Summer Accessories To Elevate Your Outfits
Happy Thursday ladies. As the dog days of summer march on, many of us are getting tired of our warm-weather wardrobes… I know I am. My thoughts have already begun drifting toward fall but for me, it’s a long way off because we have still another 3-4 months of warm weather ahead of us. That means I needed to get creative so today I’m sharing some ways to use summer accessories to elevate your outfits.
This month, Cindy and I are back with our Monthly Fashion Edit Over 50 and sharing tips for wearing summer accessories. We’re excited to be joined by my good friend Tania who writes 50 Is Not Old.
Accessories are one of those things I seldom remove from my wardrobe. The one time I did donate something, I regretted it, almost immediately. To be honest, accessories take very little space to store so I find it easy to keep them all. My most treasured accessories add personality to an outfit and help create your personal statement that is uniquely you. Here are some of my favorites:
Hats
I am a huge fan. They not only protect your face from the sun, but they also add “attitude” to any outfit. Hats get noticed so they’re not for the overly shy. You can spend a small fortune on a hat and also get great ones for under $30. To avoid hat hair, I just keep my hat on! A lady is never required to remove her hat:)
Sometimes, the bigger the better with hats when you want full sun protection.
To be honest, I find super huge hats can be hard to keep on in the wind so if it’s blistering hot, I’ll reach for a parasol instead. Those really get you noticed but protect more of you from the sun and your head doesn’t perspire under them.
Summer Scarves
Scarves are one of my favorite accessories for the way they add a pop of color and pattern They can be a challenge in hot weather but I hate to not wear them so I simply tie them to other places on and off my body.
They go on my head in windy conditions to protect my hair from wind damage.
I like to tie them through the front and side belt loop of my jeans for a pop which also shows some waist definition without tucking your top in. You can also fold a large one on the diagonal into a wide strip and thread it around your waist.
If it’s not too warm, you can even tie a cotton bandana around your neck.
You can also tie small scarves around the handle of your handbag, which keeps them at the ready if you need to cover your hair:)
Earrings
The ultimate summer accessory that you can wear in any temperature. Whether your style leans to classic or dramatic, there is no end to the selection of earrings that will update a summer outfit. I’m a fan of matchy/matchy, but anything goes here. Price is not important and some of my most creative earrings were found at Target!
Bracelets
These are fabulous in the heat because they don’t feel warm to wear. Look for summer accessories in natural materials like bamboo, sea glass, thin metal, pearls, wooden, etc. Lucite has a lightweight look that’s perfect for summer and can be found at all price points.
Summer Handbags
Summer means it’s time to ditch the leather bag and reach for wicker, straw, or ratan. Canvas is also great but can be harder to keep clean and is not usually as durable. This is also a great time of year to find great ones because many are on sale in preparation for fall merchandise.
Sunglasses
Fun shapes and colors add pizazz to your look as well as protect your eyes from sun damage and prevent squinting. The popular shapes change gradually so I recommend you choose a flattering shape for your face structure. I wear prescription glasses so unless I have contacts in, I’m pretty limited with my sunglasses. I chose a frame I liked and had my RX put into them.
FUN SUNGLASSES
See also-Ā How to Choose the Best Eyeglasses
Let’s see what Cindy from Cindy Hattersley Design and Tania fromĀ 50 Is Not Old have to share about summer accessories. I hope you’re prepared to be inspired because these gals knock it out of the park. All. The. Time!
Great looks. I love your attention to detail and a perfect finished look. I had to giggle with the parasol. I live in Cuenca, Ecuador, high in the Andes. The sun is exceptionally strong, and I am never without my parasol and my Panama hat – which is originally from Ecuador, not Panama! Just a lil tidbit!
Great blog, thanks so much xok
I need to confess that since following your blog, my life has gotten much easier and a lot more fun!
I have refined my wardrobe. I love the classic, neutral colors and styles. By adding accessories from my stash of collectibles, itās a quick, easy way to put together an outfit and get out the door!
Iām planning my purchases and am willing to invest in quality. Your recommendations have helped immensely! When I see it, I can do it too! Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear that, Jan!
You look great in every outfit!! Love the green polka dot tee, so cute āŗļø love the Brahmin bag with the scarf, stunning !
Thank you
I HAVE TO LAUGH ABOUT YOUR COMMENT ABOUT THE WIDE BRIM HATS SO TRUE!! I LOVE THAT LONG LINEN CARDIGAN FROM NIC AND ZOE. I HAVE BEEN SO TEMPTED TO ORDER THAT EVER SINCE I SAW IT ON YOU. YOU LOOK SO GREAT IN HEAD SCARVES. I WISH I COULD WEAR THEM. I LOOK LIKE THE BAG LADY IN THEM. SO MANY GOOD IDEAS. I NEED TO UP MY SUNGLASS GAME. I AM GOING TO CHECK SOME OF THOSE OUT. THIS WAS A FUN POST!!
