11 Easy Accessories for Summer 2025 That Can Make Your Outfit Pop

Summer is a season of sunshine, spontaneity, and style that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And while your outfit might start simple (a breezy dress, linen shorts, or a cropped tee), the right accessory can make you look like you just stepped off a movie set.

Take it from the characters who’ve been setting the bar for effortlessly iconic style for years. Here’s your summer 2025 accessories cheat sheet, based on pop culture queens who wore them best.

Hair accessories that rule.

Hair accessories aren’t just cute—they’re character-defining. The right headband or clip can turn your day into a good hair day.

• Butterfly and flower clips. They are back, and they carry more than just nostalgic value. The late ’90s and early 2000s weren’t just about hair clips; they were about a whole attitude. It was an era of fun and vibrant hair accessories.

Example: Butterfly & flower clips can be seen on Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire), and Sabrina Spellman (Sabrina the Teenage Witch).

Adopt butterfly clips with a twist—pair them with low-rise jeans, metallics, and other early-2000s staples to create an ironic-meets-sincere aesthetic.

As for flower clips, you can use oversized floral barrettes in saturated colors to liven up sleek ponytails or side-swept styles.

• Structured, padded, and bejeweled headbands aren’t just functional—they’re statement pieces that can elevate any outfit.

Example: You can see them on Blair Waldorf (Gossip Girl). Blair didn’t just wear headbands—she weaponized them. From velvet bows to jeweled arches, hers were symbols of power, polish, and dominance. Emily Cooper (Emily in Paris) also wears them often. Padded headbands can bring instant drama.

With wide fabric or padded headbands, choose bold colors or structured textures to frame your face with confidence. Go for metallic or beaded headbands to create a halo effect.

Earrings that speak volumes

Earrings are the easiest way to frame your face and instantly set a tone—fierce, fun, or fabulously over-the-top. And the right pair can change the entire mood of your outfit.

• Stacked piercings reflect a layered personality—bold classics that are here to stay.

Example: Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer mixed hoops and studs to reflect her tough-yet-tender side. They are trendy and Instagram-friendly. Yes, it’s mainstream—but still effortlessly stylish when done right.

You can play with asymmetry, mix metals, and add a charm or chain to make it your own.

• Gold, silver, medium-sized simple hoops—these are the earrings that never quit.

Example: Rachel from Friends wore them with slip dresses and mom jeans. They’re timeless and approachable and give an effortlessly good-looking vibe.

Choose a thinner hoop for daytime ease, or go chunky and gold for night-out glow.

• Big artsy earrings. If your earrings double as abstract art, you’re doing it right.

Example: In Euphoria, Maddy’s dangling, sparkling, “look at me” earrings brought full-on diva energy. They are bold, expressive, perfect for rooftop parties, art galleries, and causing a scene in the best way.

Aim for bright acrylics, metallics, or funky shapes—think seashells, faces, fruits, or geometric madness.

Hats that steal the spotlight

Hats aren’t just for shielding your face from the sun—they’re the exclamation point of an outfit.

• Bucket hats. These soft, colorful bucket hats bring quirky energy to any look.

Example: Seen on Emily Cooper (Emily in Paris). Emily’s hats are loud, trendy, and sometimes questionably paired, but they definitely draw attention.

You can go for playful fabrics—terry cloth, crochet, or bright cotton. Great for festivals and coffee runs.

• Oversized straw brim hats. They are both a fashion-forward statement and a practical summer essential—unapologetically theatrical and not suited for every scene.

Example: Rachel Green (Friends) had her oversized straw hat moment in those Hamptons-style summer episodes and brought effortless chic to summer getaways.

Better look for natural straw textures with subtle ribbon details. Perfect for pool days or rooftop lounging.

Sunglasses that make a scene

Sunglasses don’t just shield your eyes—the right pair can turn a basic outfit into a full-on character reveal.

• Tinted lenses in fun colors. Pink, lavender, or even soft green—tinted lenses feel playful and romantic, not overly trendy. They are giving a dreamy and aesthetic-forward vibe.

Example: You can see them on Cassie Howard and Maddy Perez (Euphoria).

Try matching your tint to your gloss or nails. Wear them with messy buns, cute tees, and a “drama queen” attitude.

Bags that set the tone

Bags aren’t just for stashing your phone and sunscreen—they’re the finishing touch that can pull your whole look together.

• Woven bags. They have become synonymous with summer. Whether made of raffia, straw, or woven leather, they evoke effortless vacation style and coastal aesthetics. Their lightweight, breathable structure makes them ideal for hot days and seaside escapes.
  The woven crossbody does seem more of a “summer cliché” nowadays; still perfect for the beach outing, though.

Example: In Sex and the City, the group of friends—Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Charlotte York, and Miranda Hobbes—head to the beach for a getaway, and a woven bag is the accessory of choice.

• Scarf-handled totes. They are elegant, although they can seem old-fashioned.

Example: In Emily in Paris, Emily Cooper embodies this look with her bold scarves tied to her structured bags. While Emily made it a signature piece of her style during her Parisian adventures, the look has become so ubiquitous that it no longer feels as chic or groundbreaking as it once did.

For a modern upgrade, opt for printed canvas totes. These bring in personality and artistry with minimal effort. They’re more relaxed, practical, and seasonally appropriate—especially for summer.

• Bags with charms. They are the perfect way to add personality and flair to any outfit. Whether it’s a sleek leather crossbody, a canvas tote, or even a vintage-inspired bag, adding a charm (or two) can make all the difference in creating a statement accessory.
  Bags with charms have become a go-to for injecting some individuality into your look. This trend is seen all over pop culture, with characters using bags as both a functional item and a stylish extension of their personality.

Example: Emily Cooper in Emily in Paris digs bags with charms. She even carries a handbag with an Eiffel Tower charm that becomes a plot point, symbolizing both her outsider status and playful fashion flair.

We hope we got you inspired to spruce up your summer wardrobe with accessories that do more than just accessorize. So go ahead—this summer, let your accessories do the talking! And if nothing else, maybe it’s time to rewatch that favorite pop series and spot those iconic on-screen fashion moments all over again.