Tommy Ton has always had a unique point of view on what makes an outfit sing. One of fashion’s earliest street style photographers, his subjects—individuals with style and substance in equal measure—aren’t following trends. They’re expressing something deeper, and that difference is what makes his shots so compelling. Sure, the clothes are always great, but his takes capture the true essence of the wearer. In monthly installments surrounding a fashion theme, he’ll explore the outfits that caught his eye and why. Here’s Tommy’s Take.
Fashion experts have always emphasized investing in a wardrobe of foundational essentials: the perfect white shirt, a tailored suit, a little black dress, and so on. But once you’ve found those building blocks, the next question becomes: how do you avoid getting caught up in the constant seasonal cycle of trends just to make your closet feel relevant again?
The answer is quite simple: focus on accessories. Small accents, whether it’s a bag in an interesting color, a brooch that has a deeper meaning, or a belt that invites a closer look, can instantly give your wardrobe more clarity and a fresh perspective. Clothes come and go, but a beautifully curated collection of accessories stays in rotation for longer than a single season when you invest wisely in the right pieces. After all, no one ever said you can have too many accessories.
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If there has been one brand that has sparked a renewed interest in accessorizing, it’s without a doubt Celine under Michael Rider. From the very first look of his debut collection, what immediately caught your eye was that wrist full of charm bracelets, the hand stacked with rings, and the oversized gold medallion belt buckle slightly peeking out from beneath a blazer. It was a sign that all those never-ending discussions about quiet luxury were finally going to be put to rest.
It was a clever exercise in merchandising as well, as you couldn’t help but be drawn to all those delicious accessories that perfectly accented each look. It was like a fashion enthusiast’s version of walking into a candy store. Whether it was a silk foulard effortlessly tied around a model’s jacket or half-tucked beneath a lapel, it made you want to replicate the styling and adopt it into your wardrobe immediately. You could sense that this collection was going to influence fashion at the highest level before trickling down to the masses; the true mark of an impactful collection is when its imprint can be seen on fashion insiders the following season.
