July 14, 2025

The must-have summer accessories

Before we dive in, a quick note: for this special edition of Le Journal, we've invited our guest writer MK to share her personal edit of the must-have accessories for summer. Think sun-kissed, beautiful and effortlessly put together...

The best accessories for summer outfits

Dear reader

I am writing to you live from a London heatwave. While London may not be prepped for this (what with faulty tube lines, overheated trains, houses without air con!) – I most certainly am prepared for whatever summer may throw at me.

Honestly, I don’t feel that the weather supports where I’m at spiritually (at the beach), but I’m ready for a too-hot-for-clothes-but-still-in the city-style, naked summer. And for me this begins and ends with the right summer accessories. Below are a few staples – none of which are endorsed or sponsored – just tried-and-loved pieces that have earned their place as my must-have summer accessories.

The summer handbag

I do love a monogram. There I said it. Feel free to think of me what you wish. This season I got myself a lovely personalised bag from the Lily and Bean summer collection. I’ve already taken it abroad for a 72 hour jaunt and it fits just about everything you need – if you don’t need much (!) is considered hand luggage and once emptied out, is perfect for day and night use.

Inside my summer handbag I like to have a smaller accessories pouch. I have one I adore from the eponymous Hélène Elisabeth, which keeps safe my tiniest and most valuable jewellery while I’m splashing in the surf.

The summer lipstick

Summer is all about bare skin and warm glow, for me, our mouths, our lips are the absolute punctuation mark. My favourites include Augustinus Bader balm, and recently I was gifted a lemon scented lip oil collab by Diptyque x Susanne Kaufmann… evocative of warm Mediterranean summer evenings.

The summer sandals

Oooh, I struggle with sandals as they are such an in between my usual – completely closed shoe or bare foot. This summer however, to reward myself after a few personal victories, I decided to invest in a pair of classic Hermes Oran sandals. A summer sandal with this price tag is a very, very big treat to yourself (or a gift, if you’re lucky). Either you’re in these classic slides every day of summer life, or you can find brilliant alternatives at Ancient Greek sandals, Les Tropeziennes, or Marks and Spencer

One of my ultimate go tos for when I want my toes covered in summer is a pair of espadrilles. Each summer I pick up a pair (and wear them right down to the sole) when I’m in the Basque country - where they are hand made with light fabrics.

The summer beach wrap/ pareo

The ultimate summer accessory. This little piece of fabric can be constructed a multitude of ways – it might be used as a headscarf, halterneck top, skirt, or even what is was destined for: a cover for your swimsuit when you head off from a day at the beach. All of my beach wraps are so old from summers gone by but I love them all to bits, quite literally still. These little items have collected on different travels and also borrowed from wardrobes of best friends, my aunt and my mother. Adding to it’s versatility, it’s multi generational, vintage and cannot never go out of style as it is literally the most useful accessory during summer!

The summer sunglasses

Rayban Aviators will always be my go to for cool, throw-in-the-bag beach shades. I’ve had mine for over a decade and they even though they are a little wonky from beach bag life, the salt water and sand, they really have stood the test of time.

The summer earrings

Shell bridesmaid earrings - Hélène Elisabeth Jewellery – Helene Elisabeth Jewellery

Perfect for its summer aesthetic and little mermaid vibes, if not this pair of earrings I would feel rather naked if these were not in my ears at all times. While I do love them for both day and pared down night time looks, there is one other pair I change into when I’m accessorising for night time adventures. No matter where I am actually, this pair of earrings transports me to the headiness of a warm night time beach bar with an electric dance floor.

Shimmering statement earrings – Hélène Elisabeth Jewellery – Helene Elisabeth Jewellery