Embrace the festive season and beyond with a collection of accessories designed to add elegance, personality, and a touch of vintage charm to any ensemble. From subtle accents to bold statements, discover the essential pieces that fashion's tastemakers are coveting for an effortlessly chic look.
Unlock Your Signature Style: The Power of Thoughtful Adornments
The Allure of Intricate Hair Accessories: Transforming Everyday Looks
On a recent Tuesday morning at the Vogue offices, a vibrant conversation sparked over the perfect holiday accessories. A stunning Manà x Carina Nicklas pendant, featuring a woven rope and a large-tasseled white shell, caught immediate attention. This piece, exuding an eclectic yet sophisticated charm, was flawlessly paired with a leopard-print jacket, a black scarf top, and silk trousers with lace trim. Such deliberate details—the delicate lace, the nostalgic rope, the dynamic fringe—breathe life into an outfit, making it ideal for captivating evening wear. The author also shared her personal favorite: a Lié Studio hairpin and a printed pashmina from Istanbul, effortlessly elevating a simple jeans and sweater combination.
A Revival of Adornment: Blending Nostalgia with Modernity
This year marks a noticeable resurgence in decorative accessories, a renewed appreciation for items that evoke a sense of history and preciousness, reminiscent of a cherished heirloom. For many, including the author, personal accessorizing often leans towards sentimental pieces that feel collected and storied, rather than mass-produced. This sentiment resonates throughout the fashion world, with creatives gravitating towards nostalgic references and timeless designs. Art Deco-inspired brooches, sculpted cuffs, and ornate hairpins are making a significant comeback, perfectly aligning with the approaching season of celebration and fresh starts. These accessories beautifully merge past memories with contemporary aesthetics, creating truly impactful statements.
Embracing Contrasts: Juju Vera's Philosophy on Styling
Julia Ferentinos, the visionary behind Juju Vera, continuously explores the interplay between old and new in her designs. Her expanded jewelry line now features hairpins, brooches, and tassel clutches, drawing inspiration from the iconic films of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Ferentinos aims to infuse the glamour of these golden eras into everyday life. Her personal styling philosophy centers on harmonizing opposites: she loves pairing her distinctive pieces with a minimalist, monochromatic wardrobe, such as silk shirts, tailored trousers, or a classic black dress.
The Unexpected Pop: Jalil Johnson's Approach to Tights
Jalil Johnson, founder of the Consider Yourself Cultured newsletter and a connoisseur of forward-thinking style, shares a similar appreciation for balance. He views tights with the same importance as jewelry, emphasizing their role in completing an outfit and adding a touch of vitality, especially to all-black ensembles. His go-to choice is a bold red pair, which he finds perfect for the holidays and beyond. He also favors shimmering tights that catch the light and the timeless versatility of essential black sheers, oscillating between 50 and 20 denier for different effects.
The Enduring Charm of Pillbox Hats: Marianna Vergara's Vintage Love Affair
Marianna Vergara, the creative force behind Merci, c’est vintage, has cultivated her unique style through a lifelong passion for pillbox hats. She values accessories that possess distinct character and presence, noting their quiet power. According to Vergara, such hats demand confidence and she firmly believes, "the weirder the hat, the better!"
The Elevated Hair Accessory: Effortless Elegance for Any Day
For those days when hair needs a quick fix, a chic clip offers an instant polished look. Amalie Moosgaard, co-founder of Lié Studio, introduced claw clips and barrettes made from Italian acetate for this very reason. She highlights how easy it is to achieve an elegant low pony in seconds with her Maude Barrette. Juju Vera's hairpins, adorned with onyx, provide a jewelry-like touch, perfect for evening wear.
The Pendant Necklace: A Statement of Grace and Movement
Pendant necklaces hold a special place in any jewelry collection, serving as effortless statement pieces with significant impact. Recent trends favor tasseled and fringed designs, which add dynamic movement and texture to even the simplest silhouettes. These pieces are perfect for layering over a silk blouse or accentuating an elegant dress for black-tie occasions, making a sophisticated visual statement.
