Fashion, like nature, abhors a vacuum. After the it-bag came the it-shoe (or at least the “quite hard to walk in it” shoe) and now gutsy, Dynasty-style chokers have been touted as the instant way to update last year’s party outfit.

As if to confer even more importance on accessorising via the dingle-dangle route, jewellery is increasingly prefixed by the word “statement” — although it’s a moot point just how much of a statement anyone wishes to make given the current mood of knitting your own underwear. While fashion magazine advice that a new necklace is cheaper than buying that £2,000 coat from Chloe may seem rather unhelpful, it’s still worth remembering that jewellery is nearly always a good investment; even if the necklace in question costs £25.

Ideally, jewellery should be the focus of your outfit, especially if you’re opting for something bold. That’s not to suggest that you shouldn’t experiment with different-textured clothing or clashing, mismatched colours, but leave any shoes, bags, coats or dresses that have embellished trims at home.

This season is largely about the neck, but cuffs and big, blingy cocktail rings are still important. Some love the drama and reassuringly noisy clunk of oversized discs or stones, others find them irritating. Whatever you choose needs to move fluidly with the rest of your outfit and if jangling is going to be inappropriate in your environment, consider something finer. Don’t assume that fine strands are dull — layered together, in different lengths, weights/colours/styles (Carolina Bucci does excellent versions of these), the end effect can look pretty dramatic. For a minimal approach, wear against block colours and clothes that aren’t patterned so they don’t “fight” the jewellery.

Collar necklaces — those that sit low on the collar of a dress, almost like a tribal neckplate — are an excellent way of transforming a plain dress or top. Mimco deserves a special mention for these. Finally, for those who eschew jewellery on the grounds that they find it superfluous, then how about considering a dress watch from Bex Rox at Browns? Not exactly cheap at £380, but at least you’ll be able to tell the time (and glow in the dark).

Hair and make-up: Hester at Era Management using L’Oréal and Bobbi Brown. Model: Silvia Dimitrova at Premier

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