Styling Tricks from Fashion Bloggers We Love This Summer

The sun is shining, so it is officially time to pack away the chunky knits and forget about the tight silhouettes. The arrival of summer brings lighter fabrics, soft and flowing shapes, and lots of vibrant color. When a new season comes around, it is so tempting to ignore the anguished cries of your bank card and splash the cash on a whole new wardrobe. Give your card a break, and make your existing wardrobe work for summer with these styling tricks from fashion bloggers.

Fashion bloggers are always ahead of the seasonal trends and as the queens of street style, they always have some style hacks to breathe new life into our wardrobes. Follow these sartorial tips from the fashion icons of social media and your style will be on point all summer long.

Invest in some wow trousers.

Bloggers manage to express their personal style by investing in a few key pieces and styling them in a number of different ways to create fresh new looks. These summer bloggers cannot get enough of wide leg trousers, from culottes to palazzo pants. If there is just one piece that you splash out on this summer, follow the trend set by bloggers, and invest in some trousers with a loose silhouette. Choose a block color or a simple monochrome stripe for a pair that will complement any item in your wardrobe.

Underwear as Outerwear

Wearing lingerie-style items as outerwear has been a staple trend for fashion bloggers for several years now, probably because it is so versatile. Wearing traditional underwear pieces, such as bralettes, and slinky and lacy camisoles as outerwear that is meant to be seen is a great way to mix up your summer wardrobe. A bralette or sports bra worn under an oversized shirt gives a cool nineties vibe that bloggers are loving at the moment. Or a little camisole worn with denim shorts and layered necklaces will give a laid-back and fresh festival feel, perfect for the summer months. You'll see this as a staple at the best music festivals in the US every year, and for good reason.

Mix vintage with the contemporary.

Bloggers add some extra interest into their ensembles by mixing in some vintage pieces that can be picked up at bargain prices at thrift stores. A vintage denim jacket looks great worn over a cute summer dress and a vintage printed t-shirt will amp up a classic pair of denim shorts. You can even make your own vintage summer pieces, by picking up some vintage Levi's and transforming them into a pair of shorts with just a pair of scissors.

Mix prints like a pro.

Putting together a combination of mixed prints to create an outfit that doesn't look like a total calamity can be difficult. Fashion bloggers are an invaluable source of tips and tricks on how to get the mixed print trend right. In the summer months, bloggers will choose bright and joyous prints to mirror the beauty of the warmer months, but they will always keep it simple to prevent looking OTT. A great print to start with is the monochrome stripe, as it is a super versatile print that will mix well with almost any other print. Team it with florals, geometric or kitsch prints for a summer look that is chic and effortless. If stripes are not for you, try mixing similar prints together, such as two different florals in similar color palettes, for a cohesive ensemble that is not too 'matchy-matchy'.

Make your basics work hard.

Fashion bloggers are absolute pros at making their wardrobe staples work hard, styling them up and down as the occasion or season calls for it. Basics such as the slogan tee, classic white shirt, high-waisted jeans, and long-line vest can be styled for the summer in a number of different ways, to create an entire summer wardrobe, with the addition of a few seasonal pieces and accessories. For example, wear the classic white shirt open over your lingerie camisole with some wide-legged trousers for a floaty and chic look, perfect for summer. Or add in some colorful accessories to add a pop of vibrancy to your simple basics. Bloggers always experiment with what they have in their wardrobe, giving them that unique street style we all covet.

Accessories are fundamental.

Accessorising is fundamental. Take a look at the Instagram feed of any of your favorite bloggers and you will truly understand the power of accessories. Summer is arguably the best season for accessories, and fashion bloggers will elevate even the most basic of outfits with some well-chosen extras. Hats are a blogger favorite, from chic fedoras to preppy baseball caps, and from stylish straw hats to over-sized sun hats. Mix different trends together to create a totally unique look, such as wearing a floppy boho hat with a tailored playsuit, or a streetwear style cap with a girly floral dress.

Don't forget the handbag.

It doesn't end with hats when it comes to summer accessories. No self-respecting style blogger will be seen without the right handbag. For this summer it is the luxe beach bag (think metallic finishes and high-end fabrics) or the handheld straw bag—natural materials are a bang-on-trend with bloggers this year. A blogger tip is to dig through your beloved mother's closet for a retro handbag, particularly as wicker and straw accessories were huge in the 1970s. You may just find some other original accessories whilst you're there, such as vintage scarves or jewelry.

Short Hemlines = Low Heels

Summer fashion often involves showing a little more bare skin, so bloggers will balance this out with flat shoes or sandals. This prevents those cute shorts and sweet sundresses looking too 'evening wear', which they would when teamed with heels. The general rule is: The shorter the hemline, the lower the heel.

Eye-Catching Sunglasses

Can someone really classify themselves as a fashion blogger if they don't rock a pair of oversized sunglasses the moment the sun shines? A key style hack of the fashion blogger is to take their ensemble to a whole new level, with the addition of some amazing sunglasses. Your sunglasses need not cost the earth, great pairs can be found in any high-street store or totally unique shades can be picked up in thrift or vintage stores for next to nothing. You could even revamp an old pair on sunglasses, by upcycling them by gluing on graft jewels, pearls, etc. around the frames. Bloggers are the fashion girls that are never afraid of a little DIY. Popular sunglasses styles for this summer include cat eye frames, colored or mirrored lenses, and retro round shapes. Even tactical military sunglasses can be pulled off and complement many an outfit.

Love yourself.

Probably the most important styling tip to take from fashion bloggers is confidence. Whether they are mixing unexpected prints or pieces together, or simply wearing jeans and a t-shirt, it is always clear to see that they feel good about what they are wearing. That confidence shines through in the way they hold themselves and in their smiles, which makes even the simplest outfit look extra stylish. Fashion bloggers express their own personal style, not what the fashion world tells them they should wear. As long as you feel comfortable in your own skin and are happy with what you are wearing, you will be glowing. Remember, always love yourself first and foremost.

Will you be trying out any of these styling tricks from fashion bloggers this summer? Take a look at your wardrobe and see which style hacks you can utilize to make this your most stylish summer ever.