There’s a whole world of accessories out there, and trying to keep track of what’s in style can feel a little daunting at times. Trends and microtrends come and go, and it’s easy to get lost in the moment and lose sight of the main flows. Microtrends can be a great source of inspiration, a way of checking what’s currently in style, and a way to stay relevant, but the best thing you can do is to build a good selection of staples for your wardrobe, and to simply use the trend streams as a way to complement them. 

That way, you stay timeless while helping your customers build a solid and personal wardrobe. But which accessories belong in your essentials collection? Our accessory guide covers some of the essential accessories in the women’s and men’s categories, but remember – it’s always nice to mix and match across categories!

Accessories for men

Shoes

A pair of stylish shoes can really “make” an outfit, especially for men. Any basic accessory collection starts with a good pair of dress shoes, a pair of boots and a decent pair of trainers.

• Dress shoes: The material is key here – preferably a good quality leather that lasts a long time. There are many different types of dress shoes, but a good all-round pair has a slightly glossy finish and is either brown or black.

• Boots: There are several varieties to choose from, but you can’t go wrong with a pair of classic Chelsea boots in a sturdy material – they suit most people. Here too, brown or black make the best colours for versatile styling.

• Trainers: Trainers are a category in their own right, with a steady stream of new styles and models constantly being added. The right style is purely down to personal taste. However, it’s always worth investing in a good pair of white trainers, then adding different styles, colours and details to your collection to suit your own personal look and taste.

The belt

When it comes to belts, think function before style. A belt should be a versatile and practical accessory that lasts a long time and easily serves several outfits. Quality is key here, ideally leather, or at least a decent imitation leather that will last for several years. An essential belt collection has two categories:

• Formal: A general rule of thumb for formal outfits is that the belt should have the same finish and colour as the shoes for a consistent look. You can’t go wrong with a brown or a black belt in an elegant, smooth finish.

• Everyday and versatile: When it comes to casual everyday belts, there is much more room for personal variety. Even so, it pays to go for brown and black shades for maximum versatility when it comes to styling, not to mention a quality material that lasts. A good tip here is to play with different finishes and textures in the belt to add an extra element to the outfit.

The neck:

Neck accessories are a great opportunity to bring a personal touch to any outfit. The choice of styles, colours and fabrics is almost endless, and a simple suit is quickly transformed with the help of a stylish tie, bow tie or neckerchief.

The simple, stylish tie: For more formal outfits and occasions, a classic, minimalist and monochrome tie is ideal. Focus on the quality and texture of the fabric, and pick shades that go with the rest of the outfit for a timeless and stylish finish.

Patterned statement ties: The choice of patterns is extensive and includes well-known patterns such as tartan, diagonal and horizontal stripes, polka dots, paisley, and even houndstooth. A patterned tie is traditionally best suited for a more casual look. A tie with thin, tight strips or dots suits the more formal and professional setting, especially in darker shades. Extravagant patterns, such as tartan or paisley are suitable for more festive occasions to give the outfit that “extra boost”.

Bow tie: The bow tie traditionally belongs to the tuxedo and serves as an accessory to the classic look. In recent years, however, the bow tie has grown in popularity, and now goes equally well with a shirt and blazer, giving the outfit a fun and personal touch.

Neckerchief: The neckerchief, ascot and cravat belong to a more traditional and historic category of tie. Like the tie, there are countless ways to tie the neckerchief. A smart neckerchief comes in silk or silk-like fabrics. They allow you to play with seasonal colours and interesting patterns and bring a touch of personality to the outfit.

Accessories for women

The bag

The bag is the perfect example of an accessory we have mainly for its practical function. Back in the day, the bag served to make up for the absence of spacious pockets. Today, the bag still serves an important purpose, although there’s no doubt that it has also become an incredibly important aesthetic part of an outfit. The choice of decorative features, colour variations, materials and shapes provide plenty of opportunities to make an outfit more personal. There are countless types of bags out there, but a good basic collection includes the following:

• The shopper: The shopper has enjoyed a major revival as part of the focus on climate and the environment, simply because it’s a stylish way to replace the plastic shopping bag. Now it comes in all manner of colours and prints, and preferably with a printed message on it. The main thing, however, is that it’s big, easy to fold together and convenient to take with you on the go. It also lends the outfit a casual, “down-to-earth” vibe and is a bag category in its own right.

• The tote: The shopper is often referred to as a tote bag, but should not be confused with a proper tote. A tote is a large and open everyday bag that will hold most essentials. Durable materials are key here, and the bags often come in leather variants and imitation leather to give them a versatile and stylish look.

• The shoulder bag: The shoulder bag is as practical as a tote, although usually slightly smaller in size. Plenty of space for all your essentials, a decent length, comfortable and durable material on the straps are the key features that make this the perfect everyday bag.

