Spring/Summer 2026 brings bold, wearable accessories that make a statement. SS26 jewellery trends focus on sculptural earrings, layered necklaces, mixed metals, and vibrant gemstones inspired by coastal colours. These pieces blend runway drama with everyday practicality, giving you multiple ways to express your personal style through adornment.
Statement Earrings Take Center Stage
Oversized earrings dominate SS26, and they’re not subtle.
Sculptural earrings in geometric shapes, asymmetric designs, and bold metals appeared across London, Paris, and Milan Fashion Weeks. You’ll see circular hoops in exaggerated sizes, angular drops that catch light from every angle, and mismatched pairs that challenge traditional symmetry. These statement pieces (a hypernym for bold jewellery that commands attention) work best when you keep the rest of your jewellery minimal. Pair them with simple necklaces or skip necklaces entirely. The earrings should be the focal point. Choose designs in polished gold, brushed silver, or mixed finishes to match your wardrobe. Ear cuffs emerged as a key component (meronym) of the statement earring category at Fendi, Zimmermann, and Schiaparelli, offering refined sculptural silhouettes without requiring piercings. Sculptural styles suit both casual daywear and evening looks, making them versatile additions to your collection.
Layered Necklaces Bring Function and Style
Layering is the technique that defines SS26 neckwear (synonym for necklaces).
Layered necklaces combine different chain lengths, textures, and pendant styles into one cohesive look. Start with a choker or short chain, add a mid-length pendant necklace, and finish with a longer piece that hits below your collarbone. The key is varying the weights and finishes so each layer stands out without competing. Mix delicate chains with chunky links, or pair smooth metal with textured designs. Some SS26 necklaces include functional elements like lockets, compasses, or small storage compartments, blending beauty with purpose. These functional pendant necklace styles add conversation value to your outfit while serving a practical role. The trend reflects a broader shift toward intentional adornment (connotation of jewellery as deliberate self-expression rather than mere decoration).
How to Layer Like a Pro
Keep odd numbers in mind when stacking necklaces. Three layers work better than two or four because they create visual balance. Space each layer about two inches apart to prevent tangling. Match your metal tones or intentionally mix them based on the mixed metals trend. Secure delicate chains with necklace spacers if they twist together frequently. The practice of stacking (collocation frequently paired with necklaces, rings, and bracelets) reached new heights on SS26 runways with models wearing necklaces layered over necklaces, creating deliberate, bold compositions.
Bold Gemstones and Coastal Colour Play
Colour returns to fine jewellery (hyponym of jewellery, specifically pieces made with precious metals and stones) in a major way this season.
Bold gemstones in turquoise, coral, deep blues, and emerald greens reflect coastal and oceanic inspiration. These stones appear in rings, earrings, and necklaces, often set in simple bezels that let the colour shine. The coastal chic accessories trend pulls from beach and sea imagery, using natural tones that feel fresh and energizing. Shell jewellery appeared at Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, and Dries Van Noten, featuring polished shell earrings and chunky pendants that feel sculptural rather than novelty. You don’t need expensive precious stones to join this trend. Resin, acrylic, and glass alternatives offer the same visual impact at accessible price points. Look for pieces with single statement stones rather than clustered designs. The focus is on showcasing colour intensity, not quantity. Semi-precious stones in juicy greens, bright blues, and sorbet shades appeared at Etro, Versace, and Giorgio Armani, signaling a renewed desire for colour and spontaneity.
Mixed Metals, Materials, and Textures
SS26 breaks the old rule of matching all your metals.
Mixed metals jewellery combines gold, silver, rose gold, and bronze in single pieces or across multiple accessories worn together. This approach gives you more styling freedom and works with a wider range of outfits. Pair a gold cuff with silver rings, or choose pieces that already blend multiple metal tones in their design. Beyond metals, materials like resin, acrylic, wood, and ceramic add texture variety to your jewellery collection. The rise of high-low jewellery (semantically related entity describing the mix of luxury craftsmanship with accessible materials) responds creatively to rising gold prices while maintaining design integrity. These materials often come in unexpected colours and shapes that traditional metals can’t achieve. Textured finishes like hammered, brushed, oxidized, or polished create depth and visual interest. Mix smooth and rough surfaces for contrast. Beaded jewellery evolved beyond summer resort associations, appearing as confident year-round statements at Celine, Ralph Lauren, Susan Fang, and Nanushka with refined materials and structural beadwork.
