These 6 Luxury Accessories Are Truly Iconic and Always in Fashion

Picture the scene: you're getting ready on a bright, sunny, summer morning and there is nothing but blue skies and a balmy breeze in store. In this dream scenario, we're all likely to reach for the usual failsafe items—the tank top, a pair of linen trousers or a simple white cotton dress—but all that is required to take these sturdy staples to fashionable new heights are the right accessories; the shoes, the bags, the jewellery, and of course, the sunglasses.

Whether you're jetting off to a far-flung beach to bury your toes in the sand or spending summer in the city picnicking in the park, it's time to give our warm-weather wardrobes some dedicated thought. After six long months of layering up in knits and scarves with a "just in case" umbrella tucked under our arms, it's time to celebrate the joy of stripping off. And as our layers get lighter, our accessories hold more weight as the real stars of the show. The right accessories can transform even the simplest outfit from good to great, and when shopping for these pieces, designer brands are often our first port of call. Not only can you guarantee head-turning style, but you also know that premium quality will last a lifetime, making designer accessories one of the smartest investments you can make.

So, should you be in the midst of summer outfit planning and looking for some no-regret buys you'll keep forever, we've assembled a list of the summer accessories so iconic they'll stand the test of time. From the best-selling basket bag to the shoes so legendary they practically have a waiting list, keep scrolling to see the six best luxury summer accessories that get the fashion-editor stamp of approval. The forecast? Chic styles ahead.

If we were to credit any brand with singlehandedly bringing the basket bag up to date, the title deservedly goes to Loewe. Though raffia bags used to be relegated to the beach, only to be tucked away at the back of the wardrobe with our swimsuits as soon as we unpacked our suitcase, now you can expect to see baskets of all weaves and colours proudly carried around the city too, most likely bearing Loewe's embossed logo. Though the brand's heritage goes all the way back to 19th-century Spain, Jonathan Anderson's penchant for meticulously crafted accessories makes traditional artisanal methods feel strikingly modern. And, if the reissue of some of Loewe's best-selling styles like the Paseo, Pebble and Puzzle tote in new raffia versions (not to mention the return of the classic basket for a sixth season) tells us anything, it's that Loewe baskets are still in very hot demand. It's a must for those who have Jane Birkin on their summer mood board.

Shop Loewe Basket Bags:

From Lady Gaga to Leonie Hanne, some of the fashion world's most prominent icons have all been photographed in one pair of sunglasses—Celine's Triomphe. These instantly recognisable sunnies are the epitome of "quiet luxury"—simple, sophisticated and understated, with only former creative director Hedi Slimane's Triomphe "C" logo to give away their status. From Slimane's introduction of Triomphe in 2018 to its latest incarnation across totes, tees and shoes, the unmistakable crest is a nod to the Arc de Triomphe; a symbol of pride in Celine's heritage and legacy. Statement sunnies may shout for attention, but these whisper wealth. Take it from us: You'll never regret a pair of all-black shades with the power to make even the most simple outfit feel A-list. By cost per wear alone, these are simply worth their weight in gold.

Shop Celine Triomphe Sunglasses:

Scroll through the feeds of the best dressed this summer and you'll notice many of the same items appear again and again. A chic one-piece swimsuit (often Eres), Toteme separates, perhaps some Loro Piana linen, but one accessory you're guaranteed to find across the board is a pair of Hermès sandals. Granted, Hermès scarves are equally coveted—and come to think of it, so too is the luggage—but for fashion insiders in the know, a pair of Chypre sandals is a particularly wise investment. You can wear these, the younger sister of the brand's 1997 Oran sandals, with everything from light midi dresses to jeans and a loose button-down. This thick-soled flat shoe is all that's required to add a little polish without compromising on comfort.

Shop Hermès Chypre Sandals:

No enviable holiday abroad would be complete without Dior's Naughtily-D hat to take shade in style. In the words of Christian Dior himself, "Without hats, there is no civilisation," and if this wide-brimmed straw hat finished with a monogrammed ribbon doesn't indicate savoir-faire, no other hat can come close. Across the decades of the brand's history, many creative directors have left their mark, but each has worked closely with milliners to continue Dior's couture legacy, and this fringed boater is a luxury trip around the Dioriveria without even having to pack your passport. Whether you take notes from Natalie Portman's bohemian styling and pair it with a floral dress or Uma Thurman's laid-back linen suit for a day in Cannes, it's easy to see why Dior considered hats essential to a polished silhouette.

Shop Dior Naughtily-D Hat:

When it comes to classic, handcrafted espadrilles, the educated choice is always Castañer. It's understandable then that the Castañer family has been designing and making the iconic shoe in-house for nearly 100 years and are the brains behind the now famed wedge, which was designed in conjunction with the Yves Saint Laurent back in 1970. If these shoes sound familiar, it might be because they have the royal stamp of approval, having been photographed on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Queen Letizia of Spain, but you'll also spot A-listers like Margot Robbie and Emily Ratajkowski wearing their Castañers as soon as the weather warms up. From beaches in Bali to dancing in Dubrovnik, you're likely to find a pair of these espadrilles in the suitcases of the very best dressed, and though there may be many imitators, there is only one Castañer Carina—the pretty ankle-tied wedge you're likely to see everywhere this summer and for many more to come.

Shop Castañer Espadrilles:

As quickly as ready-to-wear trends come and go, so too do jewellery aesthetics. One minute we're stacking Dynasty-inspired gold costume jewellery, the next we're looking for pretty pearls and coquette bows, but one piece of jewellery that has stood the test of time is the elegant tennis necklace. Although its roots began on the court thanks to player Chris Evert, we far prefer precious diamonds as the finishing touch on an equally special outfit. Enter Monica Vinader's Essential Tennis Necklace. Granted, 18k gold vermeil and diamonds don't come cheap, but this is the kind of piece you'll wear for a lifetime. Vinader's even comes with a "product passport," allowing consumers to trace their necklace across the brand's supply chain for full transparency (no wonder it can boast winning the 2022 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development). Dress up tank tops and linen, airy maxi dresses or crisp shirts with this delicate necklace that will invite compliments. As far as timeless jewellery goes, this piece wins—game, set and match. Not to mention we can back any piece of jewellery that looks good and does good too.

Shop Monica Vinader Tennis Necklaces: