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.

Gone are the days of non-leather shoes and handbags being unstylish, unfashionable and uncomfortable. In fact, these days some of my favorite shoes and bags are plastic. With sites like Ragazzi Vegan, Vegan Unlimited, Vegetarian Shoes and Bags and Luna Boston, there are options to suit all fashion personas. Non-leather items have the added advantage of being cheaper and more lightweight. Large leather handbags in particular can weigh you down, which makes the vegan choice super practical. It’s fabulous that animal friendly can be fashion forward and trendy. 

Wonderful shoes and bags from various online vegan sites. Luna Boston is a dash more pricey, but certainly a cut above the rest.

It’s hard to give strict guidelines for selecting the sunglasses that will work best for you. With variables such as face outline, eyebrows, cheekbones, eye-width, complexion, age and fashion persona to consider, I find it impossible to generalize. But I do feel that there are three key factors to consider when making your decision:

• Proportions are important. Oversized sunglasses remain a huge fashion statement, but they look silly when they are too big for your face. Larger and taller women have the dimensions to pull off the oversized sunglasses look well because a balance is struck. The bigger you are, the bigger you can sport your accessories. So if you’re small boned and petite, watch how oversized you go with your sunglasses.
• Your eyebrows frame your face. In most cases it makes sense for your shades or specs to follow the same line as your eyebrows. I tend to prefer it when eyebrows are covered by sunglasses because this makes a cleaner statement.
• Contrast is striking. Pairing a round face with angular sunglasses (shades that have rims with sharp points) works really well. A similar contrast is created when pointy facial features are paired with rounder sunglasses. Striking differences are appealing and eye-catching and somehow I’m always drawn to them. The same way polka dots are superbly complimented by rectangular handbags.

While there are always exceptions to the rule, these factors may help to narrow down your choices from the extensive selection of available sunglasses.

Both models wear the oversized look well. I’m a sucker for classic retro black shades.

Oversized bags and totes are all the rage, but your body shouldn’t ache as a result. Fashion is for fun, not for pain. If you remember two simple things, you’ll sport a statement bag with style and comfort:

• Consider the weight of the bag itself. Large leather bags with loads of pocket and hardware detail can weigh a ton before you’ve even packed your essentials. Faux leather/patent, plastic, PVC, nylon, and canvas fabrications make for lighter and cheaper options. If you are going to go leather, keep design features simple as this tends to shed excess weight off any bulky bag. 
• Don’t pack the kitchen sink. Be ruthless with what you need daily and try and find ways to downsize everything. If the interior of your handbag is a mess, empty its contents and re-pack.

Don’t damage your posture and wreck your outfit by lugging around a heavy handbag. A roomy, light and uncluttered version is a more practical and healthy solution.

A large PVC tote and simple leather bags with no hardware or outside pocket detail.

Colourful plastic or patent watches are in line with this seasons’ bright accessory trend. Fun and functional, sporty watches are great items for making a statement in a casual way. Price ranges vary from $49 to $400 depending on the brand. They’re ideal for Summer when forearms are bare and colours are cheerful. And don’t think that you need to match the colour of your watch to your outfit. You don’t. Like a pair of specs or sunglasses, watches are a statement piece all on their own.

Some favourites, ranging from sophisticated (Marc Jacobs, top left) to athletic (Adidas, bottom right).

This exotic skin (real or faux) has slithered onto just about everything. Snakeskin bags, shoes, belts, headbands, wallets, bangles and watch straps are trending big time. Items such as these are a modern or retro classic and make my forever fashionable list. My favourite aspects of this trend are that it is season-less and makes a statement. Add a snakeskin accessory to a plain ensemble and you’ve kicked it up a notch. In both neutral and colourful tones, it is sure to give your outfit bite.

Snakeskin accessories from Kenneth Cole and Lydell NYC (available at Nordstrom).

There is no such thing as “one-bag-fits-all”. A heavy black satchel looks wrong with flirty summer attire;  while a whimsical straw tote is odd with a heavy winter coat. If bags aren’t your thing, you can limit your handbag inventory down to a complement of three, one of which is the a Spring/Summer bag.

You have options when it comes to warm weather bags:

• Printed canvas – perfect for a summer vacation in any array of appealing patterns, shapes and cotton-rich fabrications.
• Bright colours – add a colourful dimension to your ensemble in either plain or patent.
• White – freshen up any Spring/Summer outfit with white accessories.
• Sporty stripe – a punchy, crisp and sophisticated alternative for the “neutral gals” among us.
• Straw – the beach-inspired style has a distinctive urban edge (but remember that some straw bags can be scratchy).
• Metallic – silver, bronze and gold bags remain a versatile choice. Sport them futuristically or in rustic woven weaves.

Sunshine and hot temperatures are about adding a fun element to your wardrobe. Consider a cheerful handbag to match the mood.

Printed canvas (Fossil), straw (Monsac), sporty stripe (DKNY).

Red patent and metallic (Kate Spade) and white Satchel (Kenneth Cole Reaction).

Chunky cuffs and bangles in resin, wood, Lucite, plastic or glistening metallics have made a comeback. It’s another ‘70’s and ‘80’s trend with a modern twist. I adore this accessory because it makes a simple statement: a single or superb set of bangles on a bare arm is all you need to finish your outfit off appropriately.

I personally find bulky bangles cumbersome and impractical to wear. I suppose I’m just more of watch and ring type of gal. But if cuffs and bangles are your choice, remember to keep them in proportion to your size. The fuller and taller you are, the larger you can sport your jewelry. Cuffs and bangles are fun and flirty with sleeveless dresses and a nice alternative to necklaces in Summer. Quite the eye-catching ornament.

An assortment of cuffs and bangles from Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.

Red started to trend for Autumn 2006. It wasn’t forecast as a major colour for Spring 2007, but it’s everywhere. Favorable reactions to the resurgence of the colour last season have kept the trend alive and kicking for a good while longer than expected.

There seem to be more red shoe and handbag options available than any other bright. This is nifty news because red is a basic colour. Alongside staples like black, white, cream, grey, brown and tan, there’s red. All colours can be matched with the right shade of red (it’s strangely glorious combined with pink and orange). If you prefer sticking to neutrals, remember that red also falls into this category. Sport maroon or paprika instead of fire engine red if the classic feels too bold. There is a shade of red for everyone, gents and children included.

Anything red (clothing or accessories) makes my “must have” list for Spring and Summer. Take advantage of the abundance of red product that’s on hand. It’s the perfect combination of timeless and “of the moment”.

Red bag (Nordstrom) and shoes (Zappos.com).