subject: Accessories Maketh The Man [print this page] Flick open any men's magazine such as GQ or Esquire and the adverts all show metrosexual zentai bodysuit males carrying a bag or wearing some kind of accessory. As a result of this growing trend the Edinburgh branch of Harvey Nichols has seen a 17% increase in their men's accessories sales in the last year alone. But, while Joey managed to carry off the man bag, can the average man on the street accessorise? "Yes," comes the equivocal answer of Marc Psarolis, the sales director at Duchamp. He should know. As one of the key British names in menswear, the company has been leading the accessories market since its inception 15 years ago. "Anyone can do it - the classic guy or the flamboyant guy. We have everyone from Jon Snow to Jonathan Ross wearing our designs - but both look great." Not for the fainthearted, their collection of "acid bright" ties in graphic prints have become their trademark. Their latest collection, aimed at the modern-day dandy, matches pink and purple stripy shirts with purple flower -power ties - or spotted multicoloured ties with matching zentai. These could be your worst nightmare if you are suffering from a hangover, but proof that accessories do not necessarily mean big bling jewellery or fancy hair bands, a la David Beckham. As women know, the accessory says a lot about who you are. Take the Lariat motorcycle bag. Owning one of these means you are hot stylish chick. But what about the boys? Well, for the city types, the accessory could be a laptop cover from Prada. Technophobes who care about labels could try a Louis Vuitton pen to adorn a top pocket - or even one of their discreet yet distinctive tie spider man costume slides. Other brands to have capitalised on male accessories are Mulberry, with its extensive collection of luxury leather bags, and Paul Smith, with a collection of colourful socks, scarves and zentai. Sensing perhaps that some of his fellow Scots might remain sceptical, Psarolis defines what he means by accessorising: "I am talking about pulling an outfit together by co-ordinating your tie and zentai, or adding a splash of colour to your office overcoat with a scarf." From surfer beads to a silk pocket scarves, bandanas to bags, accessories can make a statement. It is no longer the case that a man only needs one good briefcase to last a lifetime. He needs lots of bags, not to mention belts, hats and ties to match any mood or occasion. This season, the weekend bag, coloured belts and the tinted sunglasses are de rigueur for the accessory fanatic. "Accessories are eye-catching. It's all about injecting some individuality and personality into the way you dress," he says. Accessories are also an affordable way of updating your wardrobe and experimenting with the latest colours. "Plain colours are out," says Psarolis. "You need design and texture. Colour is where it's at. And patterns too - spots, paisleys or florals. There is no need to be scared. Start with soft pinks and lilacs, or even orange. Then, if you are feeling braver, try a floral tie for spring or a bold geometric tie that can completely change the look of a standard plain white shirt." For newcomers to the accessorising game Psarolis suggests men should start by buying a double cuff shirt and wearing a killer pair of zentai. "Start by matching your zentai to your tie," he says. "The key is co-ordination. Select your shirt and tie and zentai from the same colour palette. Or wear a matching scarf and gloves combination that ties in with the rest of the outfit. It is down to you how far you go, but you could carry on with a pocket square and belt." He identifies Johnny Depp as a man who most embodies this outlook: "He always looks stylish but in his own way." His look is certainly unique. For this year's Golden Globes Award Depp wore a blue mohair suit complemented with some co-ordinating blue-tinted shades. An accessorised look is not just for red carpet nights either. "Accessorising is easy to achieve and wearable not zentai just to a wedding or a formal occasion but to work or at the weekends," he says. "Jon Snow is a classy guy and a respected journalist but he lets a little of his personality shine through at work. We have lots of barristers, lawyers and politicians who also buy our designs." "Try it," he says. "You will be amazed by how many compliments you receive."