Always fun to collaborate with you!
You look great in hats! I wished that I looked as good. It was great linking with you and Cindy today!
Thanks for joining us! xx
Jennifer, I have followed you for couple of years and related to you mainly because we are the same height and watching your style has helped me in so many ways. However, for some reason I just today caught that you shared with Cindy. I flipped over to her blog for the first time and WOW–thats my style. I like to dress just like her
BUT, I can not tell how tall she is. Do you know.???
I will still consider your blog a must to read eacd day and will definitely conti using enjoying each and every post.
I think Cindy is 5’4″ like me
Wonderful ideas!
I really like your look in the white shirt and blue scarf — so striking!
THAT GREEN POLKA DOT TEE IS YOUR COLOR!!
I do like to wear a bandana just in triangle. Pulled down on forehead in front and tied under hair in back. It keeps sweat from getting in your eyes and hair off your neck. Did you know the make headbands scarves with bangs attached?
I love all of these looks. My fav is blue scarf with those earrings and the 4 way cardigan with the white pants. We use to tie small knots in the dangling ends of a cardigan like that.
All great suggestions Jennifer and I have to say that you look amazing in hats.
I’m just beginning to enjoy summer, so I want it to last as long as possible as we are just getting out of our latest lockdown, and I have so many summer clothes I haven’t had a chance to wear yet.
Enjoy! Ours started early with blistering temperatures so it does get tiring
Lovely post thank you Jennifer. I am so tempted to buy the blue silk scarf it looks so chic with the denim jacket.And a lovely picture of the two of you š I often go into Target to look at the earrings from Bauble bar, amazing finds .
It’s a great price for silk:)
Do you have a source or link for your umbrella? It is so pretty!
Yes, you can find it here
Great accessory ideas.
Love the scarf on the bag or as a belt or just tied on a belt loop.
Changes the whole appearance of your outfit.
I too have just about had it with summer (wet, humid and gray).
We too have a good two months to go. Hope it will be seasonal temperatures instead of very, very hot š„µ.
In New England, our weather is always unpredictable. So it will be a surprise and will look for the good in each day. š
I do remember that humidity well. It’s no fun. Hang in there
And you, dear lady, knock it out of the park yourself!
Thanks so much
Hi Jennifer,
I am in Australia so it’s a different season here but I love your ideas and suggestions. You always look so well put together. Thanks for sharing your great ideas and tips. Love reading your blog.
Thank you, I hope to visit one day
Good morning and Happy Thursday:
I was wondering if you could share information regarding the shoes you are wearing with the linen outfit and simple hoop earrings.
Thank you have a great day and thanks for all of the helpful suggestions š
They are wedge sandals I bought early in the season that unfortunately have sold out.
LOVE the outfit you are wearing in the ‘earrings’ post. You look wonderful! Very ‘Diane Keaton’!
Thank you
Super suggestions, Jennifer! As to summer scarves; I’ve worn them in lieu of a statement necklace by twisting and knotting in the center (works best with very light weight fabric/length dependent upon size of scarf). Also to dress up an otherwise plain hand/shoulder/ bag, fold a square scarf into a triangle and taut position on one side of the bag by threading through on each side of its hardware (or handles). Re bracelets because I have a very small wrist and its a challenge to find ones of a comfortable fit, three of my favourite are actually beaded hair scrunchies. -Brenda-
Oops, that should have read — ….. plain hand/shoulder/cross body bag ….. -Brenda-
Great ideas Brenda!
Love all your accessories. I can’t seem to find a hat small enough so usually end up wearing a golf hat. Mostly because I play golf and they are adjustable. I am very petite so I always wear earrings but then just a bracelet or necklace but not usually both. Love how you use scarves in the summer, great ideas.
I swear by this simple hat sizing tape Rose! Under $10 and fixes all hats so they fit you perfectly.
https://shopstyle.it/l/bwxZL
Thank you Jennifer. That tape looks perfect for hats!
I have seen other fashion blogs but I find that this one is the best. I will stay with this one.
Welcome Ana
I try to keep a big straw or similar hat on whenever in the sun ! have to! I’m pretty fair and being in the sun too long gives me a headache. I also use sun screen or sun block every day unless it’s raining and I’m not going to be outside.
Thanks too, for sharing scarf ideas…..they certainly will help me bolster some of my tired summer outfits..
I get a headache from the sun too. Happy Thursday Paulette. I hope youāre well.
Love all of your suggestions as usual. Thank you!