This summer, get ready – for the accessories that you once relied on have had a kooky makeover.
It will come as no surprise to anybody that we’re yet to familiarise ourselves with the It accessories for this summer.
Having spent far too much time stationed firmly in our tracksuit bottoms and resigning our handbags to the dusty corners of our wardrobes, accessories (unless you’re referring to slippers and face masks, that is) have hardly been the talk of the fashion town. But that’s set to change as we gear up for summer and its shenanigans once more.
The accessories you once relied upon have been swapped out for a line-up of kooky takes on everything from the 90s lanyard – this summer, it’s about taking hands free to a whole new level – and the same era’s bucket hat, among a clutch of other fashion set-approved add-ons.
These are the quintet of summer accessories that promise to spice up all of your summer ensembles.
1) Mood rings
Ditch any previous connotation you had about mood rings, because they are having a high-fashion do-over. No longer just a holiday souvenir (was any seaside getaway complete without a dolphin mood ring?), designers Roxanne First and Charlotte Simone have reimagined the iconic 90s accessory. From sad to silly, horny to happy the brightly coloured offerings will undoubtedly bring back the most nostalgic of memories.
Stack yours in with your everyday classics for a sweet reminder of the good old days.
Roxanne First x Charlotte Simone mood ring
Roxanne First x Charlotte Simone mood ring Handmade in Greece from enamel and 22ct gold plated vermeil, Roxanne First and Charlotte Simone are bringing back the mood ring in style.
Theodora Warre star pinky ring
Theodora Warre pinky ring Bring a celestial touch to any look with this star-studded lapis lazuli pinky ring from London-based jewellery designer Theodora Warre.
Little Sky Stone heart ring
Little Sky Stone heart ring With extendable sizing and garnett set stone, relive your best 90s life via Little Sky Stone.
2) Sunglasses chains
Once the preserve of Dame Edna and, well, just Dame Edna, sunglass chains have had a revamp ahead of summer. Not only are they the most practical way of ensuring you don’t sit on or scratch your sunnies, this new breed of sunglass chain is a new and inventive way of also adding texture to your #NeckMess game.
MatchesFashion and Browns now stock them, while Le Specs and independent brand Talis Chains are the go-to among those in the know. The best part is, if the sun refuses to put her hat on again, these new gen chains can also double as a hands-free chain for your face mask. Win-win!
Talis Chains Mini Rainbow Drops phone chain
Talis Chains Mini Rainbow Drops phone chain Designed on an 18-carat gold chain, this freshwater pearl and rainbow beaded chain is a colourful embrace of one of the handiest fashion trends we’ve seen in a while.
Kaleos pink sunglasses chain
Kaleos pink sunglasses chain Thick, chunky and loud as hell, this fuchsia sunglasses chain is a statement in and of itself. We’ll be pairing ours with our favourite floral dresses for optimal summer-in-the-city vibes.
Vero Moda sunglasses chain in tortoiseshell
Vero Moda sunglasses chain in tortoiseshell Purse-friendly, but just as cute, this Vero Moda tortoiseshell chain is as fun as it is functional.
3) Bucket hats
Transplanted straight from the 90s, the bucket hat is very much back just in time for summer. Championed by queen of green, Gabriela Hearst, in a sumptuous tie-dye cashmere offering and Gucci in its recent collaboration with Liberty, the bucket hat is hardly a novelty in the fashion sphere, but for those who don’t have one in their topper arsenal, now’s the time to invest.
Look to the high street for bargain buckets; Asos, Urban Outfitters and & Other Stories all offer them at a fraction of the price of their designer counterparts.
& Other Stories woven straw bucket hat
& Other Stories woven straw bucket hat A woven hat is a summer staple for good reason; its beige colouring is mute enough to pare down even the most garish of prints, while its texture means it adds just a touch of pizzazz.
Ganni gingham-seersucker bucket hat
Ganni gingham-seersucker bucket hat Red and black gingham may not scream summer to you, but checkered fashion is going nowhere this year, so for those scared to dip their toes into the pond, embrace the trend in the form of a bucket hat.
