Fall 2025 fashion accessories: must-have trends you can’t miss

Who said a wool sweater is just protection against the cold, to be worn in a traditional way? Autumn 2025 runways flipped the concept: cardigans and pullovers, preferably oversized, have become full-fledged style accessories. And we’re not talking about practical layering but creative transformation. On the runways, from Balenciaga to Hermès, from Tory Burch to Brandon Maxwell, sweaters stopped being “worn” in the conventional sense and started to inhabit looks in surprising ways: draped over shoulders like aristocratic capes, tied at the waist like belts, wrapped around the neck instead of scarves, or carried in hand like improvised clutches. Thus, the sweater becomes multifaceted. Maria McManus wraps a chunky knit top around the waist to add depth to a monochrome outfit; at Coach and Adeam, the cardigan is worn almost like a bag; at Balenciaga, the hoodie transforms into an urban sarong. Adding knitwear to an outfit means playing with volumes, layering fearlessly, and transforming a basic garment into a style statement. It proves that today, fashion loves to upend rules and reassign functions. A sweater is no longer just a sweater but a signal of stylistic awareness.

XXL belts: the triumph of belted-up

After a discreet comeback in 2024, autumn 2025 crowns oversized belts as absolute protagonists, transforming them from functional accessories into theatrical details. It’s no longer about cinching the waist with a practical gesture but about sculpting the silhouette. At Schiaparelli, Daniel Roseberry opted for triple layers wrapping the waist, creating surrealist structures that seemed like homages to the Wild West and dreamlike fantasy. Christopher Esber presented leather spirals coiling around the torso like snakes, while Balmain and Gucci focused on maxi buckles and corset belts capable of rewriting the waistline. Isabel Marant and Jil Sander went further, multiplying thin belts and weaving them together like jewelry. Whether in leather, metal, technical fabric, or even chains, this season’s belts are not designed to go unnoticed. They’re statement pieces, meant to be worn over voluminous coats, tailored blazers, or flowing dresses. And the “belted-up” trend is democratic, working both for lovers of baroque opulence and for those who just want a bold touch to break up a minimalist look.

Shaggy accessories: fur reinvented

Autumn/Winter 2025 has a soft side, expressed through shaggy accessories. Fur, real or faux, is reinvented in a playful way, becoming more of an accessory than a garment. No longer just coats, but focused details that bring unexpected softness and warmth to everyday looks and elevate even the simplest outfit. On the runways, Prada introduced chocolate-colored fur necklaces contrasted with neon dresses; Dior turned stoles and shawls into aristocratic touches; Chloé and Miu Miu declared the furry stole the must-have accessory of the upcoming cold months. There were also chapka hats, oversized scarves, and even handbags entirely covered in fur. The beauty of faux-fur accessories is their versatility: one furry detail can turn a casual look into something surprising. For example, Etro played with oversized hunter hats, Marni mixed textures and colors eccentrically, while Valentino and Chanel introduced bouclé finishes that look almost like couture toys. An ironic yet sophisticated trend to face the new season.

The grammar of accessories

A squishy bag tucked under the arm, a cardigan tied at the waist, a corset belt over a coat, or a furry stole draped over the shoulders: each of these gestures tells a story of personality, of inhabiting one’s own time. And in an era where minimalism seems to be giving way to a more playful and tactile luxury, fashion invites us not to fear daring. Because 2025 doesn’t reward those who follow the rules but those who can bend them, knot them, layer them. Just like its accessories. Are we ready to do it?