Hi Readers!
Welcome to another ✨ Sunday Styling Series ✨!
This is part II of our summer series on how to create styling interest when it’s HOT out and its going to be a GOOD one!
(part I focused on clothes styling here + part III will be out next Sunday)
Before we get into the tips, I wanted to share that I’ll be moving towards a paid option in July. Free posts will be available through June and I’ll continue to share 2-3 free posts a month. Details on the subscription benefits can be found here. Thank you to those who have already pledged and I am so grateful to everyone for the support through your likes, comments and shares❤️ I hope you will continue to subscribe, whether you upgrade or not!
Today, I’m sharing some tips on ACCESSORIES!
Accessories are my favorite way to create a more styled look. I can honestly wear the same tee and jeans on repeat and just switch out my accessories and feel like a brand new person each day. (…should this be an upcoming post?)
Accessories are what I like to call low-risk choices:
You can buy with a bit more frivolity and it doesn’t require as much thought (slash anguish?) if you want to move on in a season or two. Yes, there are high end and designer options that are more of an investment but in general, you can find great accessories at an affordable price.
You can dip your toe into different trends and feel comfortable with bolder choices while not have them overpower or sway too far outside your core style
And in the summer when we are more likely to crave easy breezy simple no-fuss clothing, they can effortlessly make the outfit.
ps - I ended up having a lot to cover so I’ll focus on JEWELRY + BAGS today and share styling ideas for SHOES + OTHER (belts, scarves, hair) next Sunday!
Some JEWELRY styling ideas to try -
If you want to add TEXTURE, layer up different lengths, colors and materials to add depth to a bare summer look. I’m usually a pretty minimal jewelry person except in the Summer where I go full-on explosion with colors, shapes and an arm full of bangles!
I love this styling tip as you can really switch it up based on your mood - go feminine with pearls one day, funky with colorful beads and charms the next, refined with gold layers another day. There’s really no right or wrong way to do it! (credits: third image is from content creator Oyule Muchura who is fantastic at the jewelry stacks!; others are random phone saves)
If you want to add STRUCTURE, add a single sculpted and defined piece of jewelry. This will add angles and definition to your look.
Look for architectural or linear shapes - it can come in the form of an earring, bracelet, ring or necklace. In the bottom photos, you can see how the necklace creates a focal point and adds definition to an oversized or more shapeless silhouette. (credits: pinterest, charlotte chesnais, alighieri, elsa peretti) A quick edit of some of my favorites on the market: 1| Etsy (love the pop of red!) 2| Bagatiba Dome 3| Ribbon Cord 4| Red Agate 5| Charlotte Chesnais Limited Edition $$$ 6| Ok, this might be my best rec yet - I kind of wanted to gatekeep it tbh, its so good! A great price point, unique and customizable! If you want to add CONTRAST, choose a color or finish thats different than the rest of your look.
To create a higher impact, do a contrast color with a tonal/monochrome look. I think it still works nicely if you are wearing 2-3 colors like the photos on the left. (credit: random phone saves, Facettes Studio, Sezane) Some BAG styling ideas to try -
Juxtaposition - play with sizing to create balance and provide contrast to your outfit
With more oversized fits, I like going for a smaller bag with defined angles to provide structure and balance. Bonus points for texture! With a more bare look or a “smaller” fit, go oversized! It adds contrast and helps create more “volume” to the look. I think it does what layering does to an outfit in the Fall. And if you want to go oversized + oversized, do it!
Minimal Outfit + Impactful Bag Combo - in the Summer, create ease to your dressing by sticking to breezy neutrals and minimal silhouettes and let the bag do the work
1 | Play with colors and patterns for your neutral looks (THE Carven bag); metallic would be great here too! 2 + 3| A raffia or french market bag is an affordable way to add instant chic to a simple look - look for interesting shapes or patterns to create an impact. 4| I love in the last image how the casual raffia tote is worn with a more elevated night-out look for juxtaposition. turn your raffia tote into a clutch and use it as your oversized piece for a look with more skin (juxtaposition! chic!) another great example - love the oversized simple shirt dress with the textured round bag | similar here and here Shop my mini summer bag edit here
I hope this inspires you in your own closet or while shopping for wardrobe gaps and seasonal refreshes!
Have a beautiful Sunday and stay tuned for part III next week where we’ll cover shoes & everything else!
xx
Angie
Always love a good list of hands-on tips!