These 14 Semi-Expensive Summer Accessories Turn Plain Clothes Into Impossibly Chic Outfits
It’s the little things, my friends.
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by The Candidly Team
Here’s the truth:
Truly gorgeous accessories can make your Target haul look designer.
But you have to choose them carefully, and sometimes yes, that means investing.
One necklace or pair of shoes can mean the difference between looking like the best dressed woman in the room, or looking meh and boring.
And to prove this assertion, we took photos of ourselves wearing basic outfits, and then we took photos again wearing 2-3 extremely thoughtful accessories.
We feel, quite strongly, that if we’re going to put in the time to have decent clothes, we should take that last little step to turn them from clothes, into outfits.
Here’s 4 clothes —-> outfits we created. Thoughts?
1. The Simple Summer Dress
THE OUTFIT: We start with a lovely, quite flattering white summer dress from Madewell, which is basically a blank canvas to transform into whatever look we like. And then we get to the real fun, by adding a color that looks good on everyone…
WHAT WE ADDED:
The Maycie Asymmetric T-Strap Sandal
Like a poppy red lip, these sandals have a classic and commanding chicness to them that makes any neutral thing we wear more gorgeous. And we appreciate that because we still can’t for the life of us do a poppy red lip that doesn’t age us a decade.
Price: $118
Clare V. Heather Sunglasses
If a French film star were a pair of sunglasses. Wear these, and you don’t need a lick of color anywhere else to excite.
Price: $180
Free People Bridgette Bandana
Even though most of you probably aren’t incorporating your furry plus one into your outfit á la Elle Woods (and as we did below), this bandana also makes a perfect “human” accessory. We tie it to our tote handles and over a messy top knot on days we’re not about to do our hair after putting together a whole outfit.
Price: $18
And here it is all put together:
WHY IT WORKS: Just a few select moments of red, as the fashion people say, turns the dress from wearing us into us wearing the dress. Which is really just a fancy way of saying we make it our own. Styled, unique, happy, and chic, chic, chic.
SHOP THE LOOK
2. Same Dress With Different Styling
THE OUTFIT: Yes, it’s the same dress, but with new accessories, it becomes something completely different.
WHAT WE ADDED:
Sézane Justine Maxi Basket bag
An enormous basket bag that contains the junk drawer that is our purse makes every boring outfit we wear look romantic … and French. In fact, it’s one of a few things every chic French woman uses during the summer, especially on vacations. This one is also from one of our favorite French brands.
Price: $390
Favorite Daughter The Heartbreak Kitten Heel
This collab near made us cry. Our go-to modern brand for our absolute best staples meets the nostalgic, comfy shoe brand of the 60s. You won’t believe how many things they match or the compliments that come pouring in when you wear them. Plus, the heel is so low and everything is so cushioned, we get all the points of wearing heels with none of the pain.
Price: $250
Clare V. Heart Collar
Yes, you could attach this to your purse as a handle, but we prefer it as an over-scaled statement necklace that feels standalone without being too loud.
Price: $125
Jenny Bird Gia Anklet
Some of you will die for this. Others will need to actually try it on to experience how it elevates your entire look without you putting in a single ounce of effort.
And here is a closer look at it in action:
Price: $198
Once again, let’s put it all together:
WHY IT WORKS: This is one of those balancing acts where each thing is somehow both understated and statement at the same time. This is in large part due to the natural materials and textures, the wooden hearts, the calf hair sandal, the basket tote - just a few choice things allowing us to feel unique and like what we’re wearing is an expression of us but not like we went overboard and over-accessorized.
SHOP THE LOOK
3. The Jeans And Tank
THE OUTFIT: What is simpler than a black tank and blue jeans? It’s one of the go-to things we wear most days. Granted, it helps if it’s the single best-fitting tank with one of our favorite pairs of straight leg jeans. But otherwise, it can be a snooze. However, as far as accessories go, the possibilities are endless. So here’s what we did with it.
WHAT WE ADDED:
Banana Republic Factory Straw Fedora
The exact hat our Editor-in-Chief, Audie, is wearing in the photo below is no longer sold but this is a very similar one we throw on on day 4 of not wanting to wash out our blow out, and honestly, we look chicer than we did on day 1.
Price: $25
Clare V. Moyen Messenger
We have called this our favorite bag in existence. The color and weaving selection are dizzying. Every single one makes any outfit look 3X chicer but we’re partial to the cream because it’s classic while still standing out.
Price: $345 - $385
Gucci Platform Slide Sandal
We feel these shoes speak for themselves. Which is the whole point, no? If you wear this shoe, you don’t need to think about anything else, and that is what defines investment pieces like this. It’s wearable art we treasure forever.
Price: $750
And here’s what it looks like when. we add everything to that very basic look from before:
WHY IT WORKS: Unbelievably easy to replicate but suddenly everything looks luxe. There’s variance in textures, prints that are so chic they don’t feel in your face. The whole look is a tiny triumph we create on our way out the door.
SHOP THE LOOK
4. The Black Linen Set
THE OUTFIT: We could live in a linen set all summer. This one is very affordable from Gap this one has such great, flattering shape that makes you feel cute without feeling naked (as we so often do in shorts). It’s very, very simple, and without accessories, is frankly boring, but the cut is very tailored, so once those accessories are added, it’s one of your chicest. go-to summer looks.
WHAT WE ADDED:
Madewell The Dessa Toe Ring Sandal
The minimalism lets you do something bold like sport a gold ring on the toe. We wear these instead of our slobby flip flops out to dinner, and it’s completely changed how we dress in warmer months.
Price: $98
Jenny Bird Constance Wrap Chain
This is such a shining example of how adding length and layering, even with the simplest. pieces can transform an outfit. We layered this versatile necklace with THIS chain we wear daily, also from Jenny Bird, and everything suddenly comes together.
Price: $138
Aritzia Sunbeam Hat
This hat comes in no fewer than 4 brim sizes and colorways, so you can find the exact one that looks most gorgeous with your face shape and skintone.
Price: $78
Jenny Bird The Dane Anklet
For those not ready to dip a toe into the more dramatic anklet above (see. what we did. there?), this one is so delicate and gorgeous and still manages to make even a high neck top and trouser shorts into something alluring.
Price: $118
And here it is as an ensemble:
WHY IT WORKS: We kept it subtle by choosing delicate pieces that have length and shape and fine-looking materials. The result is a complete look that makes Gap suddenly seem designer.
SHOP THE LOOK
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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