How to Style Your Watch for Fashion Week? Feat. Expert Stylist Aimée Parfitt

Styling your watch isn’t always a piece of cake. Just like in fashion, there are fashion faux pas to look out for and style combinations that probably shouldn’t ever see the day. At the same time, codes are being broken and outside-the-box thinking seems to be becoming the new norm in today’s day and age – after all, if people want to wear smartwatches during their wedding, who are we to judge?

So, how should we style our watch in 2023? And most importantly, how should we style our watch during a time such as Fashion Week? To find out, I interviewed Aimée Parfitt, expert stylist and CEO of The A List Styling, a London-based luxury styling company and member of the Vogue 100 Club.

After a marathon of runway shows and Vogue events across New York, London and Paris, Aimée is back in town and ready to share her tips on how to style your watch like a real fashion maven, whether it be during the frenzy of Fashion Week or for any high-stake event.

Clemence: Your custom-made Cayley Cochrane couture look for Vogue World 2023 was simply divine. I see you paired the look with a stunning two-tone watch. Tell me more about your watch! Where is it from and what do you love about it?

Aimée: I wore my two-tone Rolex Datejust watch and actually, it was my dad’s! I think there’s something special about a watch. For me personally, it’s the fact that it carries so much emotion. My mum bought it for my father on their one-year anniversary and my dad bought the matching, smaller version for my mum. On my watch, the words “Lani”, my mum’s name, and “August 81” are engraved, while on my mum’s watch, it says “John”, which was my dad’s name. The Rolex is beautiful but beyond that, I love that it also holds meaning, which is why, one day, I hope to pass it on to my baby boy.

Clemence: Why do you think your watch worked well with the look?

Aimée: I think it worked well with the look because it’s a two-tone piece. The watch goes with literally anything and everything, including my engagement and wedding rings. I love yellow gold with diamonds, so I feel like the yellow and silver of the watch really accentuate the beauty of the jewels while complementing any outfit seamlessly.

Clemence: In the watch industry, we believe a watch says a lot about the wearer. What do you think your watch says about you?

Aimée: I think a watch is quite a powerful statement, but I also like to feel like I’m extremely thoughtful in my approach to things. I like the sense of emotion that runs deep in any family heirloom, including my father’s watch. This Rolex used to be something that my dad touched and wore every day, and now, it’s my turn to wear it and cherish it daily. In my books, a two-tone watch always looks and feels powerful, but it’s also an extremely elegant piece that doesn’t overpower any look. I’d say this reflects my personality pretty well.

Clemence: How would you style your watch for a high-fashion event, whether it be for a Vogue event, a runway show or any other fashionable occasion?

Aimée: If you’re wearing the right watch, then I believe you don’t need to style it. The watch should just be part of you and look like you could wear it with a bikini or a full-on gown, and it should still just do the part. For me, that’s where a true investment sits. Then, when you start collecting different pieces, I think that’s when you can have a bit of a more ornate watch or something a bit more delicate, with a lot of diamonds and other elaborate finishes. You should definitely have fun with your watches and treat them like jewellery. But at the same time, a watch is not just a timepiece; it can be a statement by itself and shouldn’t need anything else to stand out.

Clemence: How would you style an off-duty look for Fashion Week? And how would your watch go with the look?

Aimée: I love to stack my watch with a lot of jewellery. I have this gorgeous Alexandre Birman strap adorned with a little leather bow that I wear with everything, and I also have this gold bracelet with my baby’s initials from this Dubai designer I love. I always have a lot of beads on my wrist, so I love to stack my Rolex that way, especially for an off-duty look. For a fancier event, I would add a strong piece, such as a diamond tennis bracelet. For me, that’s the perfect piece to elevate any look, and it always feels elegant.

Clemence: Of course, there aren’t just designer wristwatches. A plethora of watch lovers are falling for multipurpose smartwatches and innovative sports watches. How would you style a smartwatch for an important Fashion Week event?

Aimée: I’m terrible, Clemence. I’ve lost so many Fitbits. I think I’m on my fifth Fitbit right now! Before that, I also lost my Apple Watch, so I do think these smartwatches are incredible but for some reason, I can’t seem to keep them on my wrist for very long. Personally, I’m one of those two watch wearers. I would put my skinny Fitbit on my right wrist so it’s not on show when I’m wearing my Rolex. I think, for anything bigger than that, I would probably take my Rolex off and just showcase the smartwatch by itself.

Clemence: What’s the best type of watch to wear to Fashion Week, according to you?

Aimée: I don’t think there is a fixed rule if I’m being honest. Of course, if you’re wearing a classic suit, I probably wouldn’t recommend wearing a bulky smartwatch. If you love digital watches and can’t imagine taking yours off, I’d say go for a hybrid smartwatch, something smart-looking that still has the features you need to stay productive on the go. Dress watches work in every scenario, of course, but even pilot watches and dive watches can work for a formal event if you style them well. The main thing is to stick to a coherent colour palette, so if you’re wearing dark colours, wear a dark watch. Same story if you’re considering lighter shades.

Clemence: How do you style your watch with your jewellery? Are there any fashion faux pas to avoid?

Aimée: I love a bit of gold and silver together, especially since I wear a two-tone watch. I love stacking and mixing multicoloured jewels with beads and leather. I’m always down for a fun, earthy look. In my mind, there are no faux pas when it comes to styling your watch; the only thing to keep in mind is whether the watch is an ornate kind of piece or not. If it is, then you should allow it to stand out and have its moment. You want to bring the eye to your watch, not the accessories around it.

Clemence: Finally, show us your favourite watch look from Fashion Week 2023!

Aimée: I simply adore the look I wore for the LuisaViaRoma Runway Icons show in June. The dress is by Australian designer Amber Keating, and the brand is Common Hours. To me, she is a true artist in the way that she approaches her designs. She licenses work from artists and then puts them into a limited print. I think that’s so special. For the creation of my dress, she used this beautiful silk made in the mills in Italy. The quality is stunning and it’s so lightweight and easy to wear. I also love the way the silk glows in the light. I think it looks stunning against any metal, which is why I thought my Rolex would look beautiful with the dress. I also added some of The A List’s bespoke jewellery pieces, including the choker and the ring. Then, to elevate the look, I complemented the yellow of the dress with a striking Roger Vivier clutch.

Clemence: Thank you so much, Aimée! I can’t wait to see what fabulous looks you will wear to Fashion Week next. For those of you who are getting ready for an important event or simply want to elevate the wardrobe, don’t hesitate to contact The A List Styling. They’ll know how to up your fashion game!