From Tassels to Brooches to Pillbox Hats, Here’s How Fashion’s Creatives Elevate Their Party Looks

It’s a Tuesday morning in the Vogue offices, and shopping director Talia Abbas and I are giddy—buzzing, really—over all the accessories perfect for holiday dressing. What got the conversation started was Talia’s necklace: we were fawning over her Manà x Carina Nicklas pendant where a woven rope, reminiscent of one you might see at sleep away camp, holds a white shell with an oversized tassel at the end. It felt eclectic yet impossibly chic. She paired it—effortlessly, of course—with a leopard-print jacket, a black scarf top, and lace-trimmed silk trousers. It’s small, intentional details like these—the delicacy of lace, the nostalgia of a rope necklace, the movement of fringe—that bring an outfit to life and make it perfect for the allure of evening wear.

I was as excited to showcase my own obsession of the moment: a Lié Studio hair pin and a printed pashmina which I had picked up in Istanbul last summer. I had paired them with jeans and a sweater—two small accessories that made even my simple outfit feel elevated.

The Cool-Girl Party AccentsThe Elevated Hair Accessory

J.Crew ridged metal hair tie

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The Tassel Pendant

Julietta Geneve necklace

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The Soft Pouch

Le Sundial Lee shoulder bag

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This year, I’ve noticed—quietly at first, now undeniably—a return to a magpie sense of adornment; a renewed appreciation for pieces that feel as though they could have been plucked from my grandmother’s jewelry box—all precious, collected, and little nostalgic. My approach to accessorizing has always veered into the sentimental, seeking out items that feel earned, storied, or collectible versus brand new. I’m hardly alone. Many of fashion’s creatives are finding a similar pull in nostalgic references and heirloom designs: Art Deco-inspired brooches, sculptural cuffs, and decorative hair pins. As the season of celebration—and renewal—approaches, accessories that blend memory with contemporary attitude feel especially right.

The dialogue between old and new is what Juju Vera founder, Julia Ferentinos, has always sought to to explore. Her newly expanded jewelry collection now includes hair pins, a brooch, and a tassel clutch inspired by movies from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. “I want to design pieces that bring the glamour of those eras into my everyday life,” Ferentinos says. Her own best muse, Ferentinos says her styling approach is all about embracing opposites to achieve harmony: “I usually like to pair them against a monochromatic, contemporary wardrobe—silk shirts, tailored trousers, a simple black dress.”

Writer and Consider Yourself Cultured newsletter founder Jalil Johnson strives for a similar balance: “I think about tights the way I think about jewelry,” he explains of his bold yet effortless look. “Even though they’re usually the first thing you toss on, they finish an outfit. They add life to those days when you’re in head-to-toe black.” His color of choice? A red pair.

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 PinWhen 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.

Lié Studio

The Maude barrette

Juju Vera

Lana onyx hairpin

Gigi Burns

Frances enamel pin

J.Crew

ridged metal hair tie

The Pendant NecklaceThe 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.

Le Sundial

Venice opera necklace

Chan Luu

Pampille necklace

Manà

x Carina Nicklas necklace

Juju Vera

Riviera Petra necklace

The Evening ClutchFor 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.”

Le Sundial

Lee shoulder bag

Sophie Buhai

drawstring pouch

The Leather GlovesA 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.)

Agnelle

Kate leather gloves

Agnelle

Celia leather gloves

The CapeA 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.

Cos

double-faced long cape

Jalil Johnson adds a pop of red to his tonal brown look for a bold finish.

The Colored TightsJohnson 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.

Falke

Pure Matte 50 denier tights

Wolford

Tummy Control 20 denier tights

Maison Soksi

Mostarda 30 denier tights

Swedish Stockings

x Leandra Medine Cohen Roxana tights

Calzedonia

polka dot 20 denier tights

Capezio

Ultra Shimmery footed tight

Ferentinos dresses up a printed scarf by affixing a bejeweled and tasseled pin to it.

The BroochFrom 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.

Marlies Grace

Diamora brooch

Sonia Petroff

enamel brooch

The Scarf AccentWinter’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.

Chan Luu

beaded skinny scarf

Dries Van Noten

embellished scarf

Photo: Courtesy of Juju Vera

The CuffWhether 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.

Tiffany & Co.

x Elsa Peretti Bone cuff

The Pillbox HatSeen 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.”

Gigi Burns

Lauren flat cap

Gigi Burns

Laura pillbox hat