Hottest Accessories Seen Across Spring 2026 Fashion Weeks, According to Buyers

MILAN — The adrenaline rush caused by the spring 2026 fashion season’s wave of new creative directors, strong sophomore collections and emerging brands to watch remains strong, with the fashion crowd still engaged in assessing its favorite shows, must-have pieces and overall winners.

Accessories aren’t exempt from the conversation, as the quiet-no-more approach seen in many collections trickled down to shoes, bags and more. The category remains key for companies and consumers — the main driver of business in the luxury sector hopefully offering a way to reverse slumping sales and a way for consumers to enter a brand’s universe at more accessible prices.

“Clients are looking for accessories with personality and longevity. There’s a renewed focus on craftsmanship and material quality rather than logos,” said 10 Corso Como owner Tiziana Fausti.

“Compared to last year, I’ve noticed a real shift away from novelty and ‘viral’ moments. The modern luxury customer is looking for investment pieces — designs that express individuality but also promise longevity,” echoed Sara Wong, director of accessories at Selfridges. “Sustainability and provenance are becoming key decision factors; people want to know who made their accessories and how. Today’s shopper is thoughtful, intentional and deeply connected to the idea of quality — choosing pieces that offer meaning, craftsmanship and timeless versatility over fleeting trends.”

For Maud Pupato, buying director for luxury womenswear, accessories and footwear at Printemps, customers’ demands remain polarized. “On one side they crave newness, personalization, singularity, accumulation and playfulness. On the other side, accessories are a safe investment purchase and they like some reassurance, quality and practicality.”

“Our clients are increasingly drawn to pieces that merge artistry with longevity — accessories that feel deeply personal yet distinctly elevated,” said Tiffany Hsu, chief buying and group fashion venture officer at Mytheresa. “Compared to last year, we’re seeing a stronger appetite for color, sculptural shapes and tactile finishes — a desire to invest in items that feel joyful, expressive and enduring. Ultimately, customers want accessories that mirror this new mood in fashion: confident, emotive and crafted to last well beyond a single season.”

A Snapshot From the Shows

Hence a heightened attention to craftsmanship dominated the accessories arena, with textural richness, bold colorblocking and some much-needed fun touches rounding out brands’ recipe for spring 2026.

Exotic skins and animal prints added to woven constructions, soft suedes and leather silhouettes, mesh and raffia accents, as well as tassels and fringed details on shoes and bags. 

Overall, footwear kept building on the dressier approach seen the past few seasons, expressed especially via feminine pumps, peep-toed shoes and embellished sandals. Chic low-profile sneakers and new takes on thong sandals and flip-flops offered a more casual counterpoint.

As for bags, bigger, softer and slouchier designs ruled the runways. A vintage, lived-in feel also ran through many collections, exemplified by the new Chanel bags Matthieu Blazy paraded in his stellar debut at the French brand.

“Across the major fashion cities, there’s a clear move toward what I like to call ‘lived luxury’ — a focus on texture, patina and craftsmanship that tells a story,” said Wong. “There’s something so modern about the way heritage houses like Chanel are softening their iconic silhouettes, luxurious yet lived-in, polished but approachable.”

New takes on heritage codes proved to be successful not only at Chanel — where the signature two-toned pumps were revisited in new shapes and a mix of materials and colors — but also at the likes of Dior, Loewe and Bottega Veneta, which were among the names ranking highest on buyers’ lists.

Rounding out the accessories game was also a plethora of bold jewelry, statement sunglasses, silk scarves, opera gloves and headpieces, as seen at shows including Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Celine, Prada and Dior, respectively, to cite a few.

While Nordstrom’s vice president, fashion director Rickie De Sole highlighted a “growing interest in fine jewelry” by customers, who are “drawn to pieces that feel personal, and modern heirlooms they can wear every day,” Wong noted how “belts are also making a strong comeback, defining waists over outerwear and dresses, while headwear has become unexpectedly directional again.”

New Names to Watch

New brands added to the buzz, increasingly garnering buyers’ attention. In just a year, Christen — the solo project of Nina Christen who previously designed standout footwear for The Row, Bottega Veneta and Loewe and now is design director of shoes for Dior — has moved beyond the “emerging” phase, as it gears up to open its first store in Paris in the second quarter of 2026.

Challenging its top spot as the hottest new name in town was Jude, the footwear brand launched last year by Jurgita Dileviciute and Denitsa Bumbarova.

