Tommy Ton has always had a unique take on what makes an outfit stand out. As one of fashion’s earliest street style photographers, his subjects aren’t just following trends—they’re people with equal parts style and substance, expressing something deeper. That difference is what makes his photos so compelling. Sure, the clothes are always great, but his shots capture the true essence of the person wearing them. In a monthly series centered around a fashion theme, he’ll explore the outfits that caught his eye and explain why. Here’s Tommy’s Take.
Fashion experts have always stressed the importance of investing in wardrobe basics: the perfect white shirt, a tailored suit, a little black dress, and so on. But once you’ve got those building blocks, the next question is: how do you keep your closet feeling fresh without getting stuck in the endless cycle of seasonal trends?
The answer is simple: focus on accessories. Small details—like a bag in an interesting color, a brooch with personal meaning, or a belt that makes you look twice—can instantly give your wardrobe more clarity and a new perspective. Clothes come and go, but a well-chosen collection of accessories can stay in rotation for much longer than a single season, especially if you invest wisely in the right pieces. After all, no one ever said you can have too many accessories.
Featured in this article:
– The Red Knit: Suzie Kondi Kadria cardigan – $775 (Suzie Kondi)
– The Silver Cuff: Agmes Jean cuff – $1,550 (Shopbop)
– The Wallet-as-Belt: Savette Symmetry wallet – $690 (Savette)
– The Printed Scarf: Celine printed silk scarf – $590 (Mr. Porter)
– The Statement Shades: Celine Eyewear aviator-style acetate sunglasses – $560 (Net-a-Porter)
If there’s one brand that has sparked a renewed interest in accessories, it’s definitely Celine under Michael Rider. From the very first look of his debut collection, what caught your eye was that wrist full of charm bracelets, the hand stacked with rings, and the oversized gold medallion belt buckle peeking out from under a blazer. It was a sign that all those endless discussions about quiet luxury were finally coming to an end.
It was also a clever merchandising move, because you couldn’t help but be drawn to all those beautiful accessories that perfectly accented each look. It was like a fashion lover’s version of walking into a candy store. Whether it was a silk scarf casually tied around a model’s jacket or half-tucked under a lapel, it made you want to copy the styling and add it to your wardrobe right away. You could tell this collection was going to influence high fashion before trickling down to the masses—the true sign of an impactful collection is when its influence shows up on fashion insiders the following season.
Fast forward nine months to Paris Fashion Week, outside a show at the Petit Palais, and all those chic styling cues from the Celine runway had made their way to the street in an unexpected masterclass in accessorizing. Caught in conversation, it was quite a sight to see how three fashion professionals—Sarah Park, Ramya Giangola, and Lisa Aiken—unintentionally complemented each other and captured the mood of the moment.
Everything that felt timeless yet modern was there: glimpses of bold primary colors, subtle accents of gold and silver hardware, small leather wallets and pouchettes, and classic black frames. It was very much in the French way of dressing, where the individual details of each look made you curious and encouraged you to rethink what you already own. After closely scanning each look from head to toe, it became clear that each of these women had adopted elements of Celine’s preppy bourgeois aesthetic. But it wasn’t a head-to-toe runway look that made their outfits stand out. Instead, it was the fact that each woman carefully borrowed styling cues from Celine and made them her own.Her style was unmistakably her own. You could easily see the fun and joy in the way she dressed.
When you’re rethinking your wardrobe each season, the key is to look for pieces that work from day to night and can be thrown together easily without much effort. Practicality is important, but it’s also about letting yourself step a little outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s choosing the right jewelry or adding some color, you don’t want to feel intimidated by your accessories or unsure when to wear them. You want these timeless pieces to feel like lifelong friends that come out to play when the moment is right. They’re what really bring an outfit together.
A Touch of Red
Taking inspiration from the Celine Spring 26 runway, Lisa Aiken casually drapes a bold printed Celine silk scarf off her shoulder in a way that feels modern and chic. The flashes of red from her Khaite clutch and scarf perfectly balance the gold accents.
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– Celine silk square, $590
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– Khaite Blake clutch, $3,200
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– Ray-Ban 54mm Wayfarer sunglasses, $191
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– Lié Studio The Betty necklace, $480
Something Old, Something New, Something Blue
Ramya Giangola effortlessly mixes old Celine by Phoebe Philo with new Celine by Michael Rider in her own unique way that checks all the boxes. From the large gold medallion belt to the silk scarf tied with small leather pouches, they instantly give her vintage Celine skirt from spring 2010 a playful update.
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– Celine small crystal pouch, $2,100
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– Celine Eyewear aviator-style acetate sunglasses, $560
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– Celine Maison Celine belt, $1,200
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– Celine printed silk scarf, $590
Double Trouble
Sarah Park’s monochromatic layers of red knits are a classic nod to the American Parisian preppy trend, but with a more refined, elevated twist. She perfectly pairs the right amount of costume jewelry, finished with her signature belted duo of mini wallets from The Row.
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– Toteme Drop onyx necklace, $590
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– Savette Symmetry wallet, $690
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– Agmes Jean cuff, $1,550
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– Suzie Kondi Kadria cardigan, $775
Shop more joyful summer finds:
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– Toteme printed silk-twill scarf, $420
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– Bottega Veneta Sea Coral hoop earrings, $1,300
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– Le Sundial Venice Opera stone earrings, $895
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– Jil Sander Tangle net bag, $1,490
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– Tory Burch embellished T-shirt, $350
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– Proenza Schouler Uma hardware sandals, $790
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– Savette Macrame pouch, $1,290
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– Déhanche Mako raffia belt, $350
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Tommys thoughts on accessorizing written in a natural conversational tone
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What does Tommy even mean by accessorizing
Tommy sees it as adding any extra item to your outfit that isnt just clothinglike hats jewelry bags belts or scarves Its the final touch that makes the outfit feel complete
2 Why does Tommy think accessorizing is so much fun
He says its like playing dressup for adults You can change the whole vibe of a plain tshirt and jeans just by swapping out a watch or adding a beanie Its a lowrisk way to be creative every day
3 Does Tommy think you need expensive accessories to have fun
Not at all Tommy loves thrift store finds and simple cheap pieces He believes the fun comes from mixing textures and colors not from the price tag
4 Whats the easiest way to start accessorizing if Im a total beginner
Tommy recommends starting with a single statement piecelike a bold watch a colorful scarf or a pair of fun socks Just one item can make you feel like youre wearing a new outfit
Advanced Practical Questions
5 How does Tommy avoid looking overaccessorized
He follows a simple rule Pick one focal point If you wear a loud necklace keep the earrings small If you have a patterned belt skip the busy bracelet Balance is the key to looking puttogether not cluttered
6 Whats Tommys secret for making accessories work with a casual everyday look
He layers textures A leather watch strap with a cotton tshirt or a metal chain with a denim jacket He says the contrast between rough and smooth materials is what makes a simple outfit look intentional
7 Does Tommy have a goto accessory for bad hair days
Yesa baseball cap or a bandana He says it instantly turns a I woke up late look into a cool sporty vibe Its his number one fun and functional hack
8 How does Tommy feel about matching accessories
He thinks strict matching is boring Instead he prefers coordinating