A very stylish German friend 10 years my senior wears an oversized white ceramic Chanel watch that I have admired the day it was gifted to her. She wears it every day instead of a wedding ring and it’s very much part of her signature style.

I never thought I could wear bulky watches, let alone white ones, because I have dainty wrists and pale skin. But then another friend of mine with equally dainty wrists got herself a funky white and titanium watch and it looked great. I was inspired and bought a more refined, less sporty version (alas, not the porcelain Chanel watch that I covet).

It’s my everyday watch and I love it. My retro silver watches are resting as I enjoy the crisp and modern elements of this new accessory. It makes my outfits feel extra Summery and matches my pearl necklaces. It’s like wearing an iPod on your wrist. Good arm candy.

I’m glad I saw past my preconceived ideas and gave the white-watch-look a chance. I thank my friends for the inspiration.

Storing necklaces in a jewelry box is not the best solution unless…

1. there are compartments big enough to hold each necklace separately and
2. the full contents of the box is visible at all times.

I’ve found jewelry box storage for necklaces to cause endless tangling and chaos. I forget what I have and refrain from wearing anything that requires straightening out. Ideally, necklaces would be hung tangle-free in an area where you can see them as you get dressed.

I have an inexpensive, convenient solution for my everyday fashion necklaces. I’ve hung a tie-rack horizontally on the wall of my walk-in wardrobe and each hook holds a few necklaces. A hook rack will also work and so will hanging necklaces on nails on the inside of your closet door. No untangling, effortless access, constant visibility and easy accessorizing. What a pleasure.

I much prefer the aesthetic of pretty jewelry boxes, but the messy inaccessibility of my necklaces drove me batty.  Seeing as I don’t wear earrings or bracelets, my jewelry box is home to my rings and nothing else.

A long scarf that’s “pulled through a loop” or tied in any other way so that the ends form a vertical line down the front of your body has a slimming effect. Worn this way, the scarf creates a long lean line that is surprisingly flattering. Remember to think of a scarf as an item that you can add to your ensemble on mild Autumn and Winter days without a coat. The scarf is often the first accessory to come out in Europe when it gets chilly (before a jacket or coat), so don’t feel that you have to save the item for freezing temperatures.

I love everything about scarves. They keep me warm and elongated, add colour to my outfit and complete the look. I keep my scarf pulled through a loop because that works best for my style (the blue scarf on the right), but here are more ways to tie a scarf in keeping with its vertical appeal.

Black opaques are all the rage this season, but sheer black hose can often look more flattering. There is something about the translucency of sheer hose (either in black or a colour) that is leg slimming and leg lengthening. I include sheer hose with self colored patterns (like spots or diamonds) in this category.

This is not to say that opaques, thicker ribbed tights, and patterned tights won’t look great when they complement an outfit. Sheer black hose was often a favourite choice with my clients this season, particularly for the additional coverage they offer in both everyday and party wear ensembles.

My point is that with all the exciting hose to choose from, we forget about simple sheer hose. And I definitely feel prettier in sheer black hose as opposed to thick tights. So don’t feel compelled to wear elaborate hose when the simple things in life are often best.

Semi-opaque tights are easy to find and most brands will do the trick. A fab pair of plain black opaque tights, on the other hand, are a little harder to find. Few brands seem to have the thickness and the perfectly matte look that I’m after. After much trial and error, I’ve narrowed it down to two options:

• Nordstrom Opaque Control Tops ($10)
• Spanx Tight-end Tights ($24)

I used to enjoy DKNY opaque tights, but this season they seem thinner than before. If you’re leg shy about wearing an above the knee skirt or dress, you’ll want opaque’s that are as substantial as a pair of skinny pants. And you’ll get even better coverage if you go up a size and wear a second pair.

Thick dark black opaque tights happen to be the trendy choice to pair with the new party dresses this season. It’s a theatrical look that’s not for everyone, but I fancy the idea of covering up and staying warm in a short party dress when it’s freezing outside.

Thick, silky, matte opaque’s paired perfectly with party dresses.

Shoe clips are an interesting way to give plain looking shoes a mini-makeover. Department stores don’t seem to stock this type of shoe jewelry anymore, but I have seen them at consignment stores and at online sites like Aliza Darik and Absolutely Audrey. At between $20 and $46 for a pair (plus the cost of shipping), shoe clips aren’t cheap. But it’s less than you would pay for a glitzy pair of shoes and you have the added advantage of switching them between different pairs of peds. They might be the perfect addition to your holiday ensemble or even a pretty Christmas present.

