Style Secrets

Handbags, like shoes, are one of those accessories that some women just love to collect. "I know women with whole rooms dedicated to handbags," Lopez says. By varying their bags, she says, they can add "a funky edge" to even a simple black dress.

Perfume

Ask Marie-Christine Elden of La Femme Perfumery in Naples to name a classic scent that never goes out of style and she's hard-pressed to stop at just a few. But ask her what's new and exciting, and one name comes to her lips: Roberto Cavalli. "It's hip, on the edge. The bottle is gorgeous, tall and slim with a serpent wrapped around it," she says. But what about the scent? "When it's first put on, it's like a floral, but all of a sudden it dissipates and then you get a little spice," she says.

That's a clue to the best way to tell if a perfume is right for you: Wait 10 to 15 minutes for the scent to settle before you decide whether to buy.

Elden's excitement says a lot about the state of the perfume industry. It doesn't fly with the fashions from season to season. Her old standbys have been around for decades: Chanel No. 5 and Shalimar have been enticing men and women since the 1920s, and Bal à Versailles since 1962. "Chanel No. 5 is still in style-more than ever," she says. "A lot of young ladies want to wear it." And Shalimar? "I don't think it will ever die." In fact, the house of Guerlain is introducing Shalimar Light, a citrusy daytime version of the traditionally floral evening scent. Although perfumes react differently depending upon individual body chemistry, those citrusy scents and floral notes are a natural for Southwest Florida's lush environment. The high humidity here means that women should consider layering: Apply bath or body lotion before perfume so the scent has something to grab onto and lasts longer, Elden suggests. Otherwise, it gets absorbed in the skin and evaporates quickly.

To help keep perfumes from spoiling, she suggests storing them in the refrigerator-especially if you leave them behind when you head back up North. That way, they can last two to three years.

Watches

Diamonds are a watch-wearer's best friend these days. The precious gems are dominating dials, bezels and bracelets, according to Kathy Bigham of Bigham Jewelers in Naples. "We've sold more this year than ever," she says. Also new this season is the concept of changing bands to match a lady's outfit. David Yurman is showing removable straps in hues such as red, blue and black so a woman can wear the same timepiece with a variety of ensembles. Watches are bigger these days, too, blurring the line between feminine and masculine styles, Bigham says. "Some look like men's watches," she says.

For either gender, Rolex is timeless. They haven't changed much over the years and remain popular for sporty and dressy occasions. Particularly hot right now is the men's 50th anniversary model of the Submariner, with an emerald-green bezel, that sells for about $4,900. "It's very sought-after," Bigham says. Entry-level Rolexes run from $2,000 for women to $3,000 for men.

What determines the quality of a watch? The movement inside. Most Rolexes, for example, are made with Oyster Perpetual, a securely sealed, continuous motion works that never needs winding. Such pieces are always a good investment, Bigham says, since they come with heirloom appeal: They can and should be passed on from one generation to the next.

Swimwear

The back is back in women's swimwear. Designers and shoppers are paying more attention to what's going on behind the wearer. Straps are crisscrossing in back and coming to-gether in a Y, so it almost looks like a regular tank top rather than a swimsuit, says Coni Sutter, owner of The Beach House of Naples, who has been in the business for 27 years. Her best tips for shoppers: Get the view from behind and make sure the suit stays in place when you sit down and stand up.

Sutter is especially revved up about Dolce & Gabbana's new line for the beach, which includes suits, cover-ups and skirts. "They have interesting silhouettes," she says. "It's not big on prints, but it has neat detailing and shapes."

Florida's environment favors lighter, brighter colors such as corals and pinks, although orange is hot, too, whether it's intense tangerine or soft sherbet. One color success story that surprises Sutter is taupe. "Five or eight years ago, you wouldn't have thought it would sell, but it's very good for us," she says. "It's very risky because it's close to skin tone."

As with so many other wardrobe essentials, you can never go wrong with black. Every woman should have a nice black swimsuit. In fact, every woman should have suits for every occasion-a Sunday best, a comfortable older suit, a knock-around suit for working in the garden and dipping in the hot tub. ("Never go in a hot tub in a suit you care about," Sutter says. "It boils them.") The strapless Bando style has attained classic status, so keep that in the collection, too.

As for two-piece suits, the "hipster" bottom still is hip. The low-slung look, mirroring the trend in trousers, could go out of style in the next few years, Sutter says. The waistline is creeping up, thanks to European designers.

The biggest news is the acceptance of separates. Ninety percent of two-piece suits are bought as individual pieces so a woman can purchase the best fit for top and bottom, Sutter says. Tops are softer now, less constructed, less wiry. Halters are the best seller in bikini bras. "You couldn't give them away five years ago," Sutter says.

Sunglasses

Southwest Floridians will have it made in the shade if they're wearing Kieselstein-Cords, the very latest in sunglasses. The high-end designer of jewelry, handbags and belts offers a look that seems tailor-made for the subtropics: A curling alligator accent adorns the frames of many models. "It certainly makes an impression," says Kelly Chasnov of Eyetopian Optical in Bonita Springs and south Fort Myers. "It's the piece we're most excited about." Good coverage and luxurious details-sterling silver, leather temples, say-make for a prized pair of shades.

Three or four pairs might be called for-think of sunglasses as a fashion accessory. Some are made for shopping and brunch around the pool; others for boating and similarly sporty pursuits. One sportier choice is Maui Jim, which Eyetopian is the first to offer in the United States, Chasnov says. And Jackie-O style ovals always make an elegant option.

Also keep an eye out for polarized lenses, which offer the best defense against glare-the real vision impairer in Southwest Florida. "It's always sunglass season in Florida," Chasnov says. "For overcast days, brown polarized lenses work best. For intense sun, gray lenses don't change color tones."

As for frames, let your own eye be your guide. "The idea that if you have a square face you should go with rounded frames is an old wives' tale," Chasnov says.

Lingerie

When it comes to foundation garments, the less evidence, the better. Nude hues, convertible straps and smooth finishes help keep unmentionables unnoticeable.

"A nude color in a bra or panty works best under both black and white," says Kellie Jacoby, special events manager at Saks Fifth Avenue in Naples. "The big thing is the T-shirt bra. Almost every line has a smooth-finish model that's seamless and you can wear underneath almost any top. Lacy is very pretty, but it's not smooth. It restricts what you can wear it with." Wacoal has added a new front-closing, seamless model to its line and also offers a three-way convertible that transforms over the shoulder, halter or crisscrossed in back. Chantelle also has a versatile convertible that goes from standard to strapless.

Getting down to bottoms, low-rise thongs still are popular-and not just with younger women, Jacoby says. They're following along the lines of contemporary designs in jeans.

At the end of the day, women are playing with Burberry. The company's trademark tan, black and red pattern is popular in sleepwear, as are solid pastels in pretty pinks and blues.