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10 Must-Have Summer 2025 Accessories for Women Over 50

By Sandra Roussy April 26, 2025 Beauty

Summer 2025 is all about natural textures, functional fashion, and pieces that elevate comfort without sacrificing style. For women over 50, this season’s accessories are both chic and wearable, with a focus on quality materials, muted color palettes, and thoughtful details.

Whether you’re heading to brunch, sightseeing in a new city, or relaxing in the backyard, here are 10 trending summer accessories that will instantly freshen up your look.

Top summer 2025 trending accessories:

  1. Raffia Bucket Hats A lightweight, breathable option that offers sun protection without overwhelming your look. The textured raffia adds a natural summer vibe that pairs well with everything from sundresses to swimsuits.
  2. Sculptural SunglassesModern frames with a soft shape and translucent tint that flatters most face shapes. These glasses add a polished touch to casual outfits and work beautifully for travel, driving, or outdoor dining.
  3. Layered Metal Chains A polished, minimalist necklace that mixes metals and features a subtle opal detail. It catches the light in just the right way and layers beautifully with other pieces or stands alone for an understated statement.
  4. Belt Bag Revival This sleek, hands-free option is great for errands, day trips, or travel. It’s stylish enough to wear with a linen dress and practical enough to hold your phone, cards, and keys without adding bulk.
  5. Breathable Wraps with SPFA lightweight layer with built-in UPF 50+ sun protection in a range of soft summer tones. It’s perfect for tossing over your shoulders at the beach, layering on flights, or staying warm in over-air-conditioned restaurants.

Continue reading to discover more trendy summer accessories. 

Trendy Summer 2025 Accessories for Women Over 50

Raffia Bucket Hat

Trending in 2025: Bucket hats are back in 2025 and can be found in various materials – from straw to crocheted wool. We particularly like rafia for the warm summer months.
Try: J.Crew Raffia bucket hat.

Why It Works: Unlike the dramatic wide-brimmed styles of previous summers, 2025 is leaning into casual silhouettes like bucket hats. It’s breathable, travel-friendly, and gives just enough shade without overwhelming your outfit.

Sculptural Sunglasses

Trending in 2025: Eyewear with soft geometric lines and tinted lenses.
Try: Warby Parker “Esme” Sunglasses in Aventurine Tortoise with Polished Gold.

Why It Works: This year, bold cat-eyes and ultra-oversized frames are making room for sleeker, softer styles with translucent tints. The Esme adds a bit of edge while remaining elegant – perfect for women who want stylish eye protection without going over the top.

Layered Metal Chains

Trending in 2025: Mixed-metal minimalism.
Try: Mejuri Layered Opal Necklace.

Why It Works: Instead of chunky costume jewelry, 2025 jewelry trends highlight layered pieces in mixed finishes – think gold and silver together. It adds sophistication without weight and works well with open necklines and breezy summer tops.

Belt Bag Revival

Trending in 2025: Belt bags worn crossbody or at the waist.
Try: Kate Spade Rosie Belt Bag.

Why It Works: Once relegated to tourists, belt bags (or fanny packs) are now chic essentials and are great when carrying daily essentials. 

Breathable Wraps with SPF

Trending in 2025: Sun protection meets fashion.
Try: Coolibar Sanibel Everyday Wrap.

Why It Works: These airy wraps are treated with UPF 50+ fabric and come in summer-ready shades. They offer sun protection without feeling stuffy, and they’re perfect for layering in cool museums, restaurants, or over swimsuits by the pool.

Textured Woven Tote

Trending in 2025: Natural bags with artisan-inspired details.
Try: Clare V. Pot de Miel Woven Bag.

Why It Works: Inspired by a honey pot, this classic woven tote has been updated with thoughtful design touches like leather accents and a bamboo handle. It’s roomy enough for beach gear or a weekend market haul but still stylish enough to bring to brunch.

Platform Slide Sandals

Trending in 2025: Subtle height meets comfort-first fashion.
Try: Birkenstock Almina Nubuck Leather.

Why It Works: Flat sandals are taking a backseat to subtle platforms this summer. The extra height elongates the leg without stressing the foot. These leather slides offer arch support and a sleek shape that pairs well with dresses, pants, and linen sets.

