The authentic and timeless world of Ralph Lauren
Summer 2026
RL/Women

Summer Accessories That Make a Statement

This summer’s best flourishes go for the bold, in striking colors, sculptural shapes, and with handcrafted textures.
By Shannon Adducci
It’s no secret that accessories can make an entire look. Choosing the right handbag, shoe, or piece of jewelry is essential, as much for finishing an outfit as it is in developing one’s own sense of personal style. For the Spring 2026 Collection Runway Show, Ralph looked at the simplicity of color, shapes, and graphic lines to show the possibilities of dressing in a way that is simultaneously bold and minimal. Accessories played a key role, with swipes of red in handbags, shoes, and scarves; sensuous, sculptural jewelry in silver; and black-and-white stripes running here and there. The pièce de résistance? A dramatic sun hat with an oversize brim, folded up at the front with flair, proof that sometimes all it takes is one great thing to make a statement. Here, five key accessories from the Spring 2026 Collection that set the tone for memorable summer style.
Nº 1
The Colorful Bag
One of the easiest accessories updates of the season, a red handbag adds an instant shot of energy to any look. The Ralph bag’s automotive inspiration becomes even clearer in a hot pepper hue that would also look great on a sports car. Carry the bag with neutrals or pair with graphic stripes just as Ralph did on the runway to lean in further to the racing nod.
Striped Cotton-Silk Short-Sleeve Sweater
$990.00 $690.00
The Ralph Calfskin Tote
$3,800.00
Daria Linen Wide-Leg Pant
$1,190.00
Silver-Tone Horn Earrings
$590.00 $420.00
Graison 95 MM Lambskin Sandal
$1,090.00 $760.00
Nº 2
The Big Hat
An oversize sun hat evokes more than just drama. It’s also decidedly retro, drawing on the tastes of Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and many mid-century magazine covers. Keep everything else simple and monochromatic to let the head décor truly shine.
Hemp-Blend Wide-Brim Hat
$1,290.00 $900.00
Calfskin Double-Prong Belt
$500.00
Trystan 95 MM Rope Lambskin Sandal
$1,490.00 $1,050.00
Nº 3
The Bold Slingback
The low-heeled slingback continues to be the key silhouette for dressed-up office attire. Take this season’s Antonella pump, which reimagines the classic shape with strands of artfully woven nappa lambskin, creating a graphic effect on an Austrian-sourced beechwood kitten heel. It steals the scene against a black-and-white or neutral wardrobe.
Cable-Knit Silk Halter Sweater
$690.00 $500.00
Antonella 35 MM Woven Lambskin Pump
$1,290.00 $900.00
Parker Linen Jacket
$1,790.00
Tracy Pleated Linen Short
$790.00 $550.00
The Ralph Braided Small Bucket Bag
$4,400.00 $3,100.00
RL Ricky Sunglasses
$360.00
Nº 4
The Sculpted Silver Pendant
Shell jewelry is the oldest jewelry there is; a primal form of adornment that happens to be relevant once again. Ralph updated the approach by using sculpted brass in a polished silver finish to mimic the shape of an oversize shell. Worn on a leather strand as a pendant, it’s both sleek and naturalistic.
Cable-Knit Silk Halter Sweater
$690.00 $500.00
Niccola Pleated Jersey Maxiskirt
$2,990.00 $2,100.00
The Ralph Small Floral Bucket Bag
$3,200.00 $2,250.00
Antonella 35 MM Woven Lambskin Pump
$1,290.00 $900.00
Nº 5
The Ubiquitous Scarf
The trusty scarf is also having something of a renaissance, reimagined in more adventurous ways to wear. Around the neck is still tried and true, but it can also be a sash around the waist, an add-on to a handbag, or the chicest way to tie up a ponytail.
Cable-Knit Silk Cropped Cardigan
$990.00 $700.00
Mercer Relaxed Wide-Leg Jean
$890.00
Adela 95 MM Woven Lambskin Mule
$1,390.00 $970.00

SHANNON ADDUCCI is a writer and fashion editor based in New York. Her work has appeared in Elle, GQ, Departures, Robb Report, WWD, and T: The New York Times Style Magazine.