Summer Accessories: Style, Colors and Materials to Adopt

The arrival of summer transforms our desires, our habits... and, of course, our outfits. While we often think about lightening up our clothing, we sometimes forget that costume accessories must also adapt to the season. And yet, they are the ones that set the tone for a successful look. They reveal your style, assert your personality, and add that little touch that makes all the difference.

Whether it's an outdoor wedding, a garden party, a birthday, or a simple dinner with friends, summer is the perfect season to be daring. Dare to use fresher colors, more natural materials, and bolder patterns. Say goodbye to dull hues and overly warm fabrics! Make way for airy accessories, soft textures, and sunny tones.

In this article, we'll give you all the keys to choosing your summer suit accessories with taste. From choosing materials to the trendiest colors, including the essentials of the men's wardrobe, this guide is designed to accompany you throughout the season. Whether you're a fan of bow ties, ties, pocket squares, or suspenders, you'll find everything you need here to create elegant, comfortable, and resolutely fashionable outfits.

Why Adapt Your Accessories to the Season?

We don't wear the same shoes in summer as we do in winter... so why keep the same accessories all year round? Adapting your accessories to the summer season is much more than an aesthetic choice: it's a question of comfort, elegance, and consistency. Summer imposes its codes: warmth, light, relaxation, which it is essential to respond to with suitable pieces.

High temperatures make some materials uncomfortable to wear. A wool tie or a velvet bow tie can disrupt the harmony of a summer outfit, both visually and physically. Conversely, lightweight materials like linen, cotton, or Liberty polyester bring freshness, fluidity, and modernity. They allow the skin to breathe and provide a welcome touch of softness under the sun.

But beyond the material, it's also a question of ambiance. Summer events often take place outdoors, in a more natural, brighter, sometimes rustic setting. Therefore, you need accessories that fit into this setting: light hues, floral patterns, soft finishes. By adapting your accessories to the season, you demonstrate that you've mastered the codes of style... effortlessly.

Light Materials to Favor

In summer, comfort is paramount. Choosing the right materials is essential to avoid overheating while remaining stylish. While some textures can look great in winter, they quickly become stifling in the sun. Fortunately, there are breathable, natural, or lightweight alternatives that allow you to maintain a polished look, even when temperatures rise.

Linen is arguably this season's most iconic fabric. With its slightly wrinkled appearance and raw feel, it immediately evokes a summer vibe: a country wedding, a garden cocktail, a stroll by the sea... It's light, airy, and pairs perfectly with the light tones often chosen for summer suits. Cotton is another sure bet. Soft, supple, and versatile, it's equally suited to formal attire and a more casual look. It's easily available in all colors, making it the perfect ally for creating summer accessories that are both practical and elegant.

Polyester can also find its place, especially in its Liberty print version. Lightweight, colorful, and modern, it allows you to dare floral or graphic patterns that add character to a plain outfit. Conversely, certain materials should be avoided in the height of summer: velvet, wool, or knitwear risk bringing a feeling of heat that is incompatible with the mood of the season. In summer, we therefore favor freshness, simplicity, and materials that allow breathing.

The Bow Tie, King of Summer Accessories

If you had to keep just one suit accessory to get you through the summer in style, it would undoubtedly be this one: the bow tie. Visually lighter than the tie, and less formal too, it immediately adds a chic and original touch to any outfit. In summer, it even becomes a strategic asset: easy to wear, not bulky, and perfect for creating an elegant look without going overboard.

The secret to a good bow tie lies in the choice of material and color. Whether it's linen or cotton, it's lightweight and pairs perfectly with light or lightly textured shirts. Pastel or natural shades like beige, sky blue, terracotta, or sage green are particularly suited to the season. They blend into sunny settings while highlighting the complexion and textures of the suit.

Another advantage of the bow tie: it lends itself to all summer occasions, whether it's a formal wedding, a chic dinner, or even a themed event. It allows you to assert your style and attract attention without ever appearing over the top. For those who want to make an elegant statement, it's the ideal summer companion.

And the Tie in All This?

It's often thought to be too formal for summer, but... the tie definitely has its place in summer outfits, provided you choose it wisely. Less common than the bow tie for country weddings or casual looks, it nevertheless appeals to those looking to maintain a classic look while modernizing their style.

To wear it flawlessly in summer, two elements are essential: material and color. We recommend cotton or linen styles, which are much more breathable than the satin or thick versions often associated with formal events. Ties made of natural, slightly textured fabrics pair wonderfully with beige or light blue suits, two iconic shades of the season. Color also plays a key role. Pastel shades like powder pink, sky blue, or sea green work wonderfully, as do warmer shades like terracotta or saffron yellow.