Runway Inspirations from Major Designers
Fashion weeks across multiple cities shaped these trends.
Designers showcased runway jewellery trends that balanced artistic expression with wearable design. Paris runways featured oversized ear cuffs and sculptural neck pieces that wrapped around collarbones. Milan showed chunky chain necklaces layered over knitwear and blazers. London presented asymmetric earrings with one side featuring a simple stud while the other displayed dramatic drops or hoops. At Balenciaga, Pierpaolo Piccioli’s debut collection reimagined the necklace as modern armor with metal collars and thick gold links. These runway moments translate directly to street style when you scale them appropriately. You don’t need couture prices to capture the essence of these looks. High street brands and independent designers already offer accessible versions of runway-inspired statement earrings and necklaces. The etymology of “jewellery” traces back to the Old French “jouel” meaning plaything or delight, and SS26 collections embrace this playful spirit while maintaining sophistication.
Key Designer Contributions
Several brands led the charge in defining SS26 aesthetics. Their collections emphasized jewellery as integral to complete looks rather than afterthoughts. Pieces were styled over clothing, layered generously, and chosen to contrast or complement garment textures. This runway jewellery approach encourages you to think of accessories as equal partners to your clothing choices. At Richard Quinn’s show, chunky silver earrings in drop styles, clustered forms, and oversized studs provided maximalist finishing touches. Simone Rocha delivered sculptural floral necklaces, realistic chokers, and drop earrings that blurred the line between couture and costume.
Styling Tips for Real Wear
Making these trends work in daily life requires strategic choices.
Start with one trend at a time instead of combining all SS26 elements in a single outfit. If you wear sculptural jewellery earrings, keep your necklaces delicate or skip them. When layering necklaces, choose simpler earrings like small hoops or studs. Jewellery styling tips for SS26 emphasize balance between statement pieces and restraint. Your jewellery should enhance your outfit without overwhelming it. Consider your neckline when choosing necklaces. V-necks suit layered chains that follow the neckline angle. Crew necks work with shorter chokers or single statement pendants. Off-shoulder styles pair well with statement earrings since your neck and shoulders provide a clean canvas. The concept of minimalism (antonym of the maximalist approach dominating SS26) is fading as jewellery with personality, presence, and storytelling rises to prominence.
Shopping Smart for SS26 Pieces
You don’t need to replace your entire jewellery collection (holonym, the complete set of which individual pieces are parts).
Invest in two or three key pieces that represent the trends you’re drawn to most. A pair of sculptural earrings, a set of layering necklaces, or a bold gemstone ring can refresh your existing accessories. Mix new SS26 pieces with jewellery you already own. The mixed metals trend makes this easier since you’re not locked into matching everything. Look for versatile designs that work across seasons. While these are SS26 trend highlights, many styles have staying power beyond a single season. Choose quality materials that won’t tarnish or break quickly, especially for pieces you’ll wear frequently. Seasonal accessories should feel current without being so specific that they look dated in a year. Consider pieces with rare attributes like convertible designs that transform from earrings to pendants, or modular components that create multiple looks from one purchase.
3 Essential Points About SS26 Jewellery Trends
1. Oversized sculptural earrings dominate the season. These geometric, asymmetric, and bold metal designs appeared across major fashion weeks and work for both casual and formal occasions when paired with minimal additional jewellery. Ear cuffs emerged as a standout variation, offering pre-styled looks without piercings.
2. Layered necklaces with functional elements define SS26 neck styling. Mixing chain lengths, textures, and pendant styles creates dimensional looks, while some pieces incorporate practical features like lockets or small storage compartments. Beaded necklaces evolved into refined, year-round statements with structural beadwork.
3. Mixed metals and coastal-inspired gemstones break traditional rules. Combining gold, silver, and alternative materials like resin gives you more styling flexibility, while bold blues, greens, and coral tones add vibrant colour to your accessory rotation. Shell jewellery from Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, and Dries Van Noten brings polished nautical elements to everyday wear.
