Bags, sunglasses, and jewellery — the key accessories that will define the season.
Accessories Are Not an Afterthought
I spent most of my early twenties treating accessories like the last five minutes of getting dressed — something you
throw on after the outfit is already done. A quick grab for a necklace, a bag by the door, earrings from the little dish
on the bathroom shelf.
This season changed how I think about all of it.
The Bag That's Actually Worth Talking About
The woven bag had a moment last summer. This summer it's had something else — an upgrade. Raffia and rattan are still
present but they've been joined by something more structured: woven leather in natural tones, half-open bucket shapes,
bags that are clearly considered rather than casual. The shift is from beachy to actually sophisticated.
What to look for: a shape that works as an everyday bag, not just a holiday bag. If it only works at the beach, you'll wear it four times. If it works with your Saturday trousers and your Tuesday linen dress, you'll wear it for months.
Sunglasses: The Year of the Frame
The chunky dark frame had a long run and it's not going anywhere, but something smaller and more architectural is getting
equal attention this summer. Oval frames. Angular frames with very thin metal. The kind of sunglasses that look like
they were designed rather than manufactured. If your current pair feels slightly dated to you — trust that instinct, it's
usually right.
Jewellery: One Big Thing
The maximalist stacking trend is giving way (finally) to something more considered. One statement piece — a sculptural
cuff, a long pendant necklace, a really good hoop — worn with nothing else competing for attention. The effect is
dramatically more powerful than piling on four things simultaneously.
Gold is dominant this season. Warm, yellow gold — not silver, not rose gold. If you have a silver collection, it still works beautifully, but gold feels more current.
The Hat You'll Actually Wear
Not the wide brim that lives in your bedroom because you feel too conspicuous in it. Something simpler — a bucket hat in
linen or canvas, or a very good baseball cap in a neutral tone worn deliberately, not apologetically. The hat you'll
actually reach for is better than the hat that looks good on a peg.
"The right accessory doesn't complete an outfit. It's the reason the outfit works."
A Note on Shoes as Accessories
This summer the shoe is doing double duty as the statement piece. Sculptural sandals — strappy, detailed, with interesting hardware — are being worn with the simplest possible outfits. A plain white dress. Wide-leg linen trousers. A silk slip. The shoe is the point.
Lumia Editors
Fashion Editor · Lumia Outfits