“Their shoes strike that perfect balance of femininity and refinement, reimagined through a modern lens. I love how they play with materials and texture to create color stories that feel both impactful and effortlessly wearable,” said Marissa Galante Frank, fashion director at Bloomingdale’s.

The brand was also on the radar of Wong and Roopal Patel, senior vice president, fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. 

While Patel also had her eyes on Duha and American shoe brand Herbert Levine, Pupato mentioned Hagelstam for redefining “everyday heels with effortless elegance, blending Scandinavian minimalism, comfort and a chic palette of timeless neutrals.”

Le Sundial, Juju Vera and Cordera were on the short list of Moda Operandi’s director of accessories Ryan Kleman, while Galeries Lafayette’s global buying director Alix Morabito picked accessories brand Amanu Studio, whose mission is to support local artisans in Kibera, Kenya, through its academy.

Here, buyers weight in on the top accessories of the season:

Roopal Patel, senior vice president, fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus

Favorite accessories: There were so many incredible accessories and shoes this season as part of the designer debuts. Blazy for Chanel’s update on the classic cap toe heel as a mule and bringing back the 2.55 — they are iconic shapes, but the twist of the square toe, the clean “no quilting” feel fresh and cool. Jonathan Anderson had a major lineup of accessories and shoes for Dior. We loved the signature “CD” pumps and the Lady Dior with all the animations are full of joy. It’s targeting a new customer. Louise Trotter for Bottega Veneta and her Intrecciato pouch with feathers woven into the weave was so elevated and chic. 

Top trends: The lady pump was everywhere, from classic to embellished. We loved the new take at Chanel and Dior, Prada’s fringed pump and the artisanal hand weave at Miu Miu. The mule is trending and the thong continues. We love the platform thong that Pierpaolo [Piccioli] sent down with his looks at Balenciaga.

For handbags, there is a return to the frame top-handle bag at Prada and The Row; [there was] the one handle bag at Loewe and there is a more compact version of the east-west bag. 

Fringe is everywhere in bags and shoes. Givenchy’s red mule and florals are also trending in shoes with Givenchy’s red rose mule and Dior’s rosette sandal. We also saw sea and surf inspiration, including the shell bag at Chloé and the seashell inspiration at Balmain was in bags and shoes.

Linda Fargo, senior vice president, fashion office and store presentation at Bergdorf Goodman

Favorite accessories: This has been the season of the accessory: The runways relied on more accessories than we usually see to get their vibe and message across. Headwear was everywhere, as well as important large and decorative earrings. Scarves and kerchiefs topped our list, and we even noticed that they had evolved past accessories to full-on “scarf dressing.” We loved seeing montages of various silk prints combined into one look, as well as all the symmetrical edges and pointy hemlines created by using the scarf motif.

Top trends: Accessories in unexpected pops of color threw things off of being too matchy-matchy. We see colorful accessories as a good investment bet as you probably don’t have a yellow, turquoise or orange shoe in your closet. 

Organic and amorphic hardware — earrings and necklaces perfectly complimented all the soft sculptural draped silhouettes in rtw. Long cord necklaces adorned looks in every city. Sometimes the pendant was an organic mini sculpture or a small leather wallet. By the time we hit Paris, large seashells became the pendant on a cord of choice. 

One-sided, slightly tipping top-handle bags emerged  as well as mesh and net bags, also supporting the more languid fluid rtw looks. Soft-sided, worn and loved became important and foot-forming ultrasoft kid leather shoes changed the vibe from prim to cool. We also saw at the Chanel and Versace shows handbags that expressed keepsakes and upcycles. Pointy-toe high heels and mules grounded the more dressed up looks, and thongs and flip-flop varieties showed up everywhere.

Must-have items: Blazy’s supersoft kid leather cap-toe heel went from classic to cool in the new foot-forming leather. You probably need a red shoe for spring, long-handled lady bag like we saw at Prada and don’t forget a large soft fold-over clutch with a long swinging fringe.

Rickie De Sole, vice president, fashion director at Nordstrom

Favorite accessories: There have been so many buzzworthy moments throughout this fashion week. With numerous designer debuts, the week carried a sense of importance and intentionality — and accessories were no exception. From brands reworking archival items, most notably at Chanel, Dior and Celine, to joyful spring-forward colors and shapes at Loewe, Chloé and Ferragamo, this was a season that delivered exciting newness. Prada’s satin pochette offered a chic new take on the evening bag. Bold accessories resonated, with playful statement jewelry at Chloé and McQueen, and oversize sunglasses at Balenciaga.

