Accessories can make such a difference to your outfit, but sometimes they get forgotten about - especially in Summer when there's less opportunity to wear them.

So I've got together some ideas for you.....and even if you don't get these exact things, it might just get you started on thinking about what you like and could wear.

After all, it not only helps make you look better dressed, but it also helps you to express your personality and develop your own style, and in turn that makes you feel more confident! And who doesn't want that?!

Bags

I found these 2 shots on Instagram with these guys carrying cool bags and I thought what a difference it makes to your look. Their outfits just wouldn’t look as great if they were carrying ratty, black backpacks would they?

For something different go for a crocheted bag like this Adidas Originals X Wales Bonner collaboration – the texture and neon colour, make it sporty and cool. (I also really like these trainers by the same brand collab, that I saw in Harvey Nichols last week.)

If you'd prefer something more sturdy, then Sandqvist do a great minimalist looking range and have exciting colours like orange as well as black and navy. 

Left:      The Sartorialist on Instagram
Middle:  Green crochet backpack - Adidas Originals X Wales Bonner - £130
Right:    The Sartorialist on Instagram

Bandanas

Back in 2020, I wrote about these.....I really like the look but thought none of my clients would use them as they didn't serve much practical purpose.

But I discovered that there ARE some practical reasons to wear them.........(1) it'll protect your neck from getting sunburnt (2) it'll soak up the sweat and (3) if you run it under a cold tap before you put it on it’ll keep you nice and cool!

And actually, some of my customers have taken to them.....the pic on the left was sent to me by a client where he's sporting a bandana instead of a tie – a great way to style a suit for a summer wedding, and similar to this outfit I saw on Pinterest.

I also think they look great with a plain white t-shirt, or grey sweatshirt and chore jacket.

Left:      My client at a wedding
Middle:  Les Belles Heures on Instagram
Right:    Printed cotton voile bandana - Polo Ralph Lauren on Mr Porter - £120

And of course perhaps the most ubiquitous summer accessory – sunglasses.

At the moment, I’m loving this aviator style (I like it for glasses too – this was a popular post on Instagram) and the Tom Ford ones are just the ticket.

I often take people shopping for glasses as it’s so hard to tell yourself if they suit you! If you're not sure, then there's a great guide here on how they should fit and one here on what style to look for to balance your features....give them a read to get you started or contact me if you'd like me to take you shopping.

Left:      Paul Newman on Pinterest
Middle:  Aviator style tortoiseshell sunglasses - Tom Ford Eyewear on Mr Porter - £275
Right:    The Sartorialist on Pinterest

A lot of guys don't pay much attention to their belts, but it can really help make an outfit look complete, and add a bit of personality too.

The tan one on the left with the solid buckle complements the tonal outfit he has on, or this Bleu de Chauffe one on Mr Porter has an unusual buckle which looks great.

I also spotted this canvas one with suede detailing and stitching, which comes in navy or brown. It's a great alternative to the Andersons woven ones I often recommend to people.

Wearing all black in summer is not most people's 'go-to' look but one I think works great if the items are in linen or an open weave fabric......in fact I saw a guy on the train in a similar outfit to the one on the right at the weekend which looked really stylish. Add a belt with a bit of Western detailing to it and it's a simple way to add personality to your outfit. 

Left:      The Second Button on Pinterest
Middle:  Navy suede trimmed cotton belt -  Mr P at Mr Porter - £85
Right:    The Sartorialist on Instagram

As luck would have it, just as I'd decided to write this post on accessorising for summer, one of my previous clients sent me a picture of him looking very stylish in his new Stetson hat – that's him on the right. By coincidence I’d been shopping at Stetson in Covent Garden recently with another client, and we got this very similar one in the middle with the blue band. 

And if you find those hats a bit too formal, then on the left you can see poster boy for the older guy – David Evans from Grey Fox blog, looking dashing in a baker boy cap......and another very similarly styled outfit over on Pinterest. To ring the changes from your regular baseball cap, then maybe consider one of these or a cotton flat cap which my client also got in Stetson.

Left:                  Grey Fox on Instagram
Middle top:        Image from Pinterest
Middle bottom:  Hat with blue band bought at Stetson in Covent Garden recently
Right:                Another client in his new Stetson hat

If you don't really bother with accessories, and love the look of them on other people but don't know where to start, then book in your shopping trip below and we can shop for complete outfits including all the accessories to finish things off!

A lovely message from a client I took shopping last week:

"Thank you so much for your time and advice yesterday! I'm very happy with my purchases and that I now know which colours I should look for.

Like I mentioned, I'm glad we found so many things I would never have chosen for myself."

Did you like this post? You might also like these:

Casual men's shoes for Summer 2024

Smart casual pale blue blazers