Clutch and Go

Even though Prada is in the news for making its stock market debut in Hong Kong and not London or Paris — proving Asia’s economic muscle — the continent does know a little about style. How else would a first-time Italian firm at the Hang Seng hope to raise three billion dollars almost immediately?

De La Fressange’s book is a diary of dos and don’ts of chichi dressing. We may have several bloggers and magazines waxing chic,the woman who was the longest standing muse for the house of Chanel can help. The worst fashion crime for her is wearing plastic bra straps. The second,overdoing the accessories. “For example,too much jewellery never looks good — unless you’re Indian and you live in Jaipur and you’re getting married on an elephant.”Ouch.

In our defense,we do love our baubles. But since this is less about our penchant for precious stones and more about our addiction to designer bags,please wait a moment.

Accessories may be fashion’s loudest shout,but it’s also important to know when to avoid them altogether. Most women will throw on a labelled bag and showy shoes but there is a small movement in fashion that’s moving away from designer gear. Anyone with a fat credit limit can buy the bling-bling,but only the truly fly can dress up without depending on a label.

One of the most stylish women I know wears fuss-free clothes in shades of brown,with an enviable collection of necklaces picked up from fashion boutiques to flea markets. She has worn one pair of shoes every day of the week,but her neck pieces are always trendy conversation-starters.

Another woman entrepreneur updates her wardrobe more often than you and I do our Facebook status. But she never wears make-up and I’ve never seen her in anything more snazzy than a pearl string.

The Guardian’s in-house wit Guy Browning once wrote that accessorising was a basic human need. “Accessories top the list of things dug up by archaeologists. They also find old bowls but no one’s interested in them. Interestingly,if we buried our dead with things for the afterlife,earrings and iPods would come out top,cereal bowls bottom.”

My advice for anyone interested: make sure you have on no more than one ‘statement piece’. If your dress is eye-popping,wear simple shoes. If you are in a white shirt or a basic black shift,play around with your footwear. Have on one piece of jewellery at a time,either big earrings or a neck piece or a cuff (the only exception should be your wedding day).

Wear a ponytail to look younger,not torn jeans. Better to glide in ballet shoes than waddle in high heels. A mobile phone is not a fashion accessory: keep it hidden at all times.

White lingerie belongs in the maternity section,wear a red bra under a white shirt with feigned insouciance. Buy things that may seem boring: black sweaters,buckled shoes and navy stripes. Less is truly more,but a little stardust for an evening out is de rigeur.

Fashions change,be on the ball. Try everything once,but don’t lose yourself. When ‘comfortable’ means ‘habit’,lose it. When it spells ‘confident’,go with it.

Effortless style sure is a lot of work.

namratanow@gmail.com