Top trends: The return of the heel and ladylike accessories was evident, with top-handle bags at The Row and Dior paired with feminine pumps. Textural and mixed materials made a strong impact, especially at Bottega Veneta, where woven leather was combined with feathers and fringe. Straw and natural fiber handbags emerged as a key trend, highlighted by Erdem’s raffia handbag and Dior’s basket-weave styles. Soft, oversize totes signaled a move toward ease over rigidity. Beaded totes at Dries Van Noten and soft leather styles at Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu and Celine were carried with relaxed confidence, appearing as if they were half their actual size. Color made a welcome return in accessories, from Jimmy Choo’s pastel feminine heels to Loewe’s bold leather bags and Balenciaga’s Pop-color moto styles.

Must-have items: Must-haves for spring are all about reinventing the past through a modern lens. Blazy reimagined Chanel’s signature cap-toe heels as slingbacks, delivering a look that’s refined, forward-thinking yet grounded in heritage. Anderson introduced a fresh take on the Lady Dior bag in soft suede with padding that offered a real sense of ease, along with the new Bow Bag featuring an origami-inspired flap and curved handle that brought youthful energy to the house of Dior. Rider’s spring bags for Celine reworked house icons with quiet precision. The new Luggage silhouettes and leather pochettes referenced Phoebe [Philo]-era minimalism, while structured raffia totes added a fun, collectible edge.

Marissa Galante Frank, fashion director at Bloomingdale’s

Favorite accessories: Chanel’s constellation bag was truly out of this world. Blazy’s reinterpretation of the cap-toe pump felt like the perfect evolution of an icon. I loved Bottega Veneta’s Intrecciato bandana because it was such an effortless twist on their signature craft. Fendi’s jewel-encrusted Peekaboos brought a sense of joy and optimism to the runway. Celine’s cycling helmets were one of the most pleasantly unexpected — and undeniably chic — accessories of the season. Michael Rider admitted they were a nod to his life in Paris, but they also made so many of us who are constantly on the go feel seen. I loved how he transformed something so practical into a moment of luxury.

Top trends: Pendant necklaces were everywhere this season, often on leather cords and sometimes conveniently finished with tiny chic pouches. Beaded details added a playful, handcrafted touch to scarves, shoes, and bags. Woven leather brought texture and depth to a range of accessories.

Must-have items: The silk scarf is officially back — it’s the ultimate styling piece, whether worn as a belt, tied at the neck, or wrapped in your hair. Belts are a must-have for spring 2026 with chunky, sculptural styles defining the season’s layered looks.

Ryan Kleman, director of accessories at Moda Operandi

Favorite accessories: In a season of many creative director changes, the accessories anchored brands in their heritage and identity. Alaïa led the pack with bold fringe tights, a new top-handle “It” bag, and plenty of shoes that will surely hit our [best]-selling reports. Chloé also made a strong statement with the jelly shoe 2.0, bold button earrings and collectible clutches. A special mention for the swan[-shaped bag]. The Row continued its domination in austere accessories. Top of the list include the updates to its Lisa pump, Cecily satin totes and instant sell-out sandals.

Top trends: Trends seemed to be camouflaged throughout collections, versus any seismic shifts. Navy is emerging as the “new” color in leather goods, a nice answer to “what’s next” post chocolate brown. Voyeurism is making its way to handbags, via mesh, loose weaves and translucent fabrics, resulting in a see-through effect. Boat shoes have been upgraded to the yacht, via elevated materials, hardware and updated constructions.

Must-have items: Miu Miu’s woven pump, opera gloves at Prada, The Row’s Cecily satin totes, Button earrings at Chloé and jellies from Chloé and Alaïa.

Tiffany Hsu, chief buying and group fashion venture officer, Mytheresa

Favorite accessories: This season, accessories carried an incredible emotional charge — they became narrative extensions of each collection rather than simple complements. Simone Rocha’s sculptural pillow bags and puffed pieces perfectly captured that mix of fragility and strength that defines her vision, while Gucci’s tiger-print shearling jacket delivered pure statement energy with its audacious attitude. I was equally drawn to Chloé’s plexi-wedges and Miu Miu’s apron dress, both embodying the playful yet sophisticated mood of Paris. Across the board, designers celebrated tactility — from resin jewelry and soft shearling boots at Talia Byre x Ugg to the precision leatherwork at Saint Laurent — proving that accessories are once again the soul of storytelling.

