And then there’s Marianna Vergara, founder of Merci, c’est vintage, whose decades-long love affair with pillbox hats has shaped her style. “I’ve always loved accessories that carry character and presence. It has such quiet power,” she says. “You can’t wear one without confidence. I always say the weirder the hat, the better!”
As seen on the 2025 and 2026 runways, accessorizing isn’t about noise—it’s about nuance. Your signature might be a hair pin, a brooch, a pillbox hat, or a flash of unexpected color. Whatever it is, let it be something that feels distinctly, irresistibly you. After all, party dressing thrives on personality–those small expressive pieces that catch the eye and spark a conversation, and the ones in the edit below, are what have us talking.
The Hair Pin
When you’re on day three of not having washed your hair, nothing works harder than a beautiful clip to make you feel put-together. It’s what prompted Amalie Moosgaard, Lié Studio co-founder to introduce claw clips and barrettes crafted from durable Italian acetate into the accessories lineup: “On busy mornings or bad hair days, I brush my hair, clip it back with the Maude Barrette, and in 30 seconds I have a low pony that feels instantly elegant. My favorite thing has been seeing how everyone in the office and our store styles theirs—the possibilities are truly endless.” Juju Vera’s interpretation, which resembles jewelry for the hair, feels especially apt for the evening with its onyx-encrusted embellishment.
The Pendant Necklace
The pendant necklace holds a special place in our jewelry boxes as an effortlessly statement maker with maximum impact. Tasseled and fringed iterations have dominated the market of late, offering a touch of movement and texture to even the simplest of silhouettes. Drape one over a silk blouse, or let it punctuate an elegant dress for black-tie moments.
The Evening Clutch
For any night out, the evening clutch is a non-negotiable. Today’s iterations offer a modern twist on classic silhouettes—think netted, satin, tasseled, or sculptural takes that feel fresh yet timeless. Vogue Shopping director, Talia Abbas, is fond of the tassel clutch, particularly vintage ones: “I went down a rabbit hole searching for vintage tasseled Bottega clutches after seeing a red one at a flea market—I quite literally manifested a black one on Vestiaire Collective after a week of intense digging. It fits little (most certainly not a phone made for the year 2025), but I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I always get asked where it’s from, it’s the chicest plus one for any evening look.”
The Leather Gloves
A winter accessory that instantly channels the glamour of old Hollywood, gloves, from sleek leather pairs to full-length styles, are one of the easiest ways to inject elegance in a look. Perfect for the elevated cool girl, they move effortlessly from day to night, offering just the right dose of drama. Case in point: Vogue Shopping’s executive director Libby Jane Page likes to wear her short leather Agnelle pair during the day with a wristwatch atop, while Maya Stepper opted for opera gloves in black satin for Khaite’s spring 2026 show in September. (She paired them with a minimalist white slip dress and faux fur scarf—an ensemble that felt both winter-ready and black-tie chic.)
The Cape
A favorite amongst the A-list set, the cape acts as a chic, sculptural layer over a knit sweater or mini dresss. Dakota Johnson chose a satin version at the Zurich Film Festival, while Kaia Gerber brought theatrical drama to the Vanity Fair Oscar party with her sheer, floor-length cape.
The Colored Tights
Johnson is known for his forward-thinking styling—always ready to experiment and make the familiar feel new and unexpected. His favorite winter accessory to elevate a look? Tights—for day and night. “I tend to gravitate to a punchy red tight which feels right for the holidays but works just as well long after. I love a shimmer tight that catches the light when you walk, and you really can’t go wrong with an essential black sheer. I go back and forth between a 50 denier and a 20 denier,” he says.
The Brooch
From the runways to the hallowed halls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art for this year’s Costume Exhibit, the brooch has made a triumphant return to the zeitgeist as a way to add a personality-driven flourish to your look. Whether you gravitate toward vintage silver and black onyx, deep ruby hues, or whimsical interpretations like Loewe’s frog, the key is finding one that speaks to you. Pin it to the lapel of a jacket for an elegant finish, or use it to secure a scarf for that subtle, intentional detail. “The Vienna piece has become a favorite. I’ve been wearing it as a brooch over a scarf or turtleneck,” Ferentinos shares of her upcoming creation.
The Scarf Accent
Winter’s hero accessory is undoubtedly a scarf. Skinny or square, pashmina or silk, it’s an effortless way to inject a playful pop of color and pattern into any look. If you’re still a minimalist at heart, simple drape it over an all-black silhouette—the contrast will feel intentional, modern, and endlessly chic. Take inspiration from Vogue’s executive fashion director, Lisa Aiken, who created a cape-like effect with her striped ones from Lescarf during Paris Fashion week this past season.
The Cuff
Whether you opt for gold or silver, sleek lines or embellishment, the cuff brings a sculptural edge to any look. Style it with a white tee and classic denim for everyday ease, or pair it with a long-sleeve silk dress for your next holiday soirée. Either way, it’s versatile and effortlessly modern.
The Pillbox Hat
Seen above in one of her signature pillbox hats, Vergara, has an unmatched ability to unearth the most special and unforgettable vintage and contemporary finds—like this made to order silver sailor hat from Amy Lawrance’s atelier. (She shared previously with Vogue that she amassed over 70 in her collection.) When it comes to styling the hat, Vergara has a clear philosophy: “I love pairing a beautiful fabric hat with an equally beautiful coat, a turtleneck, and simpler pants like denim or trousers; I almost always add a brooch to a less ornate hat. It elevates everything instantly.”
