Low Effort, High Impact Dressing: Summer’s Main Character Accessories

This spring I’ve become convinced that the fastest way to make an outfit feel good is with a fun bag and a casual heel. Even the simplest pieces — a white tank, relaxed trousers, a slip skirt — feel instantly more interesting when paired with something beaded, fringed, sequined, or slightly unexpected. I’ve especially been loving the return of easy heels: not sky-high stilettos, but the kind you can actually wear to dinner, on vacation, or for a long summer night out without regretting it an hour later. There’s something about the combination of a playful bag and an effortless heel that makes outfits feel styled without trying too hard — which is exactly the energy I want to dress with this season. See some outfits I've put together below. Click on the look to see the items linked in my ShopMy!

The Outfit Starts With the Bag

Lately, I’ve been gravitating toward bags that feel more like the focal point of the outfit than just something functional. A good statement bag has the ability to completely shift the mood of even the most basic look — suddenly a white tank and neutral skirt feel intentional instead of just easy. And because the rest of my wardrobe tends to stay fairly simple in the summer, these are the pieces that add character without requiring much effort at all.

I’ve been especially obsessed with Le Nodo and Mélisse lately — their bags feel like the perfect example of how accessories can completely transform an outfit. There’s something so fun about the combination of animal prints, fringe, tassels, and sculptural silhouettes that somehow still feels chic and playful. I love that they don’t take themselves too seriously. A bag like their zebra fringe pouch or tasseled mini tote instantly becomes the focal point of an outfit, even if everything else is intentionally simple.  It’s the kind of piece that makes getting dressed feel creative again — suddenly jeans and a tank don’t feel basic, they feel styled. I also love that so many of their bags are handmade and slightly one-of-a-kind, which makes them feel more personal and collectible.

The Casual Heel Comeback

As much as I love a statement bag, I think the shoe you pair with it is what really determines the mood of the outfit. A fun bag can make a look feel playful, but the right heel gives it that effortless, pulled-together finish. Lately, I’ve been drawn to heels that still feel sleek and elevated, but in a way that’s more relaxed than overly polished. I’m not really a kitten heel person, and I’ve never been someone who can survive in sky-high stilettos for more than an hour, so this summer I’ve landed somewhere in the middle. I’ve especially been loving flip flop heels and strappy sandals with slightly taller, clean-lined heels that feel minimal but still make an impact. There’s something about pairing them with relaxed silhouettes — a slip skirt, linen pants, an oversized button-down, soft denim — that feels very undone in the best way. They add just enough height and structure to make an outfit feel intentional without losing that easy summer energy. To me, they capture the perfect balance of casual and dressed up, like the kind of shoe you could wear for dinner on vacation or a night out and still feel comfortable in.

I’ve also been loving the balance that brands like Naked Wolfe strike between statement and wearability. Their heels and sandals have that slightly exaggerated, fashion-forward feel that still somehow works with really simple summer outfits. I recently ordered the Rampage Wedge Heel in Zebra—they're not expected to ship until the end of June, but I am counting down the days until I get to wear them. Their pieces in general have a way of making even a minimal outfit — a slip dress, relaxed trousers, a simple tank — feel cooler and more directional. I think that’s why they'll pair so well with the fun bags I’ve been gravitating toward lately— both add personality to an outfit while still feeling effortless enough for real life.

More than anything, this summer I’ll try to approach getting dressed with a little more personality again. A fun bag, a great heel, an unexpected texture or detail — those are the pieces that make outfits memorable. I love that none of these looks rely on anything overly complicated; most are built from simple staples and elevated through accessories that feel playful, bold, or slightly nostalgic. To me, that’s what the best summer style always comes back to: pieces that feel effortless, but still say something. And honestly, if an outfit makes me feel like I should be walking through a tiny coastal town at sunset with an overpriced spritz in hand, then it’s probably doing its job.

Check out more of my favorite statement bags and easy heels here!

xx Patsy