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

And then there’s Mariana Vergara, Mercy’s founder, cist vintage, whose decades-long love affair with pillbox hats has shaped her style. “I’ve always loved accessories that have character and presence. It has such a 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 significance. Your signature could be a hairpin, brooch, a pillbox hat, or a flash of an unexpected color. Whatever it is, let it be something that clearly, unequivocally feels to you. After all, party dressing thrives on personality. Those little expressions that catch the eye and spark conversation, and in the edit below, that’s what we talk about.

hair pin

When you’re on three days of not washing your hair, nothing does more to make you feel put together than a cute clip-in. This prompted Amelie Mosgaard, co-founder of Le Studio, to introduce claw clips and barrettes made from sustainable Italian acetate into the accessory line-up: “On busy mornings or bad hair days, I brush my hair, clip it with a Maude barrette, and in 30 seconds I have a low pony. The possibilities are truly endless. Jojo Vera’s interpretation, which resembles hair jewelry. keeps, especially for the evening with its onyx-encrusted jewellery.

Pendant necklace

The pendant necklace holds a special place in our jewelry boxes for making an effortless statement with maximum impact. Tasseled and fringed iterations have dominated the market of late, and even the simplest silhouettes are offered a touch of movement and texture. Drop one over a silk blouse, or let it ring an elegant dress for black-tie moments.

Evening cliché

For any given night, evening clutch is non-negotiable. Today’s iteration offers a modern twist on the classic silhouette. Talia Abbas, Vogue shopping director, loves tassel clutches, especially vintage ones: “I went down a rabbit hole looking for a vintage tasseled Bottega clutch after seeing a red one at a bazaar. I haven’t featured a black one in like a year. I get asked about it all the time, it’s the ultimate for any evening look.

Leather gloves

A winter accessory that instantly channels Old Hollywood glamour, from gloves, sleek leather ensembles to full-length styles, one of the easiest ways to inject elegance into a look. Perfect for the upscale cool girl, they transition effortlessly from day to night, and offer just the right dose of drama. For example: Vogue shopping executive director Libby Jean Page likes to wear her tiny leather Agnel pair with a wristwatch during the day, while Maya Stepper opted for opera gloves in black satin for Khaite’s spring 2026 show in September. (She paired them with a minimal white slip dress and faux fur scarf.

Cap

A favorite in the A-list set, the cape works as a chic, sculptural layer over a knitted sweater or mini dress. Dakota Johnson opted for a satin version at the Zurich Film Festival, while Kia Gerber brought theater drama with her sheer, floor-length cape at the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

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

Colorful tights

Johnson is known for his forward-thinking style—always willing to experiment and make the familiar feel new and unexpected. Her favorite winter accessories to elevate a look? Tights – for day and night. “I gravitate toward a perfect red that feels right for the holidays but also works with it. I love a glossy finish that catches the light as you walk, and you really can’t go wrong with an essential black. I go back and forth between 50 Deny and 20 Deny.”

Ferentinos has created a printed scarf by attaching a beige veil and tasseled pin to it.

Brooch

From the runway to the hallowed halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for this year’s Couture Show, the brooch has made a triumphant return to the zeitgeist as a way to add a personality-driven flourish to your look. Whether you’re drawn to vintage silver and black onyx, deep ruby ​​hues, or whimsical interpretations like Luau’s frog, the key is finding something that speaks to you. Pin it to a jacket lapel for an elegant finish, or use it to secure a scarf for that subtle, deliberate detail. “The Vienna piece has become a favorite. I wear it as a brooch over a scarf or turtleneck,” Frantinos shares of her upcoming creation.

Scarf accent

The hero accessory of winter is undoubtedly the scarf. Skinny or square, pashmina or silk, it’s an easy way to inject a playful pop of color and pattern into any look. If you’re still a minimalist at heart, layer it with simple colors on a black silhouette—the contrast will feel deliberate, modern, and endlessly chic. Take inspiration from of Vogue Executive fashion director, Lisa Aiken, who created a cape-like effect with her striped lace scarf during Paris Fashion Week last season.

Photo: Courtesy of Jojo Vera

Cuff

Whether you choose gold or silver, sleek lines or jewels, 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 soiree. Nevertheless, it is versatile and easily modernized.

Pillbox hat

Seen in one of his signature pillbox hats, Vergara has an unparalleled ability to unearth the most special and unforgettable vintage and contemporary finds. (She had previously shared with him Vogue (that she amassed more than 70 in her collection.) When it comes to hat styling, Vergara has a clear philosophy: “I like to pair a beautiful fabric hat with an equally beautiful coat, a turtleneck, and easy pants like denim or trousers. I almost always add a brooch to a low-jewellery hat. It makes everything pop.”