Accessory Trends from RealSimple: Brooch Revival, Totes & Kitten Heels

Accessories aren’t just add-ons, they’re powerful tools of self-expression. And few sources track emerging style shifts as closely as RealSimple. In its latest features, three standout trends are grabbing attention: the brooch revival, statement totes, and kitten heels. Each reflects a broader movement toward versatile, nostalgic, and personality-driven styling.

In this article, we explore how these accessory trends intersect with jewelry, sustainability, and self-expression. You’ll learn how to style them, why they’re resonating with today’s shoppers, and how brands can integrate these ideas into their collections. For readers interested in jewelry-adjacent topics, check out posts like Chokers & Collars: From Opulent Diamonds to Everyday Elegance and Kidult Jewelry Revival: Nostalgic Charm Accessory Trend for Fall.

The Brooch Revival

Brooches, once thought of as your grandmother’s jewelry box staple, are back in a big way. Designers are reimagining brooches with modern materials, playful motifs, and unexpected placements.

Why Brooches Are Trending:

• Nostalgia Meets Modernity: They fit perfectly with the kidult and charm revival trends (see Kidult Jewelry Revival: Nostalgic Charm Accessory Trend for Fall).

• Versatile Styling: Brooches aren’t confined to lapels anymore. They’re on hats, handbags, scarves, and even chokers.

• Sustainability: Many brooches are crafted from upcycled metals and vintage components (see Sustainable Jewelry Spotlight: Recycled Metals & Fair-Trade Sourcing).

Styling Ideas:

• Pin a bold enamel brooch to a plain tote for a pop of color (see Enamel Accents & Bold Colors: 2025 Jewelry Statements You Can’t Miss).

• Cluster multiple small brooches for a statement-making effect.

• Pair a diamond or gemstone brooch with a minimalist black blazer for a power look.

Brooches offer an accessible entry point for consumers looking to personalize their style without investing in a full jewelry suite.

Statement Totes: Fashion Meets Function

Totes have always been a workhorse accessory, but in 2025, they’re undergoing a transformation.

Key Features of the New-Gen Tote:

• Sustainable Materials: Recycled leather, organic cotton, and even innovative bio-resins (see Innovative Materials in Jewelry: Bio-Resins, 3D-Printing & Recycled Alloys).

• Architectural Shapes: Structured designs inspired by sculptural jewelry trends (see Statement Jewelry in 2025: Oversized Earrings and Sculptural Rings to Watch).

• Customization: Interchangeable straps, monograms, and add-on charms.

Styling Tips:

• Match a structured tote with minimalist jewelry like thin bangles or a black ceramic watch (see Black Watches & Bold Timepieces: Modern Alternatives to Jewelry).

• Attach small brooches or keychains to personalize.

• Use bold color blocking to echo the season’s enamel trends.

Statement totes bridge the gap between practicality and personality, making them the perfect canvas for jewelry-inspired embellishments.

Kitten Heels: Subtle Power Dressing

Kitten heels, the mid-century favorite, are also making a comeback, dovetailing with the rise of “quiet luxury.” They offer:

• Comfort + Elegance: Low height but high style.

• Retro Chic: Pair beautifully with vintage-inspired jewelry like pearls or heirloom rings (see Heirloom Rings for Gen Z: Old-European Cuts & Vintage Aesthetic).

• Versatility: Work with jeans, tailored trousers, or midi dresses.

Styling Tips:

• Coordinate your kitten heels with a brooch or tote accent color for a cohesive look.

• Choose metallic kitten heels to complement Mixed Metal Magic: How 2025 is Breaking Jewelry Rules.

• For evening, pair satin kitten heels with Chokers & Collars or delicate layered necklaces.

Kitten heels embody understated sophistication, echoing the “less but better” ethos driving many jewelry trends.

Accessory Synergy: Putting It All Together

The power of these trends lies in combination. Imagine:

• A structured recycled-leather tote with a baroque-pearl brooch pinned to the handle (see Pearl Reinvention: Baroque, Asymmetry, and Unexpected Pairings).

• Black enamel kitten heels coordinated with a slim choker (see Chokers & Collars).

• A playful charm brooch on a tote, paired with layered bracelets (see Ear Stacking as Self Expression: Curating Your Own Ear Curation).

This approach mirrors the layering mentality in jewelry, stacking rings, mixing metals, and combining textures, to create a truly personal signature.

Sustainability and Storytelling

Shoppers today want accessories that align with their values. This includes:

• Transparent Sourcing: Highlighting recycled or fair-trade materials.

• Longevity: High-quality totes and timeless brooches reduce fast-fashion waste.

• Heritage Craftsmanship: Partnering with artisans or reviving vintage styles.

These factors echo jewelry trends like Lab-Grown Diamonds Go Mainstream: Ethics Meets Elegance and Sustainable Jewelry Spotlight.

Conclusion

From brooches to totes to kitten heels, the accessory landscape in 2025 is all about versatility, nostalgia, and conscious consumption. Each of these trends offers an opportunity to express individuality, whether through a playful brooch pinned in an unexpected place, a tote that doubles as a fashion statement, or a pair of kitten heels that prove comfort can be chic.

For brands and designers, embracing these trends means merging function with narrative, and sustainability with style, principles already transforming jewelry. By thinking of accessories as a curated ensemble, not standalone items, consumers and creators alike can elevate everyday looks with subtle yet powerful choices.