Urban Outfitters floral canvas bucket hat
Urban Outfitters floral canvas bucket hat A floral bucket hat is just the ticket for any British staycations you may be venturing on this summer. Pair with lashings of gold jewellery and chunky sandals for maximum impact.
4) Resin rings
Proof that plastic really is fantastic, resin rings are big news this year according to the fingers of the fashion crowd. The purveyor of the trend is Barcelona-based brand La Manso. Its founder Adriana Manso crafts her impactful bling by-hand using re-purposed plastic and implores customers to “stop counting the carats of your rings.” In short, she’s making rainbow rings that don’t cost the earth.
Don’t believe us? Since September, Depop has noted an 800% spike in searches for ‘chunky, resin rings’, a surge which has continued to increase by 20% each week since. Bella, Miley et al are all fans and, given time, and we don’t doubt you will be too.
La Manso Water Lily ring
La Manso Water Lily ring Clash with colours or up the ante on all-white or black ensembles, this flower-shaped cobalt ring is a wonderful addition to an already gold jewellery line-up.Urban Outfitters colourful resin rings
Urban Outfitters colourful resin rings If you can’t make up your mind about which coloured resin ring you’d prefer, opt for this trio from Urban Outfitters which will work equally apart as they will together.
Asos Design ring in pink plastic with fuchsia crystal
Asos Design ring in pink plastic with fuchsia crystal Big, bad and bold, this powder pink plastic ring is serving all of those retro Paris Hilton vibes and we can’t get enough. Remember: the more the merrier, though! So stack ‘em up.
Shop Asos Design ring in pink plastic with fuchsia crystal, £6
5) Lanyards
Taking hands-free to a whole new level, this summer, forget about clutching your phone as you head out and instead employ the services of a phone chain, which is more commonly known as a lanyard. Once reserved solely for outdoorsy types, the lanyard has seen its status elevated in recent months, with big brands throwing their weight behind its revival. Coach, Ganni and Jacquemus have all churned out their own interpretations of the trend, with the latter roping a phone chain intended to be wrapped around the waist, meaning we can readily reserve our paws for the holding of much more important items: see wine, hand sanitiser etc.
Ateljé pearl & cord strap phone case
Ateljé pearl & cord strap phone case With a pretty pearl-adorned chain, this Ateljé phone chain is as much of a statement accessory as it is as hands-free device.
Ganni cotton canvas iPhone bag
Ganni cotton canvas iPhone bag Simply slot in your phone, throw over your shoulder and go! It could not be more straightforward to ensure you never forget your phone again.
Russell & Bromley Festival phone crossbody bag
Russell & Bromley Festival phone crossbody bag In a chic quilted faux leather, this Russell & Bromley phone chain is everything your hands-free self could ever wish for. Perfect for work or business types.
6) Bottle bags
Not only is cutting down single-use plastic imperative, but so too is keeping hydrated (particularly when the sun puts her hat on once again).
Fashion has naturally covered both bases and ushered in a novel new way to tick both eco-boxes with panache. Enter, the bottle bag, which was championed by Marine Serre, Fendi and Givenchy at the spring/summer 2021 shows. Stay hydrated, folks!
Topshop bottle holder crossbody bag
Topshop bottle holder crossbody bag As cute and covetable as a scarlet handbag that would make you the envy of your friends, this red bottle bag courtesy of Topshop is a serious winner.
Chloé Fredy cotton-canvas water bottle holder
Chloé Fredy cotton-canvas water bottle holder In a chic utilitarian beige canvas, Chloé’s bottle bag is a high-fashion way of getting that all-important hydration fix.
Accessorize water bottle bag
Accessorize water bottle bag With a black shell exterior, this bottle bag is one for the monochrome lovers reading this. Don’t feel you have to make a statement with your bottle bag: this is proof.
Images: courtesy of brands.