning, the aroma of spice or the bite of chilli that elevates a dish and makes it memorable. Not too much, mind you, or they will overwhelm. One item too many and instead of making a startling impact you can look like you’re trying too hard. A subtle sprinkling is the goal: follow Coco Chanel’s advice and always take off one piece of jewellery before leaving the house.

But accessories are only one of the ways you can deploy the design principle of ACCENT.

Accent is a small amount of contrasting decoration used to create drama in an overall scheme. The contrast can be of texture, tone, or colour. Presenting two well-chosen elements in opposition enhances the beauty of both.

Please allow Victoria Beckham to demonstrate:

The silky silver dress and tonally-matching make-up provides a neutral backdrop for the striking ring: the bold, statement ring makes the dress appear more elegantly restrained. Each accentuates the best qualities of the other, and the different light-reflecting qualities of the materials (faceted and smooth) create a powerful contrast. Add more detail here and the effect would be lost.

Accent creates drama.

Outfit

This monochromatic outfit of black with a simple white T-shirt is smart but unspectacular until the splashes of acid yellow are added, creating a contrast in both colour and tone. And by involving the design principle of repetition, the effect is reinforced. Either the necklace or backpack on its own would be striking, but in combination the outfit says: this isn’t an accident! The result is a confident and striking statement.

Bomber jacket by ASOS, T-shirt by ASOS, turn-up trousers by Boden, shoes by Whistles, necklace by Cos, and rucksack by Brooks

To mis-quote Dean Martin, the weather outside is frightful, but in my head it’s quite delightful.

I am in deepest Denial-shire and looking forward to warmer weather, longer days, and some spring additions to my wardrobe that will be available soon. In my deluded state I have found these three reasons to be cheerful:

A gingham trend for spring and summer 2015. I’ve always loved checks, as long as the look ends up more Hepburn/Kelly than Baby Jane.
Flats, slides and sneakers are still cool. Because they are COMFORTABLE.
Whistles are making a small version of their big hit ‘Verity’ backpack. A happy combination of practical and beautiful in one very useful bag!

With this in mind, I’m hatching plans for weekend sightseeing in European capitals – Paris and Rome, please! – and have already assembled an outfit that is adaptable, chic, and fashionable.

Black/white is a trend for the spring too, so this Hobbs Twitchill dress (super comfortable and just below the knee) is a double winner. Last summer I hankered after bright fluorescent trainers, but this year these New Balance gingham & mint 996 shoes are perfect. Boden’s cropped cashmere is a wardrobe staple. And to carry around my Euros, guidebooks, sunglasses, and perhaps a change of shoes for the evening – the Whistles backpack.