Eleanor Douglas-Meyers
If it feels like outfits are getting simpler but somehow still looking more styled than ever, you are not imagining it. The shift is happening in the details. Right now, accessories are not just finishing touches. They are the entire moment.
Across international fashion weeks and closer to home in South Africa, the message is consistent. Accessories are carrying looks in a way that feels intentional, expressive and, importantly, accessible.
The Global Runways Made It Clear
At Paris Fashion Week, Saint Laurent leaned into strong silhouettes paired with bold earrings and sharp belts. The clothes were clean, almost restrained, which made the accessories feel louder.
Milan Fashion Week followed suit, with brands like Versace and Prada layering jewellery in a way that felt deliberate rather than excessive. Think stacked bangles, mixed metals and necklaces worn all at once, but styled with precision.
Even at New York Fashion Week, where street style often drives the narrative, it was the extras doing the heavy lifting. Oversized sunglasses, sculptural bags and belts that completely changed the shape of an outfit.
The pattern is clear. Designers are simplifying garments and letting accessories do the storytelling.
South African Fashion Is Right There Too
This is not just a global shift. Locally, the same energy is coming through.
At South African Fashion Week and Africa Fashion Week Johannesburg, designers are leaning into accessories as part of the full look rather than an afterthought. Beaded details, bold jewellery and standout bags are being styled as central elements.
Even at Eastern Cape Fashion Week, particularly at the recent POP UP edition in Gqeberha, the strongest runway moments were not always about the garments alone. Accessories added texture, movement and identity to collections, often grounding more experimental pieces in something wearable.
There is also a distinctly South African approach to this trend. It feels more personal. Accessories are not just aesthetic, they carry culture, craft and individuality.
Why This Trend Is Taking Off
There is a reason this shift is resonating beyond the runway.
Accessories are:
- More affordable than full wardrobe overhauls
- Easier to mix into what you already own
- A way to personalise even the simplest outfit
In a time where people are more conscious about spending and sustainability, it makes sense. You can repeat outfits, but change the story every time with different accessories.
How to Tap Into It Without Overthinking It
You do not need a runway budget to get this right.
Start here:
- Pick one statement piece and build around it
- Layer jewellery, but keep it intentional
- Use belts to reshape silhouettes
- Let bags and sunglasses carry colour or structure
The key is balance. If your outfit is simple, your accessories can be louder. If your outfit already has a lot going on, scale it back.
Why This Matters for Nelson Mandela Bay
For a city like ours, where style is often practical and lifestyle-driven, this trend fits perfectly. It allows you to elevate everyday outfits without needing a full wardrobe refresh.
It also opens the door for supporting local designers and makers, especially those working in jewellery and accessories, which is where a lot of creative experimentation is happening right now.
Accessories are no longer an afterthought. Right now, they are the outfit.
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