December 7, 2012 5:58 pm

Accessorise all areas

Compiled by Carola Long and Lucy Garside

Divine details to embellish loved ones – from head to toe


Limited-edition sunglasses, £450, by Valentino Old-school Riviera glamour with just the right amount of kitsch. www.valentino.com	Velvet ‘Boy’ bag, £1,580, by Chanel The classic quilted bag gets an opulent update in plush green velvet. The ultimate day-to-night accessory. www.chanel.com


Dice, £6,800, by Belmacz For high-rollers: rutilated smokey quartz, turquoise and 18-carat yellow gold dice. About 3cm2. www.belmacz.com	Animal umbrella, £495, by Burberry The lord of the manor look comes to town: enough to make you wish for rain. www.uk.burberry.com


Pen, from £49.95, by Fisher Space Pens Designed by Nasa for astronauts, this pen writes underwater, at zero gravity, upside down, at any angle and from 30F to 250F. Out of this world. www.selfridges.com	Bicycle bag, £73, by Brooks England For the chic cyclist, this compact saddle bag with an internal pocket replaces a bulky basket. www.brooksengland.com


Leather iPad case, £165, by Coach Sleek retro styling makes this protective sleeve perfect for work or weekends. www.uk.coach.com	Double currency wallet, £160, by Smythson The smart way for the jetsetter to avoid currency confusion. www.mrporter.com


Headphone ear muffs, £75, by UGG Exchange the woolly hat and headphones for cute sheepskin ear muffs with audio.www.mywardrobe.com	Leather boots, £139, by Nike Rugged outdoor styling combined with an air sole will put a spring in your step. www.coggles.com

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Next week: last-minute gifts

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IN Style

Design, set, match Azzedine Alaïa and Jean Nouvel
Clothes can remake John Galliano
Women’s sunglasses shades of great
Feast your eyes

Brian Atwood on how to choose the perfect accessory

For men I like umbrellas, with a decorative handle, say, because people never have a great umbrella. Or I like anything monogrammed such as an iPad case, and drinking glasses are very chic. Men are becoming more interested in accessories and experimenting with colour and texture, so it’s fun to give them scarves in bright colours – when everyone is in grey and black, colour looks good by your face. Hermès does a beautiful men’s scarf that looks like an ascot but also doubles as a tie, with fringed silk at the bottom. I bought one in New York in burgundy with navy in a geometric print and I’m obsessed with it. I’m also into cashmere felted Borsalino hats.

For women I love vintage jewellery and fur gloves, and a crocodile passport holder in a vibrant colour is good for someone who travels a lot. Nobody loves their passport cover so why not make it pretty? Look for things that get more beautiful with age.

A good way to gauge someone’s taste is to look at their home or their favourite places and whether they like colour. You shouldn’t give someone who wears black 24/7 a fuchsia neon passport holder. But my brand is all about statements so I think gifts should have a wow factor.

If you are giving a party shoe, a good one should make the wearer feel like the belle of the ball. Detail, colour and sparkle are good. A low heel can be as sexy as a high heel. It just has to work a little harder and to seduce the foot with the right proportions.

The author is the founder of accessories label Brian Atwood

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www.belmacz.com

www.brooksengland.com

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