Soft Fabric Hair Accessories

Trending in 2025: Low-tension style solutions.
Try: Slip Silk Scrunchies.

Why It Works: Hair accessories are back – but they’re gentler this time around. Silk scrunchies protect thinning or fragile hair and add a polished detail to your ponytail or bun without pulling or creasing.

Modern Ear Cuffs

Trending in 2025: Sculptural, no-pierce ear jewelry.
Try: Jenny Bird Tome Ear Cuff.

Why It Works: Ear cuffs are the standout jewelry trend of summer 2025 – modern and surprisingly easy to wear. They add a sophisticated edge without needing an additional piercing. Jenny Bird’s Tome Cuff, for example, hugs the ear in a sleek architectural shape. It’s a great way to experiment with statement jewelry in a minimal, comfortable way.

Statement Cuffs

Trending in 2025: Bold cuffs replacing layered bangles.
Try: J.Crew Sculpted Cuff Bracelet.

Why It Works: This year’s bracelets are all about strong, clean lines. A single cuff in bold enamel or metal makes a statement while being easier to wear than multiple bracelets.

This season’s accessories are about pairing functionality with polish. From sun-protective wraps to stylish hands-free bags, 2025’s trends cater to real lives – and real style – at every age.

Read more: 2025 Spring/Summer Shoe Trends – Comfortable and Stylish Options

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What is your favorite summer accessory? Do you like to change up your accessories every summer? Where do you like to shop for your summer accessories? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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Olga Shevchenko

And don’t forget about pearl jewelry for summer! We witness the renaissance of pearl jewelry. Pearls are worn as a fashion accessory with any clothing, including casual outfits. I am sure most women have a classic strand of pearls that you may wear with an elegant dress or with a T-shirt. You may create a contemporary look wearing your classic white pearl necklace layering it with chains or other necklaces. Or, adding a pendant to it, etc. Play with your pearls!

Linda

I always wanted a Longchamps Le Pliage tote, so my husband thought he’d buy me one as a Christmas gift few years ago. He bought the wrong thing and ended up with the huge size travel holdall version. I’m ashamed to say I’ve only ever used it once as it’s unwieldy for a person of my short height and everything drops into the bottom. It also doesn’t sit well on top of a case on wheels.

He was also persuaded to buy the matching makeup bag which I have never used. A real shame as the travel bag is a beautiful shade of maroon with turquoise blue leather handles and trim, but it’s just way too big.

Wilhelmina

Nice clothing. Outrageous prices…perhaps an article on looking smart on a small budget.

Julie

When reading articles like this I like to visit the local thrift stores and see if they have anything that is similar to what is considered a “must-have”. It’s like a scavenger hunt and occasionally you discover a treasure!

Jeanna

No. If you want a woman to feel old, then dress them like Mrs. Roper.

Liz Clark

Pretty things and it would have been nicer to see these things on women over 60!

Lisa Stege

Plus seeing items that aren’t so pricy. It’s a lot easier to find beautiful items when you have plenty of money to spend on them. Prada? Johnny Was?
I was shopping for white sandals recently, and did find some on Nordstrom’s website, but I found it frustrating that so many that I was attracted to were from Stuart Weitzman: $350 to $400!

teresa

there are some nice thrift stores around so i’m sure they would be found in your area!

Lisa Stege

I hate to shop, and am so picky about shoes that I can go to every store in a big mall and not find anything. I did finally find a cute pair of sandals from Nordstrom online that will be great with shorts or dresses. Not a thrift store shopper regarding clothing, but have found some incredible buys on ebay from my favorite labels.

Lisa Stege

PS, so glad that I don’t feel compelled to follow the trends. I have my own style and only occasionally find things that I want to add to my wardrobe.

The Author

Sandra is a writer, traveler, and former fashion designer who made a bold midlife pivot to pursue her creative passions. After two decades designing collections for brands like La Senza, Victoria’s Secret, and JACOB Lingerie, she let go of her possessions and reimagined her life on her own terms. Her personal essay about love, loss, and facing fears was hand-picked by Elizabeth Gilbert and featured in the New York Times bestselling book Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It. Visit her website: www.sandraroussy.com.

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