How to actually choose a scarf or a belt as a gift

From 19 to 24 November, a light coat is enough for walking around the city. If you want to give a gift, first ask yourself who it is for. For your mother, the Burberry light grey-pink scarf is about 140x140cm, modal with wool. She can drape it over her shoulders or fold it into a triangle and hang it at the front of her neck. The colour does not shout and sits most reliably with her usual dark coat.

For a partner, the MontBlanc double-sided men's belt in black and grey, 4cm wide, can be cut shorter yourself. If he wears suit trousers on weekdays, keep the black side; if he wears khaki trousers at the weekend, turn it to the grey side. You do not need to ask his size for the belt; when cutting it shorter, leave two hole positions and it will fit.

For a friend, a scarf is easier to get right than a belt. If she worries about her neck being too warm, fold the scarf in half and put it over her shoulders, with the two ends hanging at the front of her chest; with a short jacket it does not look bulky. She has her own bag, so the scarf colour only needs to be in the same tone as the leather of her bag.

For yourself, either works. Buckle the belt outside a long coat to bring out the waistline, with a thin knit underneath. For the scarf, wrap it around the bag handle: if the bag body is light, choose grey-pink; if the bag body is dark, choose the grey side of the belt. Both are HK$1998, the budget is clear, and there is no need to wait for a discount.

Think about the shoes and bag the recipient usually wears when going out, then decide between the scarf and the belt. For the scarf, feel it by hand and check whether the folds spring back; for the belt, turn both sides and check whether the edge paint has cracked.