My Friend Asked Which Accessories Will Be Trending This Season—No Doubt, These 6 Will

Spring might only just be in bloom, but already I’m thinking of summer. Haters will say I’m wishing my time away, but the thing with working in fashion is, you’re always looking a step ahead. If this summer had a theme, it would be joy. It’s no secret that the “big reshuffle” seen in fashion in the last year, in which saw 16 new creative directors at major luxury houses, has provoked a spring/summer season like never before.

Colour, texture, print and emotion are at the heart of most collections, as such their accessories make a statement. Whilst fashion in the last decade has been defined by quiet luxury, generally speaking, minimalism is no longer a motivation. Instead maximalist trends are leading the charge, with designers dipping into house archives for inspiration. On footwear, Chanel’s two-tone pumps inspired by the ‘80s have been seen on every stylist, influencer and editor’s Instagram feed these past two months. The comeback of bohemia has made its way into belts and jewellery, with vibrant beads, fringe details and lavish floral embroidered motifs.

Adding to the element of nostalgia, McQueen’s Seán McGirr has pioneered the return of the skull motif, right at the time of the return of Indie Sleaze. Chloe, Celine and Acne Studios are delivering bug-eye sunglasses which feel quite dramatic after years of sleek, Y2K frames that feel quite The Matrix coded. Essentially, this season promises bigger silhouettes, brighter colours and generally a more playful approach to accessorising, and who would want anything else?

6 Luxury Accessories to Buy In 2026

1. Extroverted Brooches

Style Notes: Whilst brooches have been creeping their way into accessory trends since last year, until recently they were largely pared back and classic. They were silver or gold, decorated with pearls and rhinestones. But S/S26 has different plans: froth, colour, FUN! Because if it doesn’t look like a flower in bloom, then I don’t want it.

2. Ludicrously Capacious Sunglasses

Style Notes: Forget librarian-coded reading glasses championed by the ‘frazzled English woman’ viral trend, it’s all about OTT and XXL (all the acronyms!) shades. Be it tortoise shell cyclical styles with light lenses like at Celine, more bud-eyed frames at Acne Studios, the message is clear: go big, or go home.

3. Beaded Bags

Style Notes: Quiet luxury really did a number on us when it comes to our taste. Sure, it’s spectacularly stylish to be minimal, but in the good words of Sex and the City’s Lexi Featherstone, “What ever happened to fun?” But S/S26 is changing things up, starting with beaded bags. Be it a sequin Fendi Baguette or an embellished satin pouch, the more beads, the better.

4. Appliqué Florals

Style Notes: Mother nature has been a major theme in fashion of late. Mushrooms at Chanel, ladybirds at Dior, you don’t have to look too hard to witness the avant garde nods to the natural world on the runway. Waxed appliqué flowers are my favourite addition. Jonathan Anderson’s waterlily green strappy sandals at Dior are the ultimate nod to his signature idiosyncratic mark he left at Loewe, and leather bag charms at Anya Hidmarch are a more approachable example of this trend.

5. Summer Scarves

Style Notes: ICYMI: scarves are no longer just for winter. Be it a skull headscarf à la McQueen that alludes to Indie Sleaze outfits of yore (2011), or a triangular waist tasselled number to be worn around the waist, scarves have overtaken bandanas as the cool-girl addition that completes a look.

6. Boho Belts

Style Notes: Buh-bye boring leather belts… Hello, beaded, medallion and fringed suede sashes! Summer is all about loose silhouettes and light fabrics, so I welcome the notion of dropping the not-so-interesting black leather belts that fit for tailored trews and switching them for low-slung boho styles that are there purely for decoration. Be it turquoise-adorned rope styles from Isabel Marant, to studded leather coin belts from Etro, the boho belt is back, and we’re not mad about it. The best part? No belt loops? No problem.