Ready-to-wear gets a lot of airtime here at Who What Wear, but we cannot forget the importance of a good accessory. Strategic add-ons take a look from good to great and make the difference between wearing an outfit and styling one. This brings me to today’s task: diving into the accessories set to define spring 2024.
There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to accessories this season, even more so than usual. In 2024, personality pieces are leading the trend game, and hats, statement jewelry items, opera gloves, hosiery, and sculptural belts are all showing out, first on the runways and now in the real world. And then comes the shoe and handbag categories, where Prada, The Row, Chanel, and Alaïa currently have the upper hand on their high-fashion competitors. Out of thousands of options, find out which 29 accessories are already dominating the spring season ahead.
Massimo Dutti
Tortoiseshell Effect Sunglasses
If you’ve been lusting over Miu Miu’s geek-chic sunglasses and eyewear but can’t quite afford a pair at the moment, this under-$150 pair in a similar shape from Massimo Dutti deserves your attention.
Reformation
Oversized Patrizia Bowling Bag
TikTok told me that this Reformation bag, called the Patrizia Bowling Bag, is a stellar alt for The Row’s lauded Margaux bag.
mango
Link Chain Necklace
It’s hard to believe that bottle-cap necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are trending right now, no matter how elevated they are, but it’s true. Their return is, in large part, due to Sabato De Sarno’s Gucci jewelry offering. Dive into the trend for a great price with this gold choker-length option from Mango.
Nordstrom
Carolina Slide Sandal
France Luxe
Skinny Headband
Look on Pinterest and you’ll find a slew of vintage Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy street style photos, many of which feature her signature tortoiseshell headband. This isn’t her exact one—you’ll have to visit C.O. Bigelow in Manhattan—but it’s a great alt that’s crafted in France.
calzedonia
Fan Pattern Mesh Tights
Unexpected tights are a big trend for spring, with lace styles like these being among a slew of buzzy options.
There’s arguably no pair of shoes more sought after this spring than these white Mary Jane flats from Chanel. They’re extremely hard to get your hands on but are worth it once you do.
ZARA
Snail Shell Earrings
If you thought shell jewelry was big two months ago, wait until spring and summer actually arrive. It’s going to be everywhere.
Massimo Dutti
Leather Cord Belt With Knot Detail
If your outfit’s erring on the boring side, tie on this red cord belt. Whether you’re in jeans or a maxi dress, it’ll add that necessary bit of specialness.
J.Crew
Como Woven Straw Tote
Let this chic woven straw bag accompany you on every warm-weather activity you embark on this spring, whether it’s a beach vacation or a casual park happy hour.
Pre-Owned Cartier
Bagnoire 1920 White-Gold Quartz
The Bagnoire is, no doubt, the women’s luxury watch of the year. While many are going for Cartier’s classic gold version, this pre-owned white-gold alt feels even more elegant to me.
Massimo Dutti
Teardrop Brooch
For those chillier spring days when you’re most likely donning your coat or jacket like it’s the entire outfit, throw a brooch like this teardrop-shaped Massimo Dutti option on one of the lapels. It dresses up any piece of outerwear and reminds everyone around you that you know exactly what’s happening in fashion. After all, brooches and pins were featured in Tory Burch’s, Jil Sander’s, and Miu Miu’s latest runway collections, and those are just the highlight shows.
J.Crew
Edie Structured Bag in Italian Leather
This on-sale J.Crew bag is too good to pass up. Not only has it already sold out once, but it’s also very reminiscent of the Prada bag that Bessette-Kennedy frequently wore in the ’90s, so much so that the Milanese brand ended up rereleasing it.
It’s a bit wild, I know, but flip-flops are happening right now, especially when they’re styled with suiting. (See Bally’s F/W 24 collection for styling inspiration.) The Row’s simple option is a fan favorite, but this more affordable take from Zara is just as good and a touch more unique thanks to its burgundy, velvet exterior.
Aritzia
Essential Solid Brass Leather Belt
Everyone, listen up. If you add one item from this list to your wardrobe, let it be this solid brass leather belt from Aritzia. I’ve tried a lot of belts in my day, and after adding this exact one to my wardrobe, I’m convinced that I don’t need a single other classic option ever again. It’s a forever accessory, and it only costs $68.
You don’t have to pay $100+ for a great pair of statement chunky earrings. Trust me—I’ve tried both the pricey kind and the more affordable alts, and I always end up grabbing for pairs like these, which are $9 from H&M.
Believe me when I say that cylindrical mini bags like this Mango style will be everywhere as we move into spring and summer (and fall and winter too).
Prada
Modellerie Satin Mule
The shoes that sparked the satin-heel trend takes up every three photos in my Instagram feed at the moment. These Prada mules are immediate outfit-makers, whether you buy a classic black or brown pair or something a little louder like orange or green.
ESENSHEL
The Cuff Woven Cloche
If there’s one item that every fashion person is on a quest to find right now, it’s a cool, elegant hat—be it an Altuzarra-esque pillbox style or a swim cap–like option à la designs from Fforme, Saint Laurent, and Prada in recent seasons. I stumbled upon a few can’t-miss pieces from Esenshel at Nordstrom and fell in love immediately.
The bigger the sunglasses are this spring, the better. Don’t be afraid to wear your eyewear like a shield, whether you opt for a cat-eye style like these or something more aviator-esque.
Pandora
Sparkling Tennis Bracelet
With Zendaya‘s new Luca Guadagnino film Challengers bringing a resurgence of tenniscore, people’s interest in tennis bracelets is sure to follow.
JENNIFER BEHR
Leontyne Ruched Stretch-Tulle Gloves
If you never left the house this winter without your long leather gloves, you’ll love this warm-weather alternative from Jennifer Behr. They’re lightweight but pack the same high-fashion punch that your favorite leather gloves do.
Khaite
Antique Gold Hand Leather Belt
This belt is no small investment, but if you do decide to go big in the accessory department for spring, this is the kind of buy that will put in long hours for your outfits, making each of them stand out no matter who you’re standing next to or what you pair with it.
Jeffrey Campbell
Jellz Slip-On
Cool and casual net flats like this Jeffrey Campbell pair were seen at The Row and Proenza Schouler’s spring/summer 2024 shows, setting them up for big success when boot season soon ends and open-toe time kicks off.
ALAïA
Le Teckel Small Shoulder Bag in Leather
If the swan look appeals to you, Alaïa’s Le Teckel Bag is the purse to invest in. It’s sleek, it’s elegant, and it’ll pair perfectly with an A-line skirt and a simple cashmere sweater all spring long.
calzedonia
50 Denier Total Comfort Soft Touch Tights
If you kept scrolling, these $15 white tights are your reward. After spotting them on recent runways at Chanel and Altuzarra and in countless editorials, I’m convinced that opaque, white hosiery will replace the red-tights trend in no time.
ZARA
Mini Heeled Black Leather Flats
With how much these Zara kitten heels have been brought up to me in the last month, you’d think they were part of a major paid ad campaign. But no, they’re really just that versatile, comfortable, and chic.
LELET NY
Glossy Top Knot Pin
Not only does this Lelet hair pin look chic, but it also allows you to tie up your hair without damaging it. Double win.
THE ROW
Idaho XL Leather Tote
Though you could do much worse than the canvas Idaho tote from The Row, this luxurious brown leather option is simply stunning. Talk about a work-bag upgrade.