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No Seriously, These 7 Elevated Summer Pieces Always Get Me Compliments

By Swedan Margen

No Seriously, These 7 Elevated Summer Pieces Always Get Me Compliments
fashion collage of style influencers including Debora Rosa, Marianne Smyth, Taffy Msipa, and Courtney Grow wearing elevated summer pieces

It's that time of year when the weather really starts to warm up. There's something about planning outfits for a new season that gives me a stylish satisfaction. Looking ahead, I am 100% going to be reaching for a set of key summer pieces that I know will always get me compliments. It makes getting dressed so much easier when I know a much-welcomed confidence boost is in my future.

In fact, there are seven elevated pieces in particular that I swear by for summer that usually lead to a compliment or two. From smocked dresses and mesh flats to woven bags, full white skirts, and more, the styling options are endless. Below, I break down every piece along with my top picks for each along with some visual outfit inspiration to boot. I highly recommend perusing the selection to find your favorites for the season and just wait for the compliments to start rolling in.

Smocked Dresses

style influencer Debora Rosa poses for selfie wearing black cat eye sunglasses, a black woven Prada tote bag, and white sleeveless smocked dress with thin straps

Smocked dresses have a romantic feel that I just can't get enough of. They are super easy to dress up or down without sacrificing looking elevated.

Shop Smocked Dresses

Isabelle Smocked Linen Blend Midi Sundress

WAYF

Isabelle Smocked Linen Blend Midi Sundress

Smocked-Bodice Strappy Dress

H&M

Smocked-Bodice Strappy Dress

Marianne Shirred Cotton-Poplin Midi Dress

DÔEN

Marianne Cotton-Poplin Midi Dress

J.Crew, Collection Smocked Chiffon Dress

J.Crew

Collection Smocked Chiffon Dress

X Styled by Coco! Nina Smock Waist Seersucker Midi Dress

WAYF x Styled by Coco!

Nina Smock Waist Seersucker Midi Dress

Mesh Flats

British style influencer Marianne Smyth poses on a street wearing a basic top, straight-leg jeans, a small basket tote bag, and crystal embellished mesh flats

The mesh-flat trend is still going strong, and there are now more options than ever. Go for a bold embellished or espadrille pair or keep it classic with a ballet flat.

Shop Mesh Flats

Mino Flat
Mesh Ballet Flats
Mesh Ballerina Flat

MANGO

Mesh Ballerina Flat

J.Crew, Made-In-Spain Espadrille Flats in Mesh

J.Crew

Made-In-Spain Espadrille Flats in Mesh

Cosme Mary Jane Flat

Madewell

Cosme Mary Jane Flat

Shell Necklaces

NYC-based style influencer Courtney Grow poses for a window reflection selfie wearing a canvas barn jacket, sheer white dress, and a silver Juju Vera Petra shell necklace

It's no secret that fashion people are absolutely loving the Juju Vera Petra necklace, which naturally extends into a love for shell necklaces in general this season.

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JUJU VERA, Petra Shell Necklace Silver

JUJU VERA

Petra Shell Necklace Silver

Madewell, Seashell Pendant Necklace

Madewell

Seashell Pendant Necklace

MANGO, Resin Shell Necklace

MANGO

Resin Shell Necklace

Simone Necklace

petit moments

Simone Necklace

J.Crew, Seashell Pendant Necklace With Crystals

J.Crew

Seashell Pendant Necklace With Crystals

La Plage Necklace

Odette New York

La Plage Necklace

Linen Pants

fashion influencer Marina Torres poses on a sidewalk next to a palm pant wearing a white ribbed v-neck top, ivory east-west bag, butter-yellow Gap linen pants, and ivory white Maison Margiela flats

It's officially linen-pant season, and the options are endless when it comes to colors and styles. Pair with everything from sandals to mesh flats to sneakers.

Shop Linen Pants

Gap, Linen-Blend Relaxed Straight Ankle Pants

Gap

Linen-Blend Relaxed Straight Ankle Pants

Wide-Leg Linen-Blend Pants

H&M

Wide-Leg Linen-Blend Pants

Wide Leg Pull-On Linen Blend Pants

Caslon

Wide Leg Pull-On Linen Blend Pants

J.Crew, Stratus Lace-Trim Pant in Linen

J.Crew

Stratus Lace-Trim Pant in Linen

100% Linen Palazzo Pants Zw Collection

ZARA

100% Linen Palazzo Pants ZW Collection

Full White Skirts

British fashion influencer Taffy Msipa poses at a chic wood-paneled store wearing a neutral blazer, white T-shirt, full white skirt, and black ankle-strap kitten-heels

This versatile white skirt can be styled with everything from basic tanks and tees to lightweight sweaters or boatneck tops. No matter what, it looks put-together.

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Cotton Poplin Maxi Skirt

Open Edit

Cotton Poplin Maxi Skirt

Pleated Midi Skirt
J.Crew, Contrast-Stitch Midi Skirt in Cotton Poplin

J.Crew

Contrast-Stitch Midi Skirt in Cotton Poplin

Ojai Skirt
Long Skirt Zw Collection

ZARA

Long Skirt Zw Collection

Woven Bags

British style influencer Monikh poses for a mirror selfie in her chic London home wearing an oversize blue button-down shirt, black maxi skirt, black flip-flop sandals, and a brown woven leather tote bag

Woven bags are having a major moment, and the current selection is superb. I'm especially fond of brown, cream, black, and red options.

Shop Woven Bags

Handwoven Leather Tote

Madewell

Handwoven Leather Tote

Vinnie Woven Leather Crossbody Bag

Loeffler Randall

Vinnie Woven Leather Crossbody Bag

Woven Effect Bucket Bag

ZARA

Woven Effect Bucket Bag

Madewell, The Handwoven Mini Tote

Madewell

The Handwoven Mini Tote

Kayla Woven Leather Shoulder Bag

Oryany

Kayla Woven Leather Shoulder Bag

Kitten-Heel Mule Sandals

style influencer Cass Dimicco crossing a street wearing a black w-neck top, studded Aureum Collective belt, ivory jeans, a black woven tote bag, and black strappy sandals.

Sex and the City's Carrie comes to mind every time I see this chic sandal style. The kitten-heel mule is comfortable yet stylish and complements any outfit.

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Cary Heeled Sandal

Steve Madden

Cary Heeled Sandal

Pru Kitten Heel Slide Sandal

Tony Bianco

Pru Kitten Heel Slide Sandal

Buckled Heeled Sandals

ZARA

Buckled Heeled Sandals

Tori Kitten Heel Sandal

Open Edit

Tori Kitten Heel Sandal

Tracey Kitten Heel Slide Sandal

Marc Fisher LTD

Tracey Kitten Heel Slide Sandal

Originally published by whowhatwear.com. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of Vanity Fair Fashion.

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No Seriously, These 7 Elevated Summer Pieces Always Get Me Compliments - Vanity Fair Fashion