Favorite styling hacks?

nemosmom

I am looking for ways to add a little bit of interest to summer outfits. Besides cuffing your pants/jeans and adding belts or jewelry, do you have any favorite styling hacks that you use to add a little oomph to your basic looks?

5 years ago

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from smittie

DeAnna

Active Member

Its hot where I live so I add earrings. They are light and do not add anything fussy to my outfit.

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Scarves. You can wear washable ones soaked in water or even insect repellent to keep comfortable outside on a hot day.

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Another is a very lightweight topper or even a sleeveless vest over something sleeveless. I like linen or open lace toppers.
I have also started using very light weight ponchos to give more umph to an outfit.

5 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

Hair accessories are big right now. I use large barrettes to put my hair in a half up do, a scarf to tie in a pony tail and decorative bobby pins. I also make sure that my hands and feet are well groomed. I am not wearing polish on my nails these days but there is that option. I sometimes add a ring to my right hand. I always wear my wedding ring. I keep my make up natural but it does add polish as Angie says.

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WHITE PEARLS

Fun bags, and interesting hair.

5 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Ditto Angie!
Also a Signature scent

5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Being in a hot and sticky climate, this is a challenge. I rely on interesting or trendy footwear (metallics are my friend!) and bags, jewelry, and sometimes a hat. My sunglasses are also a big part of this equation. One could also say that the blue streaks in my hair are especially integral to my summer style, even though they are there year-round.

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES, Taylor. Plus signature scent, and high five.

5 years ago

Ginger

Veteran

I'm with Style Fan - my hair. I usually put my hair up in summer, but there's a lot of variation in how I do it. And I add hair flowers or a bow, depending on the style and how I feel. When I wear it down, I still have it styled, perhaps with a pair of barrettes or a flower.

5 years ago

Anonymous

I much prefer my summer outfits to my bulky cluttery winter ones!
I wear more jewelry in summer-earrings, necklace, bracelet, sometimes ring (scarves are too hot). Sunnies. Lots of pattern and texture.

5 years ago

ChristelJ

Veteran

Big straw tote bags and straw sun hats. For me, tinted lip gloss really helps brighten up an outfit, too.

5 years ago

SarahD8

Veteran

Lots of pattern and color for me. Especially colored footwear.

Despite my recent difficulties with tops-for-skirts, I actually find summer dressing easier than cold-weather dressing.

5 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Rolling sleeves of button downs up above elbows.
Scarves as headbands.
Sun hats

5 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I love summer dressing.

Earrings.
Bracelets
Hats
sunglasses
Toe nail polish

Pattern is fun too and practical I find.

I avoid tops or dresses that need a cami underneath, or pants needing a belt.

5 years ago

Irina

Veteran

Accessories, bags and shoes.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

This is one reason I want a kimono, like the short cocoon ones at Anthropologie

Anthropologie

Rose Bush Kimono

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Anthropologie

Bl-nk | Anthropologie Adelaide Kimono

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5 years ago

Bennett

Veteran

Besides cuffing, belts, or jewelry - hmmm........ I would say a summery toenail color, sandals in a statement color or your favorite metallic, a woven straw hat and/or tote, great sunglasses.....

I do have one 'summer only' bangle bracelet. It is silver and very thin and larger in diameter than usual. I believe I had it made by an etsy shop. I wear it just below my elbow (not above) where it stays stuck and wear a couple of my usual silver wrist bracelets on the same arm.

5 years ago

Anonymous

I add a kimono or a sheer knit poncho-ish thing I discovered and can't stop wearing : a pedicure is mandatory, as are statement sunglasses and lipstick. I do not , however, wear all of these things at once

I'm often curious why I don't see kimonos here on the forum - sidenote - as although they aren't necessarily a trend piece, they are really a classic for summer, and SO flattering and easy to wear. They add that 3rd piece that is so hard to do well in the heat. I have them in a couple of different lengths , and use them for everything from a swimsuit coverup to the third piece with jeans/shorts/joggers and a t. Some are lined with a belt, others are sheerer silk and without a tie belt.

5 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I completely minimize all my routines and styling in the summer, so I'll be of no help! I have a couple of summer-only hats that are fun to pull out. No scarves, even lightweight ones, much past Memorial Day. Too much fuss and fabric for me. I prefer short necklaces that fill the space of a slight v or scoop neck (or shirt collar). No pearls for me, just pendants. I have enough visible tattoos in the summer (arms, legs, feet) that adding anything else feels like overkill. Kiddo has been on my case to paint my toenails, lol. Haven't done it yet this year because I've been on a foot cream and nail oil kick.

5 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

LisaP, show us pics!

LaP, what does nail oil do?

I like my summer look to be as spare as possible. So dress, sandals, sunglasses and clear polish.

5 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have been wearing my glass beads to cover up a bit of skin. Pedicure, which I normally skip in the winter, hat of course!

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Yes! A pile of pearls. A piece of your outfit that is like a scarf, patterned and pretty or elegant adds instant interest.

5 years ago

Helena

Veteran

A smart hat, a pedi, and I tend to wear a few brighter colours in summer. You've got such gorgeous hair you could probably play with some different cute bun/ponytail styles too.

5 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

elpgal, I use a nail/cuticle oil to help strengthen the nails and prevent cracking. I mix 1:1 almond and jojoba oil, then add a couple drops of tea tree and rosemary essential oils. I keep it in a little eyedropper bottle and apply with a q-tip.

5 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

I focus on bags, sunglasses and shoes to add interest to summer clothes. I also play with colour combinations, so if I am wearing a blue blouse with blue jeans, I would wear lilac bag, belt To lift the basic outfit.

5 years ago

nuancedream

Veteran

Statement earrings are a "must" for me in any season, especially summer when a necklace/pendant can be too fussy. When I'm not at work, fun, comfortable sandals are essential to my look. During the summer, it's coral and orange shades on my lips, fingernails, and toenails.

5 years ago

smittie

Veteran

A large-brimmed hat and unique sunglasses.

5 years ago

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