Closets that I review often have a few items of unflattering and shapeless pieces of knitwear lurking in amongst the cherries. While some boxy knitwear pieces are beyond redemption, others can be transformed with the addition of a waist-cinching belt. Even for the small minority of people that can make boxy knitwear work for them, the belt creates a different look with the same piece of knitwear, effectively increasing its ROI.

This quick and inexpensive style tip is not going to work with chunky knits, which fail to look streamlined no matter what you do to them. I have also found that the look doesn’t work with every body and seems to be more effective as you get closer to the hourglass shape (for fuller figures too). But nothing ventured nothing gained, so give it a try if you have the items or are prepared to invest in a belt. Freshening up a boring piece of knitwear in this way can work wonders for your style and your pocket.

Eileen Fisher is well known for her expensive and impeccably made boxy knitwear. Most of us need a belt like the one on the left to make it flattering.

Lugging around gigantic totes filled with everything but the kitchen sink will wreck your back, neck and shoulders. This concerned Oprah, who recently asked New York based chiropractor Isis M. Medina how to find a handbag that won’t hurt your back. Medina suggested we follow a set of healthy handbag guidelines when choosing our bag and I found seven of her ten points particularly interesting:

• Your weight and your fate: you shouldn’t tote more than 10% of your body weight. So, if you weigh 150 pounds, your handbag and it’s contents should weigh no more than 15 pounds.
• Getting a handle: long strapped shoulder bags are bad because they tug you to one side causing your shoulders to hunch. Short handled bags that aren’t too flimsy or narrow are a better choice.
• The test drive: make sure that you can use Medina’s three approved positions for a short-handled bag:
  • Over your shoulder and tucked under your arm
  • Over your forearm (or in the crook of your elbow)
  • Held in your hand
• Compact models: shape and dimensions matter less than how the bag meshes with your body. Your bag should find “that sweet spot” on your body and be comfortable to carry.
• No feed bags: structured bags are better than slouchy ones because they keep their contents stable, which in turn keeps you balanced and your back aligned.
• Easy access: rummaging around in a handbag causes your torso to twist and distort. It’s therefore important that the contents of your handbag are organized for simple and efficient retrieval.
• Low bulk components: bags that are soft, lightweight and mold to your body are best. In this way, your arm stays by your side comfortably without having to stick out unnaturally. Bags with heavy hardware or other chunky components therefore tend to be unhealthy choices.

Medina further suggested that buying an expensive handbag is not necessarily the solution. A modestly priced handbag can be healthy and chic. It’s also important to balance the load that your body is carrying equally on both sides.

I’m pleased to announce that my handbags (plus their contents) weigh well below 10% of my body weight. When did you last put your handbag on the scale?

I recently discovered this gadget and it really works. It’s called the strapper and it’s a handy little tool that converts a normal bra into a racer back. It’s perfect for the situation where necklines and armhole openings of tops and dresses are cut close to the neck. The strapper will even work with the odd halter top if the styles aren’t backless. For $6 you’ve saved yourself the expense of buying a strapless bra and the annoyance of having to constantly adjust falling bra straps . Hide the strap and reveal the shoulder bone with this nifty little accessory.

Choosing the correct transitional accessories for your ensemble as your wardrobe moves from Summer to Autumn is a quick and inexpensive route to go. Some ideas:

• Scarf: This was the most popular bridging item that I saw people wearing when we lived in France. I was amazed at how the scarf (worn in the same manner as in the picture below) was the first “clothing item” that you’d see adorning outfits as temperatures started to cool. While I would gravitate towards a cardigan or jacket, in Paris it’s all about wearing the scarf before you wear the cardigan or jacket. Add a beautiful bulky scarf to a fairly plain ensemble and look like a Parisian.
• Hat: Headgear is particularly popular in Europe and is often worn together with a scarf before the addition of a jacket. Sporting a scarf along with the hat is not a necessity – hats can make quite a statement on their own.
• Closed shoes: Storing your sandals and adding closed shoes to your outfits (like the new Oxford) is an easy change. However, adding hose to peep-toe shoes is also a trendy look and good for Autumn.
• Hose: Whether it’s hose or leggings, add them to existing skirts and dresses and change the mood of your outfit. Ribbed, patterned, coloured, opaque or sheer, they’ll all work depending on the level of drama that you want to create. It’s very fashionable to add black opaque tights and heels to a Summery dress at the moment.
• Handbag: Switch back to your “cold weather” bag if you chose to keep your handbag selection to a complement of 3. Structured bags are a good choice for Autumn because they denote a level of seriousness that somehow works with the turning of the season. Away with whimsical wicker and onto solemn fun.

I can’t stress enough how “accessories” make the outfit. They remain one of the most effective ways to accomplish a stylish appearance.

Scarfs and hats are ideal ways of adding the Autumn touch to an existing outfit.