It has often been argued that if Cinderella had possessed a reliable wristwatch, she would have known when her time at the ball was up and would have escaped the catastrophe that greeted her on the stroke of midnighht.

However, despite this critical need to get as accurate an account of the time as possible, if you found her shopping for a watch at your local mall today, it?s almost certain that the mechanical accuracy of the watch she was looking for would play second fiddle to its appearance.

The fact is (and this may well have been the case even in Cinderella?s day) most people place style above performance when it comes down to that final buying decision. We all want to look good and the vast majority of shoppers tend to buy something that is at least in tune with the fashion trends of the day, even if they do not regard themselves as a slave to it.

There is a certain kudos attached to having a reputation for looking fashionable, but with fashions changing so quickly in accordance with the latest trends dictated by the fashion houses, there is now an even stronger case for developing an individual style that transcends and outlives these trends.

How this style is achieved and the extent to which it ?works? depends largely on the the taste and eye of the individual. My meandering among theatergoers and folk who frequent horse race meetings, has meant that I have been fortunate enough to know a good many stylish dressers - and I am married to one of the best. All important is the colour co-ordination and cut of the various layers of clothing, the correct match of footwear, hats and gloves, together with the right balance of jewellery and make-up, where this is appropriate. However, the pivot