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.

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.

Fast-forward nine months later to Paris Fashion Week, outside a show at the Petit Palais, and all those chic gestural styling cues from the Celine runway had made their way to the street in an unexpected masterclass in styling. Caught in conversation, it was quite a sight to see how three fashion professionals (Sarah Park, Ramya Giangola, and Lisa Aiken) unintentionally complemented one another and somehow 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 nuances of each look made you curious and encouraged you to reconsider 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 the Celine preppy bourgeois aesthetic. Yet it wasn’t a head-to-toe runway look that made their outfits stand out. Rather, it was the fact that each woman carefully borrowed styling cues from Celine and made them distinctly her own. You could easily sense the playfulness and joy in the way they got dressed.

What’s crucial when reevaluating your wardrobe each season is looking for pieces that offer day-to-night versatility and can be effortlessly thrown together without too much thought. Practicality matters, but it’s also about allowing yourself to step slightly outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s buying the right jewelry or embracing color, you don’t want to feel intimidated by your accessories or uncertain about when it’s appropriate to wear them. You want these timeless investment pieces to feel like lifelong treasured friends that come out to play when the occasion is right. They are ultimately what truly bring an outfit together.

A Touch of Red

With a nod to the Celine Spring 26 runway, Lisa Aiken nonchalantly drapes a bold printed Celine silk foulard off her shoulder in a way that feels modern and chic. The flashes of rouge red from her Khaite pouchette and scarf perfectly balance the gold accents.

Something Old, Something New, Something Blue

Ramya Giangola effortlessly remixes old Celine by Phoebe Philo with new Celine by Michael Rider in her own unique way that ticks all the boxes. From the large gold medallion belt to the silk foulard tied with small leather pouchettes, they instantly give her vintage Celine skirt from spring 2010 a playful update.

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 take as she perfectly pairs the right amount of costume jewelry completed by her signature belted duo of mini wallets from The Row.

Shop more joyful summer finds: