Bags & Scarves

Accessories do the heavy lifting

A plain T-shirt and jeans become “an outfit” with the right bag and a scarf. Accessories are also size-free - they fit every body, every budget and every day, which makes them a joyful, low-pressure place to experiment.

Handbag basics

• Start with one everyday bag in a neutral you’ll wear with everything (black, tan, cream, grey or olive). A crossbody is the beginner’s best friend: hands-free, secure and suits casual and smart outfits alike.
• Proportion matters a little: a very tiny bag can look extra-tiny on a taller or broader frame, and a giant tote can swamp a petite one. Medium bags suit almost everyone, but if you love a mini bag, carry the mini bag.
• Strap length: the bag usually looks best sitting around your hip or waist. Long straps can be knotted or adjusted.
• What goes in it? A purse/wallet, keys, phone, lip balm, hand cream, tissues, a hair tie, a mini deodorant or a small pouch with plasters and pain relief. Little pouches inside keep things findable.

Scarf basics

• Neck scarves soften a neckline and add colour near your face. A scarf can also gently draw attention away from a throat or Adam’s apple if that’s something you’d like, or simply be a pretty pop of print.
• Easy ties to learn first: the simple drape (hang it round your neck, ends loose), the Parisian knot (fold an oblong scarf in half, wrap it round your neck, pull the ends through the loop), and the loose single knot for silk squares.
• Scarves are multi-taskers: tie one on your bag handle, use it as a headband or hair tie, wear it as a belt, or throw a big one over your shoulders as a wrap.