The Only 5 Autumn Accessory Trends That Matter

I could probably be here all day telling you about the hundreds of accessories that look right for now; We appear to be in a time where great outfit finishing options abound. Whether you're a minimalist who wants to flourish with the simplest of extras and take last autumn's basics to a new level or you're a maximalist of the highest order piling on It piece after It piece, no ensemble is complete without a little something-something. 

There are so many accessory trends this season that it could potentially be overwhelming to decipher what you'd like to try out—there are only so many days left of 2019, after all. 

So I've filtered through the street style images of NYC, London, Milan and Paris to find the most common threads and work out which add-ons are really making the greatest impact and proving to be the most popular amongst the fashion set. Five presented themselves, and almost all of them can be attributed to one brand in particular: Bottega Veneta. New creative director Daniel Lee is the man of the moment and his accessories like square-toe sandals, squidgy clutch bags and jumbo belts have proven to shopping catnip for those in the know. The outfit above sums up almost every one of these key accessorising trends for autumn, which proves that many of the suggested new items below are ripe for combining together.

Keep scrolling to see which five accessory trends are really changing the game for autumn 2019.

1. THE GOLD CHAIN

It's been a long, long time since statement earrings weren't the #1 go-to for editors, influencers, stylists and fashion lovers across the globe. But over the past few months chunky gold chains have taken over, being worn with everything from plain ol' tees to fancy dresses. Many girls are transitioning them into the A/W season over roll-necks and chunky knits—there's still plenty of wear to come.

2. SQUARE-TOE SHOES

What started off in the summer via sandals has segued into autumn with square-toe shoes and boots continuing to be that little point-of-difference for the most directional of dressers. From Wandler to Topshop this '90s throwback footwear trend can be found all over the retail scene.

3. THE BIGGEST OF BELTS

Not everyone's best friend at lunch-time, I know, but the big waist belt is back. The gold curved one you can see here is from Bottega and has been particularly popular, but this kind of cinching isn't reliant on designer goods alone—try buying vintage!

4. COMBAT BOOTS

It doesn't matter whether they're long or short, old or new, expensive or affordable, just take my word for it that you will feel really smug when you own a pair of black stompy combat boots. They make every outfit look that little bit tougher and they are an absolute dream to work in. Since the fashion gods declared that trainers and hiking sandals could stay the comfy shoe options just keep on rolling in…

5. GRAB BAG

Mini bags, giant bags, cross-body bags and shoulder bags are all still entirely stylish, but the clutch has been making quite the comeback. Again, it's a Bottega trend that's sparked a barrage of grab-and-go styles to be introduced into stores. You can buy great second-hand options on Etsy—that's where I've been looking for more affordable alternatives.