• The clutch: A small handheld and strapless bag with just enough room for your bare essentials. A colourful or more extravagant clutch is the absolute finishing touch to any party outfit.

• Baguette: Many associate this bag with the iconic Fendi bag in “Sex and the City”, which really popularised the style. A baguette is a small, long rectangular bag that can be easily styled for both everyday outfits and more festive occasions. A solid and sophisticated, smaller bag that lifts any outfit.

• The satchel: A small and timeless everyday bag that most people suit. These are often somewhat minimalist in style and the focus is usually on quality materials and the finer details.

Shoes

Your shoes are a core part of your essential accessories. The right shoes can completely change the look of a basic outfit. A complete shoe wardrobe should always contain the following: a pair of classic, high heels, a pair of leather boots (low or high heel), a pair of good trainers and some simple flats. This gives you styling options for all occasions and events.

• Classic high heels: A pair of stylish heels is the shoe version of the little black dress. With a comfy pair of heels, preferably black, you’ll always have a classic look for any festive or formal occasion – and even with a more casual outfit with jeans.

• Boots: A pair of low-heeled boots, preferably in leather or imitation leather, is a sure winner throughout the year and is perfect for both everyday and festive occasions.

• Trainers: Trainers have their own special category and following. Trainer fans devote much of their time to building their collections, and the type and style you choose is down to your personality. Always go with a basic pair of white trainers, then build your collection by adding different styles, colours and details that show off your personality.

• Flats: Loafers, ballerinas, mules, mary janes – good “flats” come in many varieties and are a classic and stylish accessory to both skirts and trousers.

Jewellery

When it comes to jewellery, the traditional choice has always been between gold or silver. In fact, mixing the two used to be considered a “faux pas”. Fortunately, the last few decades have turned this perception on its head. Combining both gold and silver details is an interesting way to express yourself, especially through jewellery.

The key jewellery categories are necklaces and earrings. The ring is also worth a mention, especially considering how rings have historically been and still are a symbol of status and belonging, or that they mark life’s big moments with engagement rings, wedding rings or a family rings. It is becoming increasingly common to wear rings as a decorative accessory, where the thicknesses, styles and materials are used to enhance a personal style.

With so many different lengths, styles and materials to choose from, the necklace is a great way to add a personal touch to any outfit . Some of the key styles are:

• The choker: The choker style is mostly associated with the grunge trends of the 90s and 2000s, but the jewellery style also comes in more delicate and elegant variants, and is a shorter necklace with a tight fit. A choker is a simple and elegant way to give an outfit an interesting element and to draw your eyes towards the decolleté and neck area.

• Pendants: Neck jewellery with a pendant is, as the name suggests, a necklace with a pendant in the middle. Whether it’s a small gemstone, a heart, or something more personal, the pendant is an opportunity to express individuality, while creating an eye-catcher to a greater or lesser extent, adding that little bit extra to the outfit.

• Chain: This variant works great for both everyday and smart occasions depending on the thickness of the jewellery, and it has a long tradition in several cultures.

• Pearl jewellery: The pearl necklace comes in everything from choker-length to really long variants, and is a great example of a classic style that can really lift an outfit, whether a casual everyday look or a more formal or festive outfit – in other words, a classic that fits into any jewellery collection.

Earrings are worn all over the world, and having multiple ear piercings has become popular in recent years, allowing you to wear different earrings along your ear.

• Studs: A simple stud, with or without a gemstone or motif goes with any outfit and is suitable for everyday wear – on its own or alongside others for those with several ear piercings.

• Pearls: Pearl earrings, both simple, short and long, are a timeless classic suitable for most jewellery collections and for various occasions.

• Hoops: Earrings, or hoops, are available in all thicknesses and sizes and are a versatile jewellery that suits most people. Smaller hoops in silver or gold make particularly good basic jewellery for everyday wear, festive occasions, worn as single earrings or combined with others.

• Dangle earrings: A longer earring can create an entirely new look and serve as an eye catcher, framing the face particularly if you have shorter hair or an updo. An ideal piece of jewellery for playing with statement looks based on personal style and current trends.

The bracelet is usually not worn alone, but with a matching or similar style of necklace. Some key variants include:

• Delicate classic: a simple, minimalist bracelet in the same style as the necklace will keep the look consistent.

• Charm: Personalised bracelets where the charms represent something personal are a sweet and fun way to express yourself. These were popular at the turn of the millennium, and have made a comeback recently as a fun and nostalgic accessory.

• Pearl bracelet: Just like the charm bracelet, the pearl bracelet brings a nostalgic vibe to the everyday outfit. There’s plenty of opportunity to play with different styles, from a bold combo of different pearls. to the classic and simple white pearls.