Top trends: The dominant mood across all four cities was one of confident sensuality and refined rebellion. Exaggerated hips, hourglass tailoring and power shoulders — seen at Prada, Versace and Saint Laurent — redefined the female form with sculptural strength. At the same time, romantic textures prevailed: Simone Rocha’s ethereal tulle, Erdem’s delicate organza, and the fringe and feather detailing in Paris added softness and movement. The interplay of structure and fluidity, anchored in luxurious materials, created a collective language of empowerment — a celebration of the body, craftsmanship and emotion.

Must-have items: Dior’s new soft tote and Loewe’s large Amazona bag felt like instant icons — pieces destined for real-life wear but crafted with couture-level care. Each item captures the essence of spring 2026: poised, emotional and timeless.

Brigitte Chartrand, chief buying and merchandising officer, Net-a-porter

Favorite accessories: Definitely the thigh-high fringed socks at Alaïa. They were so unexpected and such a statement — I never could have predicted that I would want or need them next season! I also loved the Vivian bag at Versace and the oversize earrings at Saint Laurent were incredible.

Top trends: Primary colors and monochromatic dominated all over the runways, bringing a playful energy to accessories this season. There were lots of archival references, alongside crochet and artisanal embellishments and of course, flowers — in particular roses.

Must-have items: The updated Amazona Bag at Loewe is definitely a must-have — I loved the fresh take on the classic style. Miu Miu’s aprons became an unexpected statement piece, as well as the clogs at Simone Rocha. I also have my eyes on the new buckle sandals from Christen.

Sara Wong, director of accessories, Selfridges

Favorite accessories: This season, I was particularly drawn to the evolution of footwear — a clear reflection of the shift toward a more dressed-up, refined culture. Architectural kitten heels and mid wedges were everywhere, from The Row and Alaïa to Neous, each striking that perfect balance between thoughtful design and true wearability. It’s a direction that feels both elegant and grounded — something our clients instinctively connect with.

I was also captivated by the structured top-handle bags and the beautifully distressed metallic leathers shown by Dior, Loewe and Maison Margiela. There’s something so modern about the way heritage houses like Chanel are softening their iconic silhouettes, luxurious yet lived-in, polished but approachable.

Top trends: Across the major fashion cities, there’s a clear move toward what I like to call “lived luxury” — a focus on texture, patina and craftsmanship that tells a story. Handbags and shoes are being designed with both beauty and purpose in mind. The exaggerated micro bag moment has passed; now it’s all about relaxed top-handle bags, structured totes, and midsize silhouettes that actually serve a function. Footwear continues the same narrative — sculptural kitten heels and comfortable wedges dominate, offering elegance that works for real life.

Jewelry has taken a bolder turn. Statement pendants, lockets and sculptural cuffs are replacing the minimalist gold chains of past seasons — I loved the interpretations from Valentino and Khaite. Belts are also making a strong comeback, defining waists over outerwear and dresses, while headwear has become unexpectedly directional again. The pillbox and sculpted brim styles — especially as seen at Dior — bring such a sense of presence and poise to any ensemble.

Ultimately, across every category, there’s a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship, texture and material innovation — a quiet, confident kind of luxury that feels tactile, timeless and deeply personal.

Must-have items: A relaxed top-handle bag in metallic or quilted leather, a sculptural kitten heel or wedge, a sleek low-profile sneaker, and a bold pendant necklace to anchor a layered jewelry look.

Maud Pupato, buying director for luxury womenswear, accessories and footwear, Printemps

Favorite accessories: Wedges and velvet flip-flops at Balenciaga; Chanel’s two-toned shoes; Saint Laurent’s pendant earrings; Givenchy’s necklaces; Miu Miu’s belts; Courrèges’ new tote bag; Loewe’s glass clutch; Dior’s new quilted bag; Calvin Klein’s loafers; Bottega Veneta’s leather bandana; Roger Vivier’s crystal and embellished Belle Vivier pumps.

