Thanks to the erratic weather you may not be feeling very summery but I hate to break it to you: this is it. We’re not going to get to press play again on June 2024 so you better start leaning into July.
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At this time of the year, even if the weather does play ball, you’re probably second-guessing your existing summer wardrobe. Maybe you’ve mooched around the high street and are now flirting with the idea of a new flouncy dress. Or maybe you’ve added a fresh crisp linen co-ord to your online wish list. But hold on. May I divert your attention to the accessories section?
Unlike, say, a maxi dress that is limited to beachside restaurants, most summer accessories don’t come with set boundaries. Chunky sandals are as good for strolling the cobblestones of a historic town as they are for commuting. A jazzy necklace can detract from a crimson sunburnt nose as well as brightening up the most basics of T-shirts.
So the right accessories offer bang for your buck and an on-trend spin to those pieces you may be thinking feel a little dated. Gen Z-approved baseball caps and jauntily shaped sunglasses will detract from that suncream-stained dress and threadbare denim cut-offs. Here are some ideas to get you started. Chloe MacDonnell
Sunglasses
Frames with main character energy will add pep to even the simplest of summer looks. Think: pairs that are oversized, but also cat-eye, square and oval. Try zhushing a T-shirt dress with acid green Le Specs (below) or hide puffy eyes under Accessorize’s equally puffed-up pastel blue pair (below).
![Pink, £90, Quay Australia](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/ff4645e6ac43f5370ebd408caf0cd16dbd99d37d/0_0_1473_876/master/1473.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Pink, £90, Quay Australia
![Black, £9.99, H&M](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/85843180535d99c2155e81d4520214e6a2e54477/0_0_1079_642/master/1079.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Black, £9.99, H&M
![Green, £118.16, Le Specs](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/074f8db1e49b07c52ac13513252f038072dfffc9/5_0_1355_813/master/1355.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Green, £118.27, Le Specs
![Brown, £49.99, Zara](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/1c0d29ca165f351289db908d616af8c16b18390a/0_0_1264_688/master/1264.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Brown, £49.99, Zara
![Pink, £50, Izipizi sunglasses hanging artfully on a coin slot for a viewfinder telescope at a beac](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/29d547a77cc94e46c5d1cddd317ebf8643970d12/0_0_4912_6144/master/4912.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Pink, £50, Izipizi, above
![Speckled, £165, Joseph](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/7da6f318398c8cfccac42c71ecc974c3fc32d215/0_0_1152_666/master/1152.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Speckled, £165, Joseph
![Blue, £17, Accessorize](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/342b27cc0c26757444771f2284b1ad2a0d852356/0_0_1332_792/master/1332.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Blue, £8.50, Accessorize
![Amber, £99, Jigsaw](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/7443a56973c0e7acb51164c2723abcfcbb0e6b03/0_0_812_380/master/812.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Amber, £99, Jigsaw
![Salmon, £69.95, Massimo Dutti](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/ec7b72d065d93353c133d761cc59a52131e8be24/0_0_986_586/master/986.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Salmon, £69.95, Massimo Dutti
Hats
Casual baseball caps are an understated foil to the statement-sleeved dresses that have held the past few summers at their mercy. Outdoorsy bucket hats, seaside straw or kooky crochet will add a more relaxed counterpoint to dresses bought for weddings that need dressing down to work at a barbecue.
![Bucket hat on table by minigolf course](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/59b33effa72e4508c554f91e42762e3b344d8bb5/0_0_4912_6144/master/4912.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Bucket hat, £199, Helen Kaminski
![Bead trim, £32, Free People](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/8dbc57a23c22124dd745c0a5f84a89edeb861d6a/0_0_1079_1079/master/1079.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Bead trim, £32, Free People
![Striped raffia, £25, Marks and Spencer](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/4475bbd3704c3d36e19e04a3e4bf9d31c40e4511/0_0_1286_1286/master/1286.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Striped raffia, £25, Marks & Spencer
![Brown cap, £70, BA&SH](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/78a1c4c98a8fbba75f37ae352eab8871ad3ad4d8/0_0_750_750/master/750.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Brown cap, £56, BA&SH
![Crochet, £22.99, Mango](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/17df68fe9a778052a3dfdf5f314b0abf8e443ede/0_0_811_811/master/811.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Crochet, £22.99, Mango
![Denim bucket hat, £60, Carhartt](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b9ba1fb5dbedbd14ba2f6688a7d233f2ba285eec/0_0_1079_1079/master/1079.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Denim bucket hat, £60, Carhartt
![Green woven, £28, Oliver Bonas](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/44f41c70d9729e1902a98ecb422a9f112971d6ef/0_0_970_970/master/970.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Green woven, £28, Oliver Bonas
![Striped cap, £45, Gant](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d075cf2acd80ac472baaa9424f7bfe491186efe0/0_0_983_982/master/983.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Striped cap, £27, Gant
![Cream with suns, £45, LF Markey](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0f115c8db060aa05697327af510dccbc77515c38/0_0_958_959/master/958.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Cream with suns, £45, LF Markey
Bags
Summer is the time to break traditional styling rules – wear beach-ready raffia or razzmatazz -pink beads with smart dresses, or clash elevated satin pouches with dressed-down denim. If you have tired ditsy dresses that need some updating, go for something more directional – architectural, even – like the handsome M&S handbag (below).
