Must-have summer accessories to spice up any outfit 

Summer is once again upon us and, with it, a new wave of fashion trends is sweeping the stores and the streets. From quintessential summer dresses to crop tops, denim shorts and swimsuits, a whole new range of warm-weather outfits are being intensely promoted by fashion experts and influencers, both in the virtual and the real world, leaving shoppers with that hard-to-escape yet weirdly familiar feeling that it’s necessary to purchase them all. 

But the truth is fashion trends are nothing more than mere suggestions – not rules that anyone has to abide by. There’s no need to give in to every fleeting fad that comes along every few months in order to look and feel modern. In truth, changing an entire wardrobe just to keep up with the latest trends doesn’t really make much sense – it doesn’t help create one’s own style and it’s definitely not a sustainable approach.  

So, how to keep a wardrobe up to date and still look like a million bucks without breaking the bank on seasonal shopping sprees? One word: accessories. A carefully curated collection of accessories can breathe new life into regular outfits and instantly elevate a look at a fraction of the cost. And the best part is they also expand the possibility of creating unique and versatile ensembles that really express the wearer’s style and personality. For a bit of inspiration to get started, here are some top accessory picks for a hot and stylish summer. 

Bold jewellery 

When it comes to styling up summer outfits with jewellery, bigger seems to be better, so to shine brighter than the sun this season, it’s time to get that bling on. It’s all about oversized earrings, bulky bracelets and layers upon layers of necklaces. Anyone can easily give the classic combination of white T-shirt and jeans a refreshing edge by adorning fingers with chunky rings or layering several necklaces in varying lengths. Those feeling creative can also play around with colours and textures, and throw some brightly-hued gemstones or beads in the mix. 

Whether one opts for classic pieces or includes uniquely shaped items in the collection, maximalist jewellery is sure to make even the most basic outfit stand out from the crowd, so there’s no reason to shy away from a bold aesthetic this summer.

Oversized sunglasses 

Keeping up with the bold theme, here’s another must-have summer accessory: sunglasses. A lot of people have been riding the 90s-inspired micro-shades trend lately, going from sleek to almost non-existent sunglasses. But now that the sun is up in the sky, it’s best to hide from its scorching rays behind a pair of oversized sunglasses. That means 1970s-style sunglasses that can cover up to half of the face.

From aviators to cat-eye or rectangular frames, these beloved oversized retro shades come in a wide variety of models and tints, so everyone will surely find something to catch their eye (pun intended). This is a quick and effective way to create an effortless look as oversized sunnies can be styled with almost any outfit. Of course, they’re best paired up with SPF 50+. 

Quick note: since sunglasses serve first and foremost a practical purpose – to protect the eyes against the harmful sun rays – it’s not just the colour of the lenses or the design that buyers should focus on, but also the quality of the items purchased.  

Statement bags

For one reason or another, summer is the season when everyone seems to carry more stuff than usual, so a bag that can fit in all those summer essentials is a must. From sun protection and water bottles to wet wipes and refreshing mists, there’s a lot to tote, but that doesn’t mean looking any less chic. 

Basket purses are a timeless and very practical summer accessory and a great option for when one needs to throw all the items in one go and sprint out the door. Besides, they make the wearer look like they’ve just come back from a holiday in the south of France. And if basket bags feel a bit too bulky and mainstream, there’s a range of different bags by Loungefly to check out and let pop culture be the inspiration. Their varied options feature the most beloved Funko characters, and can be taken anywhere.

Bucket hats 

This next pick also goes back in time again – to the 90s, to be more precise. One of the items that defined the aesthetics of that era is having a comeback: the iconic bucket hat. For years, floppy oversized sun hats have been regarded as the ultimate summer accessories, but they’re not always the most practical and comfortable to wear in the city. Luckily, bucket hats provide a great alternative to keep the sun off one’s nose.

The thing with bucket hats is they’re very polarising – people either love them or hate them, and there’s no in-between. So, here are a few reasons to love them: they look good on everyone, they offer sun protection, they come in a wide range of colours and patterns, and they provide plenty of styling options.  

Lightweight scarves 

Scarves are a great accessory for every season, but summer is when the floatier versions get to shine the brightest. Maybe there’s already a collection of scarves tucked away in the wardrobe, and now’s the time to use them to accessorise summer looks.

Soft and delicate like a summer breeze, simple or patterned, scarves are extremely versatile accessories. They can be tied them around a purse, used as headbands or even worn as tops for those who are feeling bold. The options truly are limitless, so it’s easy to feel free and experiment.

For anyone who’s hit a little creative block in coming up with new outfit ideas or who simply wants to elevate their summer wardrobe without emptying the bank account, these handy accessories can serve as a source of possibilities.

The editorial unit