Top trends: The return of higher heels, especially slingbacks and wedges. Loafers, softer and quite cozy or completely masculine. Lady bags, sophisticated, especially the historical shapes updated and revisited. Statement clutches. Strong jewelry, especially necklaces and earrings, highlighting femininity. Ballet sneakers, vintage effects, high socks. Flower brooch. Suede was still very present. Also a lot of mixed fabrics.

Must-have items: Dior’s green Lady Dior with clovers; Saint Laurent’s mask sunglasses; Gucci’s new wrinkled leather bag; any two-toned shoes from Chanel; Miu Miu’s sneakers; Celine luggage, and the new bag in suede from Balenciaga.

Alix Morabito, global buying director, Galeries Lafayette

Favorite accessories: Silk scarves at Celine and Jacquemus. Pumps were prominent in various forms — high heel, wedges and block heel, as seen at Dior, Chanel, Maison Margiela, Balenciaga. The Versace x Onitsuka Tiger sneaker collaboration. Hats at Dior and caps at Loewe, Balenciaga, Celine. Belts with large lockets, as seen at Dior, Celine, Versace. Mask-style sunglasses as seen at Balenciaga, Loewe, Celine and Miu Miu. 

Top trends: Carelessly opened bags, at Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Gucci. Bracelet bags at Sevda London and Aesther Ekme. For colors, butter yellow, touches of turquoise, matcha green, brick red and colorblocking, as seen at Loewe, Versace, Celine, Fendi. 

This season showcased leather with a vintage aspect at Gucci; mesh bags at Courrèges, Proenza, Valesque, Neous; fringes at Burberry and Bottega Veneta. Suede leather remains strong, especially in colored versions.

For shoes, the trend is focused on feminine styles with a primary and Pop color palette. We’re seeing a return to high-heel pumps and mules with added jewelry and embellishments, like at Dior, Proenza Schouler, Moschino. The clog is also making a comeback on runways, at Bottega Veneta and Versace. Sneakers remain a key part of runway silhouettes, still as a low profile as seen at Miu Miu, Ami, Jacquemus, and flip-flops have joined the stage, like at Balenciaga, Rabanne, Ami. 

Allover prints (flowers, checks), raffia, feathers, python, and croco were also trending.

Must-have items: Charm bags; belts from Zomer or Meryll Rogge; the two-toned pump from Chanel and flip-flops.

Marco Raccuia, head of buying, women’s accessories, beauty, home and food, Rinascente

Favorite accessories: Multifunctional bags, the new quilted and chain-style creations like the one presented by Anderson in his debut at Dior. Bottega Veneta’s soft, braided maxi clutches, perfect to carry under the arm. Fendi’s timeless style presents a new, comfortable one-shoulder maxi bag and a Peakaboo with an interior embellished with embroideries. The return to the runway of thin belts that define the silhouette, like Victoria Beckham’s. Understated jewelry, like the drop earrings at Valentino.

Top trends: Fringes were a key element in the collections, whether in leather, suede, or fabric. Large clutches, like those at Bottega Veneta and Chanel, and comfortable shoulder bags like the Miu Miu multi-pocket bag, also featured. For the evening, soft curled sachets with satin laces, like the ones at Prada. A modern twist on ‘60s retro elegance, straight from the archives, was evident in the Chanel bags featured in Blazy’s debut. Soft-touch leather and suede with contrasting details as well as oversize sunglasses were also present.

Must-have items: Practical and versatile statement bags; soft clutches; earrings.

Tiziana Fausti, owner 10 Corso Como, Tiziana Fausti

Favorite accessories: This season, accessories embraced a sense of freedom and individuality. I loved pieces that balanced function and artistry — sculptural bags, fluid metallic jewelry, and footwear exploring new proportions. The most captivating items were those that reinterpreted classic shapes with unexpected materials, offering a dialogue between craftsmanship and modernity.

Top trends: The spring 2026 collections celebrated contrast and fluidity: soft volumes meeting structured lines, organic shapes enhanced by high-tech details. I observed a strong return of tactile materials — woven leathers, raffia, resin and hand-finished metals — paired with subtle futuristic touches. The color palette felt optimistic yet grounded, mixing natural hues with luminous accents.

Must-have items: Transformative bags that shift from day to evening, bold statement cuffs, and minimalist sandals with sculptural silhouettes. Each piece carries a sense of versatility and timelessness, aligning with how our clients like to build their wardrobe — through pieces that feel both contemporary and collectible.