The devil's in the details, goes the oft-heard adage. In writing, for example, a humble comma makes all the difference between "let's eat, grandma" and "let's eat grandma".
And so goes for near all else in life, not least when it comes to putting together an ensemble.
The right accessories can really make an outfit, either by complementing your clothes, or through carefully considered contrast. A plain white T-shirt and jeans can sing with just the addition of a statement necklace; an otherwise garish mishmash of colours can find its grounding in a pair of nude pumps.
Of course, that doesn't mean you need to run out and get every shade of every item out there. After all, what good is having a pair of rainbow-toned hoop earrings if they go well with only one or two things in your closet?
Texture and silhouette can make just as much of a visual statement as colour. Browns, beiges, blacks, whites and metallic tones also make for easier coordination. Scoping your accessories down to neutral tones that go big in other attributes can therefore give you more wear out of each piece.
Here, we've narrowed down some of our recent favourites; whether it's mixed materials, snazzy shapes or unique fabrications, here's proving you don't need big pops of colour to up your accessory game.
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Touches of metal
A bit of smooth, metallic shine can turn a simple, plain design into something elevated. Plus, having silver and gold motifs in your non-jewellery accessories can give more opportunities to tie together different parts of an outfit.
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Extending its Extra collection, Loro Piana has created a new drawstring backpack, with its logo engraved on a gold-toned padlock in the front. The drawstring closure gives the bag a soft, slightly scrunched texture; contrast stitching on a mixed leather-and-canvas construction furthers the visual play (other versions include one fully rendered black crocodile skin). Two adjustable shoulder straps allow the piece to be worn as either a backpack or a shoulder bag.
Over at Longchamp, the maison's shoes for summer 2025 have a seasonally appropriate breezy vibe, with designs that would fit right in on a grassy knoll by the countryside (or, for something closer to home, a picnic in the Botanical Gardens). The Longchamp x K Jacques sandals - created in collaboration with the heritage footwear brand - stand out for their bamboo toggles in silver-toned hardware. This detail, borrowed from the Le Roseau bag and also seen in glazed lambskin ballet pumps, adds a subtle touch of bling and a hint of geometric contrast against the brown central strap.
Semi-concealed details
The smaller details in a design may not elicit an immediate "wow" from viewers, but they can add a jolt of personality and fun in an ensemble. They're also good ice-breakers, once your conversation partner has noticed them.
Created in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, the eyewear in Brunello Cucinelli's spring/summer 2025 collection comprises 16 designs in rich browns, golds and blacks. Among our favourites in the collection are the Jarama titanium sunglasses, where a hand-engraved filigree motif on the wire core, visible through translucent acetate temples, gives a three-dimensional vibe. The brushed pattern on the front adds another hint of visual interest, while staying subtle enough to feel sophisticated.
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This year's Paula's Ibiza collection by Loewe is a celebration of the summer sun, with everything from pointillistic printed dresses to a mini bag shaped (and coloured) like a ripe tomato. There's no shortage of eye-grabbing designs in the collection, but we're most drawn to the ones we might see ourselves wearing on the regular. Chief among these is the new Ola bag, a woven-raffia creation. For an extra boost of cuteness, the bag has a chain interspersed with little "donut" rings.
Bling empire
A discussion on accessories wouldn't be complete without considering jewellery. While large statement pieces have their place in the world, understated designs can carry just as much character, using fine detail, clever design or interesting materials to draw the eye without screaming "look at me".
The latest refresh of Bvlgari's B.zero1 collection consists of eight new creations, including a three-piece set, two bracelets and three pairs of earrings. Interlocking chain elements give each piece a slight edginess while still staying sleek and refined. Magpies who prefer something just a little more flashy will love the bracelets in particular; these 18-carat white and rose gold models feature a full-pave diamond design that draws inspiration from the iconic Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
The Ripple set by Goldheart comes with a two-toned design, combining 22-carat white and yellow gold. Ridged details give each piece in the set - comprising a necklace, bracelet, ring and earrings - a unique texture and sense of fluidity. There's a casual ease to the pieces when worn individually, particularly in the bracelet; worn together, the set takes on an elevated air.
