Accessories are often overlooked as a wardrobe category, but they can be a great way to express your personal style and take an outfit to the next level. They’re also a fairly inexpensive way to update your wardrobe without doing a complete closet overhaul, so let’s talk about accessory trends for 2022!
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But first! Before you add more accessories to your closet, I encourage you to take a few minutes to look through your accessories and pull out the things you no longer wear.
I’m not talking about the fine jewelry and designer items that were meaningful gifts and never really go out of style. But if you’re looking at a drawer full of bubble necklaces, long tassel pendants, infinity scarves, and large stone cluster earrings… it’s probably time to purge. #justsayin’
Just like having too many clothes can be overwhelming and make it hard to get dressed, having too many accessories can do the same thing. And if you haven’t updated your accessories in a while, they may be dragging you down or making you look dated.
Even though the idea of a dated wardrobe item is becoming a dated concept, we still want to avoid getting stuck in a certain time period. It’s easy to allow that to happen as we get older, so if you haven’t edited your wardrobe in a while, taking a look at your accessories is a great place to start.
Once you’ve made some space in your closet, here’s a list of wearable accessory trends that you may want to add to your wardrobe this fall.
Accessory Trends for Fall 2022
#1. Natural Stone & Beaded Jewelry
Minimalism is still the overarching theme with jewelry and accessories, but I’m starting to see more color coming back in the form of beaded jewelry and stone accents.
#2. Layered Looks
Layered necklace and delicate bracelet stacks are still trending this season, and there’s a lot of overlap with the beaded jewelry I mentioned in #1.
#3. Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl jewelry is having a moment right now, but look for unique shapes and combinations, or layer a string of pearls with a link necklace or pendant for an updated look.
#4. Chain Link & Paperclip Accents
Chain link necklaces and bracelets and paperclip-style accents are still going strong this season. These look great layered with the pearl or beaded pieces.
#5. Belts
Belts have never been out of style, but I’m definitely noticing them being worn a lot more this season. It makes sense, as we see more relaxed fit pants and tucked-in tops. Belts add a great finishing touch to a look to an outfit and help define the waist.
#6. Bold Eyewear
I love this trend for ladies over 40 because so many of us need reading glasses, and bold frames are a fun way to add personality to your outfits.
#7. Felt Hats
I’m not big into hats, but they’re another great way to elevate an outfit if they align with your personal style.
#8. Hair Accessories & Headbands
Ladies of a certain age should tread lightly with this one; I am personally not a fan, but I thought it was worth mentioning because it’s so big right now.
#9. Socks
Yes socks are a big accessory for fall 2022! You can really wear them with anything from sandals to sneakers, but it needs to align with your personal style. I plan to stick to more traditional sock + shoe pairings, but it’s fun to wear a print or unexpected color from time to time.
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24 Responses
I’m surprised with the headbands, you mentioned “ladies of a certain age should tread lightly.” I don’t find that to be the case at all. I’m over 50, and I wear them frequently. It’s a nice way to change up your hairdo. Just because you don’t do a certain trend, you shouldn’t assume others don’t, and that it’s not age appropriate.
I think Jo-Lynn is referring to the big puffy/knotted/bow headbands that are so popular right now. Headbands can always be worn, but for those over 30, they should wear less obvious, so they don’t look childish.
I gave my jewelry an overhaul at the beginning of the year! An area that has been a definite oversight for too long. Boy! did I find a lot of stuff I wasn’t wearing and that was outdated… it really freed up some space! Glad to see I have many of the on trend pieces and like the delicate style! Wish I lived where hats were worn a lot ( except winter ones of course) because I love a nice hat!
I will start by saying love your posts, always informative. Not sure if this is ok to post, if not take it down, but I wanted to share this with everyone who like me is blind as a bat and has to wear glasses on the daily, I discovered via a friend Pair Eyewear this year, can I just say game changer and a bit addictive. It’s an online store, you buy your frames and they fill your prescription lenses and then they have hundreds of magnetic toppers – so you can literally change your glasses daily, even sunglasses. I will say they do not look cheap or tacky at all and anyone looking at your glasses won’t even realize it’s the same pair, and extra bonus they take insurance.
Rita, Do they fill prescriptions for trifocals? Zennioptical is the only online eyeglasses store that I’ve found that does a good job on lenses with multiple vision requirements. Thanks!
