The price of gold has been making headlines frequently over the last year. As usual, when the gold price hits unprecedented highs, consumers flock to fine gold jewellery, recognizing its intrinsic value as well as the uplifting feel of its warm sunny colour. The buzz for gold is also thriving in the fashion world, with gold frequently appearing on the runways in metallics, sequins, jewellery, and accessories across Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter collections. Time to dive deep into the heirloom jewellery boxes and to shop for the latest designs in the gold category. Here, we will explore how gold reigns supreme in fashion and what retailers should be stocking to meet the demand.

Brown is the new black… again

Brown was abundant on the runways of the fall/winter 2025-26 season. Layered chocolatey sweaters appeared at Tory Burch and Stella McCartney. Rich “mocha mousse” leathers strolled the catwalks in dresses, blouses, and skirts at Fendi and Michael Kors or leather jackets at Hermès and Coach. Lush brown furs and velvet also appeared at Balenciaga, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren. Animal prints are also trending, featured at Saint Laurent, Versace, and other notable brands. All of these varieties of brown pair perfectly with the warmth of fine gold jewellery.

The ubiquitous rich earth tones call for chunky gold chains at the wrist and the neck, gold hoop earrings, and bangle bracelets. 

Orange is a key accent colour, often seen on the runway paired with brown at Hermès, Saint Laurent, and other high-end designers. Orange gemstones, such as coral, spessartite, and mandarin garnet, are the perfect complements to either monotone brown looks or the layering of orange with brown.

Volume silhouettes

Volume has been trending on the runway for a while, adding dimension and drama in large, billowing skirts, steep collars, or broad-shoulder jackets, sweaters, and outerwear. The largesse is often offset with belted waists for a flattering esthetic. A throwback to the 1980s, shoulder pads are returning, bigger and higher than those from the past. Boxy blazers and dresses appeared at Givenchy, Saint Laurent, and Balmain. High necklines have also been trending since 2024, with fabric extending up to the chin in funnel collars and turtlenecks, as seen at Gucci, Versace, and Ferragamo. Additionally, ultra-high neck trench coats or collars have been featured at Victoria Beckham, Fendi, and Dries Van Noten. Capes, built-in scarves, and draping featured at Calvin Klein, Toteme, and Burberry.

These larger silhouettes call for bigger and bolder accessories, including power chokers alla Balenciaga S/S 2026. Statement earrings are also thriving, given the plethora of wide-shouldered tops and jackets, fancy sleeves, draping slouchy sweaters, and outerwear. Wider, thicker gold hoops and forward-facing hoops work well to balance the shoulder width. Long, shoulder-duster earrings and gold fringe earrings pair perfectly with the funnel necks and turtlenecks.

Bulkier silhouettes also work best with bigger wrist jewellery. Stack up an armful of gold bangles or consider pairing cuffs, Wonder Woman style, on both wrists. Cuffs also balance the many flowing and/or billowing sleeves that are prevalent in ready-to-wear for 2026, seen at Alaïa, Gucci, Zimmerman, Saint Laurent, and Givenchy. The wider the sleeve, the bigger the cuff bracelet or the higher the bangle stack.

Layering and personalization

Taking inspiration from street style, layering continues to be popular. Harper’s Bazaar said it best, “from Celine to Schiaparelli, the new jewellery rule is more.”  Saint Laurent and Ralph Lauren have also featured long, layered bead necklaces on their catwalks. Whether sporting chunky gold and gemstone rings on every finger or wearing layered chains and cluster charm necklaces, jumbled or layered jewellery is fun to wear and allows for distinct personalization, a growing trend for 2026. Gold initial charms, birthstone pendants, and zodiac charms are fun options to bring self-expression to the so-called “neck mess.” Meaningful motifs like hearts, crosses, and functional lockets or padlocks make conversation starters and appeal to the nostalgia-loving Gen-Z consumer. Amulets conjuring good fortune and protection are also prominent, given the geopolitical uncertainty and trying times—horns, horseshoes, evil eye, etc.  Saint Laurent featured long, layered maxi bead necklaces for 2025.

Stackable rings and bracelets are another form of layering. Runway inspirations for stacked bracelets abound, starting from 2024 clear up to 2026, seen most recently at Chanel, Hermès and more. Similar to layering necklaces, the wrist wrapping trend offers a variety of styling and self-expression, but does not require a mirror. People can see and play with their bracelet stack throughout the day and get that jolt of confidence that great style gives whenever they look down at their phones.

Traditional gold signet rings are making a comeback, as well, often worn as pinky rings. In yellow or rose gold, the classic ring is getting new iterations from designers, as well as a cult following from royalty (Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle) and celebrities (Zendaya, Taylor Swift, Jacob Elordi, and Brad Pitt) alike. No longer limited to family crests or plain metal, modern signet rings feature a variety of creative and meaningful designs, including monograms, zodiac signs, symbols like the tree of life, shamrocks, favourite pet profiles or names. The unisex trend is popular, offering a more accessible entry point for younger browsers entering the store.

Next up – Silver, white, and mixed metals

Mixed-metal jewellery is also on the rise, allowing great versatility and mix-and-match styling. Trend forecasters are saying silver is next as a bold metal accessory. The price of gold has some brands seeking alternative metals like silver for their strong statement pieces – chunky silver bracelets, rings, earrings, and sculptural pendants on long silk or leather cords, as seen at Balenciaga.

Large cuffs in silver are also runway-worthy (Margiela S/S 26), a more affordable accessory for the “Cloud Dancer” white hue that is Pantone’s colour of the year for 2026. More two-tone designs have been emerging in designer jewellery lines to offset the wholesale costs of precious metals and provide consumers with great options for making the transition from gold to silver or wearing both their yellow and white metals simultaneously.

Duvall O’Steen is a New York publicist, writer, trend reporter, and luxury communications consultant, specializing in the fine jewellery industry. Following more than a decade of service as director of jewellery PR and promotion for World Gold Council, O’Steen established her own freelance business in 2011, providing her expertise and creativity to jewellery designers worldwide. She is also a jewellery publicist for the boutique public relations firm Luxury Brand Group.