The Evening Clutch: A Modern Twist on a Classic Essential
An evening clutch is an indispensable accessory for any night out. Contemporary designs offer fresh interpretations of classic silhouettes, incorporating netted, satin, tasseled, or sculptural elements that feel both current and timeless. Vogue Shopping director Talia Abbas, for instance, has a particular fondness for vintage tassel clutches, describing her pursuit of a black Bottega version after discovering a red one at a flea market. Despite its compact size, she values its unique charm and the frequent inquiries it sparks, calling it "the chicest plus one for any evening look."
The Leather Gloves: Old Hollywood Glamour Reimagined
Leather gloves are a winter staple that instantly evoke the glamour of old Hollywood. Whether short and sleek or dramatically long, they effortlessly infuse elegance into any attire. These sophisticated accessories transition seamlessly from day to night, offering a perfect touch of drama. Libby Jane Page, Vogue Shopping's executive director, wears her short Agnelle leather gloves with a wristwatch during the day, while model Maya Stepper sported opera gloves with a minimalist slip dress and faux fur scarf at Khaite's Spring 2026 show, showcasing a look that was both winter-ready and black-tie chic.
The Cape: A Sculptural Layer for A-List Sophistication
A favorite among celebrities, the cape offers a stylish and sculptural layer over a knit sweater or a mini dress. Dakota Johnson chose a satin version for the Zurich Film Festival, and Kaia Gerber brought dramatic flair to the Vanity Fair Oscar party with a sheer, floor-length cape. This versatile piece adds a refined touch and a sense of effortless sophistication to any ensemble.
The Colored Tights: Adding a Bold Finish with Unexpected Hues
Jalil Johnson is renowned for his innovative styling, always keen to introduce fresh and unexpected elements. His top winter accessory for elevating an outfit is tights, suitable for both day and night. He particularly favors a bold red tight, perfect for the holiday season and beyond. Johnson also appreciates shimmering tights that catch the light, and the timeless appeal of black sheer tights, alternating between 50 and 20 denier for varied effects. An image features him adding a vibrant red pop to a tonal brown ensemble, showcasing a bold and refined finish.
The Brooch: A Personality-Driven Flourish with Vintage Charm
Brooches have triumphantly returned to the fashion scene, as seen on runways and at prestigious events like the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Exhibit. They offer a unique way to infuse personality into any look. Whether you prefer vintage silver with black onyx, rich ruby hues, or playful designs like Loewe's frog brooch, the key is to select a piece that truly resonates with your individual style. Pin it to a jacket lapel for an elegant touch, or use it to secure a scarf for a subtle yet deliberate detail. Julia Ferentinos notes her Vienna piece as a personal favorite, often worn over a scarf or turtleneck to instantly elevate her outfits.
The Scarf Accent: A Playful Pop of Color and Pattern
The scarf remains a quintessential winter accessory. Available in skinny or square cuts, and made from materials like pashmina or silk, it effortlessly injects color and pattern into any outfit. For minimalists, simply draping it over an all-black ensemble creates a deliberate, modern, and exceptionally chic contrast. Take inspiration from Vogue's executive fashion director, Lisa Aiken, who created a striking cape-like effect with her striped Lescarf pieces during Paris Fashion Week.
The Cuff: A Sculptural Edge for Modern Versatility
Whether crafted from gold or silver, with sleek lines or intricate embellishments, a cuff adds a sculptural and contemporary edge to any look. It can be styled casually with a white tee and classic denim for everyday wear, or paired with a long-sleeve silk dress for a festive holiday soirée. Its versatility makes it an effortlessly modern accessory for diverse occasions.
The Pillbox Hat: A Timeless Statement of Sophistication
Marianna Vergara, often seen sporting her signature pillbox hats, possesses an unparalleled talent for discovering exceptional vintage and contemporary pieces. She previously shared with Vogue that her personal collection boasts over 70 such hats. When it comes to styling, Vergara adheres to a clear philosophy: she loves pairing a beautiful fabric hat with an equally exquisite coat, a turtleneck, and simpler bottoms like jeans or trousers. She almost always enhances a less ornate hat with a brooch, noting that it instantly elevates the entire look.