Hey Rita, thanks for the info. Totally ok to post! 🙂
Great post!! I may try adding a belt to my wardrobe, for those times I wear a jacket. A belt gives such a nice finished look. Definitely agree on the jewelry purge. I have a jewelry armoire with drawers and have been waiting to pull out a few drawers & start purging. Like at night when we’re watching a game on TV! I really like the look of some of the pieces you show! But do I need them?? 🤔
I purged my jewelry during covid. Boy, did it need it. I was surprised the longer necklaces, even one with a tassel that I had. They just looked so dated. I have very little jewelry now. I still could purge some larger earrings, as I usually wear studs now…..I have short hair, but I like some and I just know they will be back in soon. 🙂
Ok are we wearing socks with open shoes like loafers now? I’ve seen it on 20 year old models but wasn’t sure it was ok for my age haha. Please show us how to do this! My feet are ALWAYS cold, so I could be all over this trend.
Yeah, it’s definitely a vibe… not sure it’s mine. 🙂
For me, jewelry is what makes my outfit- and the shoes, of course! I feel naked without earrings and keep a spare pair in the car “just in case”. I even wear earrings swimming laps– Hey Harper makes great pieces you can sleep in, and wear in the shower and the pool. I tend to wear less trendy stuff and have an eclectic collection. I love museum copies of original pieces and I’ve worn natural stone stacked bracelets for many years- check out Riverstone jewelry if you like handmade natural stone pieces. I’m not sure how I feel about belts. As I age, I’ve lost my waist. (Where did it go? I weigh the same as I did 15 years ago.) I like the look of a belt on others but I worry about bringing attention to my least favorite asset.
Yeah, and they aren’t for everyone. I have heard stylists suggest apple body types not wear them? I think it depends on the outfit, though.
What a good post! While I am one of those ladies that does not wear hats, oh how I wish I liked them on me because they add such an interesting touch to an outfit. I do need to thin out some of my jewelry, however, I just can’t part with the necklaces that Larry made or earrings that belonged to my mom. Maybe I can store them in a plastic container to free up space without totally getting rid of them. I like layered necklaces, but I don’t like how twisted they get while wearing them. It looks like belts of numerous widths are on trend, which I like. Have a great day!
Oh I would definitely not part with those pieces! If there are some you don’t currently wear, you could pack them away somewhere to keep them in nice condition. But they sound too special to get rid of.
Great post Jo-Lynne! I love accessories! I’m interested in two things in particular. Can you show us how to wear socks with which shoes and pants! Seems silly but it’s all in the details right? I’d also love for you to expand on the idea of dated wardrobes being a dated concept. Is this because of a return to a more classic wardrobe; or is that anything seems to go right now; or is this a trend of consciousness of waste and the environment. Perhaps it’s a combination or none of those things, but I’m interested in more if your thoughts on this and how it will effect styles. Thank you and blessings! Krista
I agree with Krista; I too struggle with the socks/ shoes scenario especially with fashion sneakers and living in a colder climate. Slightly off topic, are faux leather leggings still current or on the way out? I am usually not an early adopter of trends so by the time I get on board, the trend usually has passed! Thanks for your posts. They are always helpful.
I think it’s because everything has pretty much been done before, and it’s all out there right now, and because there is so much more focus on personal style and sustainability. This post is really interesting: https://youlookfab.com/2020/08/05/dated-wardrobe-items-a-dated-concept/
This article was interesting. So we can keep our skinny jean? LOL
Of course you can, lol! You should wear what you like.
I need to purge (again) my statement jewelry collection. I did it once, three years ago when I first retired and that style was still considered “in”, but honestly, that barely made a dent in the volume I had amassed. Sadly, I haven’t worn any of those remaining pieces in the past three years (they just look/feel so out of style to me now). I since have purchased trending pieces I can layer/stack for a modern look. I just keep thinking “watch, as soon as I get rid of the chunky/beaded/pendant statement stuff, it’ll swing around to be on trend again!”. And, I prefer to try selling it, but if it’s not trending, who’s likely to buy it?
Yeah, but they usually come back around in a different iteration. Except for the ones you love, or the ones with sentimental value, I would pass on the ones you no longer wear.
Would you say guitar straps on your handbag are out? Trying to decide if I want to invest in a couple for the seasons.
I don’t think so, I still see lots of fun bag straps out there.
I like your new website. Very sleek and easy to navigate.