![Striped green bag hanging on yellow outdoor chair](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/dc7137bd889e93c07d3f2646b593595ae1c7ca43/0_0_6144_4912/master/6144.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Striped tote, £35, French Connection, above
![Pale blue leather, £129, Massimo Dutti](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/8bc42bedaa3c61b3772471b417e994ff276b787d/0_0_1076_1075/master/1076.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Blue leather, £129, Massimo Dutti
![Ice blue, £50 by Kavu from Outsiders Store](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/932dcb41288d6b03b5bc9daf25d696dbd73035c7/0_0_959_959/master/959.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Ice blue, £50 by Kavu from Outsiders store
![Cream and tan, £39.50, Marks and Spencer](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/7358d5d22775e22079f6f4023b997de71e18820a/0_0_1187_1187/master/1187.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Cream and tan, £39.50, Marks & Spencer
![Pale pink, £80, Anthropologie](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/6ccfc9674e7ff1f1330c2c03d8d6035592bc2473/0_0_836_836/master/836.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Pale pink, £80, Anthropologie
![Lime green pouch, £128, Hai x Whistles](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3846d6daaa17912f0f496f8d6013644bee965f1b/0_0_917_917/master/917.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Lime green pouch, £128, Hai x Whistles
![Orange tote, £79.99, Mango](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/ab7d42fcef5fbe21f47f63ee6df0bdd30c9ca937/0_0_967_966/master/967.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Orange tote, £79.99, Mango
![La Dolce Vita, £85, The Jacksons](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d105913c42484a44e0e0ac0347bd5740ce79212a/0_0_968_968/master/968.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Jute, £85, The Jacksons
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![Pink beaded, £100, Rixo](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/77a17e3e02f76d13b21f649c6173236585fccf3e/0_0_913_913/master/913.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Pink beaded, £120, Rixo
![Fringed raffia, £57, Arket](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/7b22e9343f3ca1c71a83a3c92c4a47aa3876921b/0_0_1207_1207/master/1207.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Fringed raffia, £57, Arket
![Green trim canvas, £95, & Other Stories](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/4dedecd31acf475568e267c1b374a5477b6b6ec3/0_0_1496_615/master/1496.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Green trim canvas, £67, & Other Stories
Jewellery
Almost any summer dress can be made 2024-ready with playful jewellery in this era of souvenir-chic. Even if you don’t have plans for a trip away, you can still channel the beach bum vibe via River Island’s coral necklace (below) and Zara’s fishy catch of the day (below).
