Finishing Touches: XXL Boots, Opera Gloves, Bows and Big Necklaces

This season, the finishing touches are doing a lot of the work. Oversized over-the-knee boots, long leather gloves, bows, brooches and chunky necklaces all featured across the Autumn/Winter 2026 shows. Accessories are also the cheapest way to update what you already own, which makes this the most practical trend story of the season.

What the runways showed

XXL boots. Harper's Bazaar UK says the new boots are over-the-knee and supersized. Chloé paired them with leather trousers and whimsical dresses, Max Mara with camel coats, and at Stella McCartney and Mugler the boots almost replaced trousers. Trendalytics also lists over-the-knee boots among the season's key accessories, alongside oversized sunglasses, stockings and T-strap pumps.

Opera gloves. Long gloves, often in black or brown leather, appeared at Max Mara, Michael Kors, Boss, Balenciaga and Mugler, according to Harper's Bazaar UK, which notes they were worn in the daytime too, for example over roll-neck jumpers. Vogue's Copenhagen report even flagged a styling idea it called "the glove tuck", described as a step beyond the belted coat.

Bows and brooches. Harper's Bazaar UK calls bow details "almost ubiquitous", from Erdem's full skirts to Simone Rocha's ribbon dresses. Coveteur highlights bigger statement pins, floral appliqués and rosettes at Khaite, Simone Rocha, Dior and Chanel. Pinterest's 2026 predictions also included a trend called "Brooched", with men adding vintage pins and brooches to their outfits.

Big necklaces and open bags. Harper's describes oversized gold chains and big beads at houses including Saint Laurent, Valentino, Chanel and Bottega Veneta. Coveteur adds "open bags", from Chanel flap bags to Loewe's Amazona, as the season's leading bag shape. And Vogue's Copenhagen report notes berets, trapper hats and pillbox hats.

Where to start

Pick one category, not all of them. If you need new winter boots anyway, choose a taller, roomier shape. If your coat and knitwear are fine, a brooch or a bold necklace refreshes them. Secondhand and vintage shops are especially good for brooches, gloves and costume jewellery, where older pieces often have more character than new ones.

Menswear note

The brooch trend crosses over neatly. A small vintage pin on a coat lapel or a knit is an easy way for anyone to try it, as Pinterest's "Brooched" prediction suggests.

Sources

1. Harper's Bazaar UK, "The only 9 autumn/winter 2026 fashion trends that you need to know" (22 Sep 2026): https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/a73653819/autumn-winter-2026-trends/
2. Trendalytics, "Womenswear Fall/Winter 2026 Trend Report": https://trendalytics.co/insights/womenswear-fall-winter-2026-trend-report
3. Vogue, "All the Trends and Styling Tips From the Fall 2026 Copenhagen Shows" (6 Feb 2026): https://www.vogue.com/article/all-the-trends-and-styling-tips-from-the-fall-2026-copenhagen-shows
4. Coveteur, Fall/Winter 2026 runway trends report by Ella O'Keeffe (20 Mar 2026): https://coveteur.com/fall-winter-2026-runway-trends
5. Pinterest Newsroom, "Pinterest Predicts: 21 trends for 2026" (9 Dec 2025): https://newsroom.pinterest.com/news/pinterest-predicts-nonconformity-self-preservation-and-escapism-drive-21-trends-for-2026/

Designer and brand names are mentioned because they appeared in the collections covered by these reports. Wardrobe Compass has no commercial relationship with them.