Expert Advice on How To Elevate Your Summer Wardrobe With 5 On-Trend Items

With summer swinging in, now’s the perfect time to inject some vacay vibes into your closet, even if you’re not packing your bags to head anywhere tropical just yet. After all, the start of a new season is always the perfect excuse to have some fun with fashion. But it can be overwhelming trying to decide which trendy pieces will mix and match with the items you already have and love to wear…without breaking the bank.

That’s why we called in an expert. Monica Awe-Etuk, whose as energetic about fashion as she is about helping women feel good in the clothes they wear, has been blogging about style trends for the last decade.

“I love classic pieces, but I like to give them a modern twist by pairing them with pieces that are on-trend or styling them in a way where it doesn’t look like, ‘Oh wow, you’ve had that in your closet for years,'” says Awe-Etuk. “I always recommend that people buy classics — your tailored trousers or shorts, your blazers, your tank tops — but then mix them up to make them now.”

So how can we make the go-to’s in our closet feel now this summer? Below, the Atlanta-based fashionista (and mother of two) shares the clothing, shoes, and accessories she’s already added to her closet and thinks everyone else should, too.

Raffia Bags

Summer 2022 is all about straw or raffia bags in all shapes and sizes. “Raffia bags are synonymous with warm weather and that relaxed, casual chic mood of summer,” says Awe-Etuk. “It’s a great piece to have, whether you prefer yours in a day bag, clutch, or tote style.”

The texture also makes them super practical. “Whether you’re traveling or going to the beach or pool, raffia bags are less likely to get damaged than leather.”

Switching up your accessories is one of the quickest ways to give your tried-and-true outfits a little pizazz. “You can wear your accessories with multiple outfits so you really get your cost per wear,” says Awe-Etuk. “I personally believe in investing in great accessories because they’ll always elevate whatever you’re wearing it with, even if you’re wearing a very inexpensive outfit.”

High-Rise Tailored Shorts

While low-rise cuts are reluctantly making their way back into the mainstream, a crisp pair of high-rise tailored shorts is a more comfortable staple that’ll work wonders with the basics you already have.

“You can do so much with a tailored pair of shorts and wear them in so many different ways,” says Awe-Etuk. “You can add a tee, tank top, or even a bikini top, and they easily transition from day to night. They also look really great with platforms, flats, and sneakers and help make you look put together, even when you’re wearing more of a relaxed look.”

Awe-Etuk relies on them for staying cool while looking put together. “I’ve been stocking up on them and I’ll continue to stock up on them because they’re great on days when it’s hot outside and you don’t want to be bothered with your fashion, but you still want to look put together.”

It doesn’t matter which fabric you opt for — linen, denim, cotton, or leather. “It’s all about the silhouette,” says Awe-Etuk.

Can you rock them at work? “As long as they’re in that Bermuda length about two inches above the knee, why not?” she says.

Platform Sandals

When it comes to sandals, platforms are in. “Go for everything and anything with an elevated heel,” says Awe-Etuk. While classic flat sandals will never go out of style, fashion designers are adding height to their designs with thicker, lug soles this season. “It’s one of those trends that’s not going anywhere because it’s also comfortable,” says Awe-Etuk. “And women want to be comfortable more than anything, so it’s a good mix of comfort meets fashion.”

Can you wear platforms with any outfit? “Absolutely — they’re just as versatile as any other heel, that’s the beauty of a platform! I have some that are six-and-a-half inches high that I’ll wear with denim or with dresses to dress them up.” Platform sandals even work with shorts and a tee, especially if you pair the duo with a fun blazer.

Statement Sunnies

Yes, you can still rock those old Ray-Bans. But add a more distinguished style that’ll punch up your outfits to your collection. “With your sunglasses, you want pieces that make a statement,” says Awe-Etuk. “Oversized styles are still very much on-trend. Whether they’re a cat-eye style with a gold rim or they’re off-white or black, they have to be oversized and different somehow. You don’t want to look for your everyday, casual, ‘seen it a million times,’ regular frames. You want something that stands out.”

If you always wear black or tortoise shades, try out a new color for summer. “You can’t go wrong with a pair in color — white, pink, whatever color you’re feeling,” says Awe-Etuk.

Breezy Maxi Dresses

If you think maxi dresses look frumpy, it’s time to reconsider them. “Maxi dresses are a go-to for me, especially when it’s really hot,” says Awe-Etuk. “The whole idea with maxi dresses is that you want an item that’s comfortable but that you can still dress up and look put together in. You definitely don’t want one that’s going to wear you. You want to wear the dress, so look for a style that suits you best.”

Whichever style you go with — from a smocked floral frock to a basic black jersey dress — the key is to accessorize. “Accessories in gold are always a great way to elevate an item. I’m a fan of wearing maxi dresses with a great pair of gold hoops or other statement earrings, keeping my chest bare if I’m wearing something large on my ears, and carrying a shawl for when it gets a little cooler at night.”