![Saturday magazine JULY 6 Accessories feature DSC4204 Photographer: David Newby Styling: Melanie Wilkinson Hair and make up: Sam Cooper at Carol Hayes Management using Living Proof and Lancôme Model: Amelia Swaby at Milk Necklace, £22.99, Zara](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/af9cafa5115e7d409932f0459b060b09a6e9b7f8/0_0_6144_4912/master/6144.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Fish pendant, £22.99, Zara, above
![Rainbow bracelet, £95, Rachel Jackson London](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/e39a7a4ea8c1e61629035979f3ce501a030b19ad/0_0_1064_1063/master/1064.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Rainbow bracelet £95, Rachel Jackson
![Pearl bracelet, £16, John Lewis](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f77b38bdb019d515b30400c64e58b7aa0ce603b4/0_0_1008_1008/master/1008.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Pearl bracelet, £16, John Lewis
![Beaded necklace, £95, Essentiel Antwerp](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a2e8cce43e135facf9c29ad5898b2478fc61b958/0_0_995_995/master/995.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Beaded necklace, £95, Essential Antwerp
![Orange necklace, £16, River Island](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3f3cad0efd7f1877a3a0ced8495706dcfffc1abf/0_0_1453_1452/master/1453.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Orange necklace, £16, River Island
![Emerald necklace, £99, Ottoman Hands](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/768d8699917ab8fada6e0bbb766f90bd4475d9bf/0_0_1389_1388/master/1389.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Emerald necklace, £99, Ottoman Hands
![Beaded earrings, £19.50, Oliver Bonas](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0055fc7d5734c57585311484ab5039e644811b82/0_0_993_993/master/993.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Beaded earrings, £19.50, Oliver Bonas
![Enamel ring, £105, Missoma](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c96b99584f180ccc419bb9b1fbbb95a9bf6a68fe/0_0_769_769/master/769.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Enamel ring, £105, Missoma
![Tassel earrings £35, Boden](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/e9148ffa541d81d53e9c15ff82b563b315142192/0_0_1112_1111/master/1112.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Tassel earrings, £35, Boden
![Gold ring, £28, Orelia](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/51c3a869cc118ac31f5b99fcf6fbd76210c1947f/0_0_844_844/master/844.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Gold ring, £28, Orella
![Woven earrings, £19, Phase Eight](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/47fb7881502d660e2702a6d554c354f03eeeb83f/0_0_1208_1207/master/1208.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Woven earrings, £12, Phase Eight
Shoes
We’ve all heard of ‘wrong shoe theory’ by now, right? It doesn’t work better than with sandals. That 2021 prairie dress? Pair it with contrasting silver flats (below). Beaded styles add a boho spin to any linen, while colourful Birkenstocks (below) clash perfectly with broderie anglaise frocks.
![Rope lace ups on a stainless steel post with sea in background](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b3690fd691f2e9545fd555bcb8124679d40c3eb0/0_0_4912_6144/master/4912.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Rope lace-up, £16.50, Asos, above
![Pale blue, £45, Birkenstock](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/fe36358da891f5f663c2e9946dadd082d942d514/0_0_1164_600/master/1164.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Pale blue, £45, Birkenstock
![Brown thick straps, £90, Dune London](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/6be6e7680460fff9a472f8aa70991eacaa528e6e/0_0_997_570/master/997.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Brown thick straps, £90, Dune
![Green, £55.99, Zara](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b4796f7c5af745ca020b5087110f26c174ca9e2c/0_0_1487_821/master/1487.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Green, £55.99, Zara
![Shell detail, £35, River Island](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a0c56555e60249fbf2f60769ad437a10220d9116/0_0_1118_483/master/1118.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Shell detail, £35, River Island
![White sliders, £115, Cos](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/751566399d81f35c02df0ee0a95a3674a627661d/0_0_1071_490/master/1071.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: White sliders, £115, Cos
![Blue multi strap, £195, Ancient Greek Sandals](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/e364f7614b9150570e60ec76f66ecda4895beb98/0_0_1113_529/master/1113.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Blue multi strap, £195, Ancient Greek Sandals
![Silver, £19.99, H&M](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b45574707372a659481ff775fd2fe9a9fa5134c0/0_0_1049_688/master/1049.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Silver, £19.99, H&M
![Brown braided, £158, Reiss](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/91cc5d4041b362491789bc420cba9e70f9169ac2/0_0_1041_496/master/1041.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Brown braided, £158, Reiss
![Paisley print, £135, Penelope Chilvers](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d618fd0441a1123fd167988512dc0eb49ad47534/0_0_1334_772/master/1334.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Paisley print, £135, Penelope Chilvers
![Brown ankle tie, £32, Next](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c38a7e71473854d20fe9c436ed7ea543f367b87f/0_0_1188_735/master/1188.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
BUY: Brown ankle tie, £32, Next
Lead photograph
Model: Amelia Swaby at Milk. Hair and makeup Sam Cooper at Carol Hayes Management using Living Proof and Lancôme. Hat, £57, Mother Denim. Dress, £35, Rokit. Earrings, €100, Crystal Haze. Pink bead necklace, £128, Monica Vinader. Evil eye torque, €150, and purple bear necklace, €250, both Crystal Haze. Fish necklace, £17.99, Zara. Coral bangle, £22.99, Zara. Green bracelet, £178, Monica Vinader. Star bag, £49.99, Zara. Sandals, £159, Penelope Chilvers. Woven bag, £190, Essentiel Antwerp. Yellow sunglasses, £120, Bonnie Clyde.
All prices correct at time of going to press