Whether it’s The Row’s Margaux bag, Miu Miu’s New Balance 530SLs, or Alaïa’s mesh flats, 2024’s most in-demand items prove how footwear, bags and accessories continue to dominate the fashion landscape. In a year otherwise dominated by slowed spending and price hikes, according to the Lyst Index, seven items out of the top ten most searched styles of Q2 2024, were accessories, including Coach’s Tabby bag, Dries Van Noten’s suede sneakers, and COS’s fisherman sandals.
However, the most popular product was the On x Loewe Cloudtilt 2.0 sneakers which reported a 308% spike in searches following its release, followed by the Adidas SL720G sneaker. On and Adidas are two brands managing to defy the consumer spending lag, with Adidas recently reporting strong third-quarter results, with full-year operating profit estimated to reach around US 1.307 billion, up on 2023’s 1.08 billion. This is largely thanks to its price point that’s captured the youth market, culturally-focused collaborations from Bad Bunny to Korn, and Wales Bonner, and the continuous popularity of retro sneakers like the Samba. On's total net sales for Q2 reached US 587 million, a growth of 20.9% year-on-year, due in part to its high cultural relevance with the Loewe collaboration as well as long-term Zendaya partnership.
While sneakers at accessible prices persist in selling out, price increases on bags have seemingly become a necessity for top luxury houses, who have brought in significant hikes on their most familiar lines. Today’s luxury prices are on average 54% higher than before Covid according to HSBC; a medium Lady Dior bag now retails for over $6,000, up 76% from 2019, and Chanel’s medium Classic Flap bag is upwards of $10,000, a 91% increase which makes it more expensive than Hermès’ Mini Kelly or Birkin styles. Meanwhile, the Louis Vuitton Speedy price has increased by 100%. Will it work?
Despite economic headwinds, footwear, bags, and jewelry remain the lifeblood of many luxury brands that show at Fashion Week. Their longevity, often entry-level accessibility, and social status take them far beyond the luxury customer, making them very profitable and desirable categories. After all, nothing gets the ‘it’ label in the same way a cult accessory does.
So, what bag, shoe, or revival piece made the grade this Spring Summer 2025 season?
It was bags on bags across the fashion capitals, with the apparel trends of individuality and modern bohemia seeping into accessories. Several brands styled and layered bags to be held in one hand, say, a glitzy purse and a sleek carry-all to satisfy completely different occasions, as other houses continued to adopt keyrings and bag charms as a means of personalization. Meanwhile, Miu Miu bags have increased +161% in popularity from last year according to a trend analysis, which also claims suede shoulder bags are up 185%—intel that pertains to the boho and western influences we’ve seen on the runways. Elsewhere, hot off the heels of Balenciaga’s Hollywood-approved Rodeo Bag released in February, came a slew of slouchy, soft, oversized bags for the commuting girl, with office-ready and elevated briefcase styles a mainstay on the SS25 runways, from Stella McCartney, Jil Sander, and Bottega Veneta to name a few.
As for footwear, comfort was key with round-toe ballerinas, mid and sculpturally-heeled slingbacks, pumps and pointed mules. Vinyl pumps with plexiglass heels and see-through panels were a recurring look, while towering platforms continued a steady appearance, especially at Chanel in brogue form. Sandals, including thong styles, showcased straps that wrapped around the ankle gladiator-style up to the knee. Corset-inspired lacing adorned retro sneakers, as well as ankle boots. Playful heels, shaped like spheres and spirals, added a touch of personality to otherwise minimalist designs. Meanwhile, Miu Miu’s peep toe pump and long sock styling is set to be high on the influencer list, while Prada brought back key footwear from the archives including the stacked espadrille and the repost-worthy flame heel.
Mesh footwear still going strong at Simone Rocha and Dries Van Noten in dainty ballet-slipper iterations as well as brogues, similarly seen at Victoria Beckham. The choice continued at Mugler and at Courrèges, where the circular shape of the mesh heels paralleled the shapes in the collection. Sports played a vital role in influencing footwear and sunglasses decisions with enlarged goggles or ski-like eyewear, pool-side ready flip flops, and boxer-style lace-up sneakers.
