Summer is the season where accessories aren’t just add‑ons—they’re headliners. From sandy toes to sun‑kissed wrists, the right bag, scarf, or statement earring can turn a simple linen dress into a *look* that lives rent‑free in your Instagram feed. This guide shows you how to style summer accessories—from polished neutrals to vacation‑ready glam—so you can step into sunlit days with confidence and soul. Ready? Let’s dive in.
1. The Everyday Tote: Elevated & Effortless
The humble beach tote is this season’s ultimate sidekick: practical, chic, and never overdone. Go beyond the basic straw basket—instead, seek styles that lean elevated. The Woven Raffia Tote with Leather Straps is a perfect example, marrying rustic texture with polished structure.
To style it, keep the rest of your outfit breezy: white eyelet sundress, chunky espadrilles, and tortoise‑shell sunglasses. Let the bag handle do the talking—drape a narrow silk scarf on one handle (try a berry‑tone paisley) to elevate your palette. Bonus moment: when you’re carrying sunscreen and iced frappe around town, you’ll already look intentionally chic.
Price: $31.99
Shop Similar: Woven Raffia Tote with Leather Straps – a must-have featured in this post.
2. Statement Earrings — Size Doesn’t Matter, Presence Does
Nothing says summer like bold earrings that frame your face with sunshine energy. Gold hoops studded with mother‑of‑pearl or oversized resin shapes in melon, mustard, or sea‑glass green make every cement sidewalk and open‑air café feel like your runway. Try the Gradient Glitter Hoop Earrings for punchy, lightweight shape that begs to be seen.
Styling tip: let these earrings speak for you. Pair them with a breezy linen shirt and silk camisole, tuck your hair behind your ears, and focus on clean neckline styling. They won’t compete with sunglasses—they’ll *enhance* them. Pop your lips with coral tint, and you’re camera‑ready for golden hour strolls.
3. Layered Necklaces: Beach‑Friendly, Not Overwhelming
Layering necklaces is no longer about clashing metals or overdoing. Instead, think delicate chains in graduated lengths—pearls, coin pendants, and shell‑inspired charms. Wear 2–3 pieces together so they drift against your skin with seaside ease.
Start serious with a simple gold chain and add a freshwater drop or tiny bar pendant. Let this be your nod to your morning walk by the surf—not flashy, just hinting at texture and glow. Compliment it with a pair of dainty ear studs and chilled manicure so your collarbone moment feels serene, not staged.
4. Scarves & Hair Accessories: Woven Stories
Summer scarves are more than neck statements—they’re multipurpose styling heroes that can double as head wraps, handbag decor, or top ties. Go for febric with a pop of cherry, butterfly, or tie‑dyed pink, and you’ll wear sunshine in unexpected ways.
Try a silk scarf tied around a messy bun or wrapped into a low pony, letting tendrils frame your face. Or fold it into your tote handle, letting the ends dance as you walk. Bonus DIY: twist it into a bow and wear it as a halter swimsuit top for an instant resort‑wear update. (Check our internal guide on 6 Elevated Summer Capsule Wardrobe Pieces for more creative looks.)
5. Footwear That Feels Like Vacation
Your footwear says everything about your summer mood. Forget overly formal heels—summer is for airy mules, raffia platforms, and cushioned wrapped slides. Think Palm‑leaf espadrilles you can sink barefoot into sand, or jelly sandals with pearlescent beads you can rinse at the end of the beach day.
To style, pair neutral strappy sandals with painted toes that echo your bag’s color. Or go bold with turquoise platforms styled with a white linen set and turquoise sunglasses. Remember: cohesive color tie‑ins across small accessories (like nail color and ankle bracelets) lift your entire look.
6. Sunglasses with Soul
Sunglasses are your summer identity—classic Ray‑Ban still looks crisp, but look to pops of coral, shell-white frames, or tinted bohemian round shapes for personality. To style, match your frames with your earrings or bag trim. Clean your lenses frequently—your accessory deserves to shine as much as your outfit.
7. The Magic of Minimal Metallics
Finally, sprinkle in pure tonal metal sparkle—anything rose‑gold or brushed gold feels instant luxe. Consider practicing restraint—choose one or two pieces like a slim cuff bracelet or a saddle‑ring stack. These details catch sunlit shimmer without distracting from your flowy linen or beach rompers.
8. Tote Inserts and Travel‑Smart Styling
A summer tote carries more than cosmetics—it’s your mobile safe haven. Pop in a neutral cotton pouch to hold sunscreen, gloss, and sunnies. Then, place smaller accessories like hair clips or live‑edge shells in mesh zipper organizers. This small layering trick keeps your bag organized and adds a textural nod to your styling.
9. Tissue-Soft Fabric Pairings
Accessoriessoften shine brightest against the right canvas. Silk, linen, and coton‑voile are summer staples because they reflect heat and photograph beautifully under sunlight. When wearing oversized hoops, high-shine sandals, or layered necklaces, let your fabric palette be airy white, sandy beige, or pastel blue—they let your accessories sing.
10. A Final Summer-Accessory Checklist
Here’s your seasonal accessory hit list:
- Woven tote with handle scarf
- Statement earrings (resin, shell, or pearl‑accented)
- Layered delicate necklaces (2–3 pieces)
- Silk scarf for hair or bag
- Comfortable sandals or raffia espadrilles
- Colored‑frame sunnies
- Minimalist metal jewelry (cuff, ring stack)
- Tote‑friendly pouch + travel‑size beauty stash
Real Style Test: A Weekend Walkthrough
Last weekend, I styled my beach picnic look around the woven raffia tote and resin statement earrings. I added a thin gold lariat necklace and a silk beige scarf knotted around my bun. Paired with white cotton shorts and turquoise slides, the outfit felt fresh, cohesive, and entirely summer‑ready. I snapped a few flat‑lay shots near sunlit sand—and the bag + accessories gave me all the resort energy I wanted without over‑thought dressing.
Final Touch—and Why It Matters
Summer looks fade fast—but your accessory approach doesn’t have to. When you plan around statement pieces that blend practicality with polish, you end up with outfits less dependent on what’s trendy and more focused on what you love. Summer accessory styling is about freedom: freedom to mix textures, play with context, and reflect your mood with small touches that count.
