I love a good seasonal refresh, especially when it means digging out old accessories that suddenly feel very now again. However, not all of them are a hit. I’ll tell you about the trends I’ve seen around recently, and you decide if they’re any good. Summer 2025 is having a moment with fashion throwbacks, and these aren’t just Pinterest core ideas. They’ve actually got history.
1) Chunky Gold Jewellery
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In the ancient civilizations of the Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks, chunky gold hoops symbolized social status. And, as we all know, chunky jewellery became a statement pop culture thing in the late 90s and early 2000s. Fast forward to 2020, and we saw the return of chunky gold chains thanks to Bottega Veneta.
Lately, accessories have started becoming a statement piece, the kind of in-your-face jewellery is considered timeless. The reason I think chunky gold everything is back is Saint Laurent’s Fall/Winter 2025/26 collection, where almost every look had a statement gold earring.
How can you style chunky jewellery?
In terms of style, I adore a chunky gold necklace worn with a summer dress or a linen top with a square neck. My go-to accessory for office-to-dinner days is a chunky bracelet. It’s even better if it shows through the sleeves of an enormous blazer. And hoops, I’m pretty sure my simping has made it known already. If I had a rupee for every outfit I’ve saved with slicked-back hair and giant hoops, I’d be writing this from a beach in Capri. Try combining other shapes as well, such as a square chain necklace, an oval bangle, and dome studs.
2) Decorated Backpacks
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By backpacks, I don’t mean your fancy, branded big purses, I actually mean backpacks. The same ones from seventh grade. Backpacks became fashionable in the ’90s when ‘Clueless’ was the code. They aren’t making a comeback, technically, they’ll always be in. They are comfortable and, unlike handbags, do have enough space for everything you might need.
People are decorating their bags like they’re scrapbooks with ribbon keychains, crochet patches, rhinestones, and basically everything you can think of. If you don’t want to decorate them yourself, there’s always the option of putting on badges, stickers, and foulards.
3) Heeled Loafers
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Heeled loafers first stepped onto the scene in the 1950s, originally as penny loafers worn with school uniforms and trench coats. Then Gucci came in during the 1960s with their iconic horsebit version, and suddenly loafers weren’t just for bookworms anymore. They were fashionable. Over the decades, they’ve dipped in and out of trend cycles.
They’re making a comeback because they hit that sweet spot. They’re polished enough to look put-together but chunky and playful enough to feel modern.
Here’s how I’d wear them. Maybe try them with tailored shorts and a tucked-in tee for a clean, casual look. Or go with wide-leg trousers and a cropped button-up shirt. If you want to have fun with it, wear them with white crew socks and a mini skirt. They even look cute with flowy dresses, you can even add a blazer on top if that’s what you’re into. If you like preppy outfits but want something more fun than ballet flats, these are for you.
4) Reticules
Source- etro.com
It all started when Victorian women decided to get into slimmer dresses in the late 1800s. Now, before this dramatic change, they’d carry a pouch under their dresses. A new problem arose, ‘Where would they keep their essentials?’ That’s pretty much why these tiny handbags called reticules came to be. They were mostly handmade out of net, satin, silk, or velvet. I think that’s enough of a history lesson.
These impractical bags are making a return. In the spring-summer Milan Fashion Week, Etro brought them out with almost every look. Valentino has also created quite a bit of hype for these. They’re not trying to be everyday bags. They’re just here to sparkle.
5) Foulards
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It apparently originated in East Asia. The Europeans seemed quite intrigued by foulards, and they became neckwear for men and women. For years to follow, these became staple streetwear. Foulards are made primarily of silk but sometimes of a silk and cotton blend. They’ve got subtle patterns, tiny florals or solid colors.
I didn’t expect to love these, but here I am tying one around my ponytail like I’m a French film extra. These silky squares were a hit in the ’50s and ’60s, often worn by screen queens.
You can wear a foulard in so many ways, it’s kind of wild. Try folding it into a little neck scarf with a button-up shirt and those chunky gold hoops. Use it to tie up your ponytail or braid it into your hair. I’ve also seen people wrap them as headbands or knot them onto bags like a charm. And yes, guys can pull this off too. Just tuck one under a jacket or wrap it around the neck for a polished look. You can even twist it around your wrist or style it like a skinny tie if you’re feeling fancy.
So, what’s your take? Are these summer 2025 accessory trends worth the hype or totally overrated? Drop your favourite (or least favourite) in the comments. I’m curious to know which one you’d actually wear!