Here, we take a look at Style Arcade's top 10 accessories trends of the Spring Summer 2025.
Oversized shopper
The bigger, the better for today’s bag aficionado. The runways were brimming with soft and slouchy mega bags, ideal for offsetting minimal workwear designs or packing with the essentials for a day on the road. Proenza Schouler’s wide shoppers matched maritime stripes and trenches, Jil Sander tucked briefcase styles under the arm and partially unzipped, and Stella McCartney’s were almost pillow-like in their size and slouch with after-dark options equally inviting.
Lucky charm
This trend has been gaining momentum for a little while now, and looks to hit full swing this coming spring, as according to Pinterest, searches for bag charms are up 274% year-on-year, and antique brooches are up 27%. Cutesy, jangly charms hung from handbags and totes from Versace to Coperni, with Chloé leaning into its chintzy bohemian aesthetic, and Fendi matching plush floral sprigs with impossibly soft robes.
Two’s company
For the woman who has somewhere to be, and then somewhere else to be, this common styling choice made commuting look a lot more fun. The 9-9 of the glitzy evening bag and the sleek carry-all was a smart choice for brands to promote not one, but two bags with one look. The eclectic styling at Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu and Valentino was perfect for two bags to sit comfortably together, and the ultimate viral ‘extra bag’ of course, was the leather ‘plastic’ grocery bag seen at Bottega Veneta.
Sneaker update
Going up? High-high-top sneakers were on obvious display across fashion month with almost boot-like levels of lace-up appearing in the front row and on the runway at Stella McCartney, as part of Ann Demeulemeester’s gothic romance and Dior’s Olympic goddesses. Just above ankle height at Loewe in bold color combinations, and Chloé in soft earthy tones. Miu Miu’s low-down sneakers were another story entirely in a minimal flat shape and appealing sporty colour palettes.
See-through shoes
It seems the last rattle of Barbie-core has made its way into the perspex and vinyl shoe comeback. Whether at the sole and heel, or covering the toes, clear accents and PVC were the dominant choices for outgoing footwear this season. Chloé chose pink perspex for jelly sandals and their signature wedge-clog, Versace and Dries Van Noten focused on the heel, while Victoria Beckham went modern Cinderella.
Elevated flip flop
The flip-flop split-toe silhouette continued to show up across the cities, and if Alaia’s doing it — then new season footwear has spoken. Elevated to ballerina styles, or with sculptural heels and chunky leather soles, the humble flip flop got the high fashion treatment in endlessly wearable iterations from Isabel Marant, to Hermès, Proenza Schouler and Simone Rocha.
Opulent jewelry
To complement the new wave of romantic bohemian blouses, dresses, gowns and bloomers, comes opulent, future-vintage jewelry to make a serious statement. Chunky cuffs and bangles are gaining popularity, as seen at Saint Laurent and Miu Miu, while heavy gold and jeweled necklaces and chokers were prominent at Acne, Valentino and Schiaparelli.
Belt stacking
Double-belting and belt stacking continue the push to hit the mainstream, this season with a little more flair than last. Hip chains, woven styles, and utility belts had an eclectic edge, providing the perfect excuse to dial up minimal styling. Mismatched materials in scarf ties, charms and bejeweled belts helped cement this trend with its apparel counterparts.
Sports science
Sci-fi, sporty and fit for a testing lab, the range of goggle-shaped and oversized sunglasses took hold of the SS25 runways with something for every visage. Courrèges’ moody wrap-arounds removed any signs of eras gone by with futuristic finishes, while Dior made a new case for the ski-style goggle. Perhaps the most outlandish was the bug-like, vertically-inclined lenses at Prada not for the faint of heart—and that’s the point.
Sunset tint
Although not new to the trend cycle, yellow and orange lenses came through this season in sportier styles, from Alexander McQueen, Tory Burch and Comme de Garçons. It was the business end for Saint Laurent, whose oversized frames with warm-toned lenses took on the sensibilities of the brand’s founder.
Main image credit: Getty/Edward Berthelot
