Women’s Fashion: The Accessories Trends Defining Autumn

An outfit can be beautiful on its own, but the right accessories can take it somewhere else entirely. And this autumn, they’re very much in the spotlight.

The scarf has gone from a last-minute layer thrown on at the door to a leading player in its own right. Gloves are giving it a run for its money, too. Think long, glossy leather styles in colours that make a statement. And we haven’t even got to hats, beanies, brooches and jewellery yet.

This is the season to give your accessories their moment. Here are the trends catching my eye right now.

Hat couture

Headwear can be as warm and practical as you like this season. What matters is that it draws the eye and gives your outfit a little extra something. On the catwalk and on the streets, the humble beanie is still very much around, but it has some serious competition.

Pillbox hats, newsboy caps, berets, bucket hats and sophisticated wool and felt styles are all making a case for themselves.

Styling tip: Don’t save your hat for special occasions. A simple wool coat takes on a whole new character with a small pillbox hat, slim dark sunglasses and long leather gloves. A newsboy cap makes tailoring and knitwear feel less formal and more editorial, while a bucket hat adds just the right amount of attitude to jeans and a coat.

Look for: Rather than choosing between a hat and a beanie, think about headwear that reflects your personality. A refined felt hat for a classic look, a pillbox hat for a French touch, a wool cap or knitted beanie for something sporty, or a newsboy cap if you’re feeling a little more theatrical.

Time to glove up

This season, keep warm and make a statement with gloves that refuse to go unnoticed. Long opera gloves in leather, velvet and lace are enjoying a major revival on the red carpet and the catwalk. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make their way into our winter party wardrobes, too.

But why save the more dramatic styles for evenings out? Long leather gloves in black, brown, burgundy, plum or olive can take a wool coat from everyday to Paris Fashion Week, even if you’re just heading for the bus.

Karl Lagerfeld-inspired fingerless leather gloves and wrist warmers in leather or satin are also having a moment. Add a brooch for extra character, or keep them simple. Either way, they bring a touch of rock-star attitude to your wardrobe.

Styling tip: Play with contrasts to make long leather gloves stand out. Try cream-coloured leather against a dark wool coat, or let a pair in burgundy, red or green bring some colour to an otherwise neutral look.

Look for: Opera gloves in satin or lace, and long leather styles that extend well above the elbows. Plum, burgundy and olive are colours to watch, particularly in glossy, dramatic finishes such as crocodile-effect leather and velvet.

Scarves with ambition

Something has shifted in the world of scarves over the past few years. Once primarily a practical way to keep warm, the scarf has become a source of style, personality and polish in its own right.

That’s not to say the classic wool scarf wrapped around the neck has lost its appeal. This season, it’s all about how you wear it. Drape it over your shoulders like a mini cape, secure it with a brooch, tie it like a neckerchief or let it fall long and narrow down the front of your outfit. Wear it with tailoring, a party dress or let it become the main event. The scarf works with just about everything.

Silk scarves are enjoying a revival, too. On the AW26 catwalks, they were used as striking focal points, from oversized graphic prints to slim styles and fringed designs.

One microtrend I’m spotting everywhere right now is the oversized bow, seen at Celine, Givenchy and other fashion houses. For a different take, why not try one in leather?

Styling tip: A scarf is an easy way to bring colour into an otherwise dark autumn or winter wardrobe. Let it add life to a simple coat, or drape an oversized wool scarf over a blazer for a modern cape effect. Secure it with a statement brooch to make the look your own.

Look for: Printed silk scarves in all shapes and sizes. Don’t be afraid to step outside the traditional autumn colour palette. Scarf rings, belts and brooches also open up new ways to style both wool and silk scarves.

Straight from Grandma’s jewellery box

Jewellery is continuing in a more eccentric, maximalist direction this autumn and winter. That doesn’t necessarily mean wearing more of it. Instead, it’s about choosing individual statement pieces with a story to tell and a personality of their own.

And the brooch is still enjoying its moment in the spotlight. Ornate flowers, oversized geometric shapes and decorative pins appeared on everything from coats and blazers to knitwear and shirts. Chanel, Etro, Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren are among the fashion houses giving this classic accessory a new lease of life.

The beauty of a brooch is its versatility. A small gold pin on a blazer feels quietly elegant. Three oversized flowers on a wool coat tell a very different story.

This season, jewellery boxes should look as though they’ve been collecting treasures for generations. Oversized earrings, pearls, charms, medallions, chains and layered necklaces bring a more personal, eclectic feel to an outfit. Charms and pearls have a playful, 1980s feel, while larger, more decorative pieces add drama to everything from chunky wool blazers to elegant evening dresses.

Styling tip: Maximalism is back. Mix gold and silver, pair a simple watch with a stack of bracelets, or wear oversized earrings with an otherwise understated shirt. A medallion or charm necklace can also become the personal centrepiece of an outfit.

Look for: Pieces with personality. Great style doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. It’s about putting things together in a way that feels like you. Animal-inspired jewellery is set to remain a trend into spring, too. Take a look at Schiaparelli’s Spirit Animal collection for Spring 2027, then have a rummage through a dusty old jewellery box. Your next favourite piece might already be waiting for you.