BOYS' ZONE

Time was when a gentleman would never go out without a neatly knotted tie and a well pressed shirt with double cuffs held together with a smart pair of cuff-links. Nowadays, as we all become more casually attired, it is really only the tie that makes any sort of regular appearance. What thought goes into buying or wearing a belt ("It's just something to keep my jeans up with"), socks ("If they're not crispy I'll wear them for another day") or a tie? As for cuff-links, every man has a pair somewhere, but when was the last time they were worn? (There is, unbelievably, a cuff- link etiquette which states that cuff-links should never be bigger than than a man's thumb. I think this is nonsense.) So if this has given you the inclination to get spruced up or indulge yourself, here is a healthy selection of bits that will finish off any outfit nicely.

Right (top left, top to bottom): Silver three-legged chair cuff- links, pounds 60, Detail, 4a Symons Street, London SW8 (0171 730 8488); Silver and orange oblong cuff-links, pounds 35, Burro, 19a Floral Street, London WC2, (0171 240 5120); Silver clover cuff-links, pounds 70, Tom Gilbey's Waistcoat Gallery, 2 New Burlington Place, London W1 (0171409 3060); Pink saucy lady cuff-links, pounds 30, Paul Smith, 41/43 Floral Street, London WC2 and Kafta, 41 Union Terrace, Aberdeen (inquiries: 0171 379 7133); Electric blue and aqua cross cuff-links, from pounds 45, Duchamp from branches of John Lewis and Fenwick (inquiries: 0181 743 5999); Green stone and gold star cuff-links, pounds 65, Oswald Boateng, 9 Vigo Street, London W1 (0171 734 6868).

Right (top right, top to bottom) Silver tablet shaped cuff-links, pounds 55, Michael de Nardo from Jess James, 3 Newburgh Street, London W1 (0171 437 0199); Silver forged bar cuff-links, pounds 78, Sam Salmons, from Jess James, as before; Gold screw cuff-links, pounds 80, Tateossian, from Space NK, 41 Earlham Street, London WC2 (0171 379 7030); Silver "love divine" cuff-links, pounds 110, Wright & Teague, from Jess James, as before and Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW1 (inquiries: 0171 336 8633); Large blue crystal cuff-links, pounds 140, Detail, as before; Blue eggshell cuff-links, pounds 75, Jennifer Corker, from Paul Smith, as before; Shirts, pounds 47.50 each, Thomas Pink, shirtmaker, 85 Jermyn Street, London SW1 (inquires and mail order: 0171 498 3882).

Left (clockwise from top): Lime green and black stripe tie, pounds 50, Kenzo, from Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW1; Turquoise and fuschia tie, pounds 65, Oswald Boateng, 9 Vigo Street, W1, (0171 734 6868); Lime stripe tie, pounds 17.99, Next branches nationwide, (0116 284 9424); Purple and gold hexagon tie, pounds 65, Oswald Boateng, as before; Orange tie, pounds 35, Joseph, 77 Fulham Road, London SW3 (0171 629 4774); Blue and black patterned tie, pounds 45, Gene Meyer, Jones, 13 Floral Street, London WC2 (0171 240 8313); Multi-coloured squares tie, pounds 55, Richard James, from Harvey Nichols, as before; Green all over "G" tie, pounds 60, Gucci, from Harvey Nichols, as before; Navy and lime stripe tie, pounds 17.99, Next, as before; Red / pink / navy squares tie, pounds 55, Richard James from Harvey Nichols, as before; Blue satin tie, pounds 43, Jigsaw menswear, 9/10 Floral Street, London WC2 and branches, (0171 240 5651); Gold and navy stripe tie, pounds 24.99, and purple tie, pounds 14.99, both French Connection, 99 Long Acre, London WC2 and branches (0171 580 2507); Lime with blue squares tie, pounds 17.99, Next, as before; Multi-coloured striped tie, pounds 65, Oswald Boateng, as before; Pink double cuff shirt, pounds 129, Nicole Farhi, 55/56 Long Acre, London WC2 and branches (0171 499 8368); Green tie, pounds 14.99, French Connection, as before; Blue stone tie pin, pounds 60, Oswald Boateng, as before.

Left (from top): Orange socks, pounds 6.50, Burlington, from department stores nationwide (inquiries: 0171 580 8355); Green argyle and orange socks, pounds 5.99, both Burlington, as before; Orange, cream and brown socks, pounds 17, Dries van Noten, from Jones, 13 Floral St, London WC2 (0171 240 8313).

Far left: Red and yellow mock croc belts, pounds 70, Paul Smith accessories, 41/43 Floral St, London WC2; Silver square buckle belt, pounds 12.99, Next branches nationwide (0116 284 9424); "N" logo belt, pounds 59 from a selection at Nicole Farhi, 55/56 long acre, London WC2 and branches (0171 499 8368); Round silver buckle belt, pounds 55, Paul Smith accessories as before; Dark brown belt, pounds 39, agnes b, 35/36 Floral St, London WC2 and branches (0171 225 3608); Prada belt, pounds 99, from Joseph, 77 Fulham Road, SW3 (0171 629 4774).