Finally, to lighten the look, don't hesitate to opt for a simple, casual knot, or to ditch the jacket for a well-cut shirt. The tie then becomes a central element of the look, both elegant and appropriate for the season.

The Pocket Square: Small Detail, Big Effect

It seems discreet, almost optional... and yet, the pocket square is often the element that transforms an outfit into a real statement. In summer, it allows you to add a touch of color or fantasy without overloading the ensemble, especially when the rest of the look remains deliberately simple and refined.

The key to a successful pocket square? Balance. It shouldn't overwhelm the suit or go unnoticed. By playing with color contrasts or floral patterns (like those on Liberty fabrics), it attracts the eye while remaining elegant. It's the perfect accessory to add depth to a plain jacket, or to subtly echo the color of a bow tie or tie.

In summer, we readily opt for cotton or linen pocket squares, in natural shades, with light floral or geometric prints. And if you want to vary the pleasures, don't hesitate to fold it differently depending on the occasion: visible point for a casual effect, flat fold for a more formal finish. Simple to adopt, easy to coordinate, the pocket square is the ideal finishing touch for a successful summer look.

Children's Accessories: Style in Duo

Summer is the season for big family celebrations, and kids are no exception. Weddings, birthdays, baptisms, or country parties... the little ones' outfits are also adorned with elegant and colorful accessories. There's nothing like a matching father-son look to create visual harmony and make a stylish statement.

Children's bow ties are made from the same fabrics as the adult models, making it easy to create matching pairs. Pastel or floral colors are particularly suitable for summer: sage green, powder pink, sky blue, or Liberty patterns bring freshness and softness to the outfit.

And to complete the look, you can also opt for matching children's suspenders , which add a retro-chic touch while ensuring good support. Practical, comfortable, and stylish, these accessories are a sure bet for enhancing your little ones' outfits on sunny days.

Complete Summer Look: Winning Combinations

A beautiful accessory is great. A harmonious combination of accessories is even better. In summer, the ideal is to opt for light, balanced, and visually cohesive combinations. The winning trio? A bow tie, pocket square, and cufflinks, in complementary or subtly contrasting tones.

For an elegant and natural look, for example, you can pair a beige linen bow tie with a floral pocket square and silver cufflinks. Pastel shades also allow you to create beautiful shades: a sky blue paired with aqua green or pearl gray will give a soft and refined result. Conversely, for a more striking look, dare to contrast with terracotta or burgundy accessories, combining them with light suits.

The key is to find the balance between simplicity and originality. It's not about matching everything perfectly, but rather creating an overall harmony by playing with materials, tones, and proportions. By following this logic, each accessory becomes a style element in its own right, and the entire outfit gains coherence.

The Best Opportunities to Shine in Summer

Summer is synonymous with festivities. It's the season for weddings, garden parties, outdoor ceremonies, and themed events. These are all occasions where the suit reigns supreme, and accessories play a key role. By choosing the right pieces, you can easily adapt your look to any setting, while still asserting your style.

For a rustic wedding, opt for natural materials like linen, in soft or plant-like shades: sage green, beige, ecru, or pastel blue. For an evening out or a cocktail party on the terrace, you can dare to wear a more contrasting accessory, like a terracotta bow tie or a patterned pocket square. Parties with friends or summer dinners are also perfect times to wear more original accessories, with light textures and bright colors.

Every event is an opportunity to create a tailor-made outfit, taking into account the location, the lighting, and the atmosphere. Accessories aren't there to overdo it, but to define a silhouette, emphasize an intention, and create that effortless sense of style we all strive for.

Mistakes to Avoid in Summer (Without Losing Your Elegance)

While summer is a time for more stylistic freedom, it also presents some pitfalls to avoid. The first common mistake is sticking with the same accessories as in winter: thick materials, dark colors, shiny fabrics... All of this can quickly weigh down an outfit and create a contrast with the summer vibe.

Another pitfall: trying to overdo it. Layering bow ties, suspenders, pocket squares, patterns, and bright colors can quickly create a cluttered look. In summer, it's best to opt for lighter compositions, with one or two well-chosen accessories that complement each other. Finally, pay attention to the cut and material of the shirts or suits with which the accessories are worn. A cotton tie over a thick shirt, for example, can disrupt the balance of the look.

The golden rule: maintain elegance while staying true to the spirit of the season. Breathable materials, thoughtful hues, and a well-placed touch of personality are all it takes to create a look that's stylish without ever going overboard.

Conclusion

Dressing well in summer is, above all, a question of balance. It's not about revolutionizing your wardrobe, but rather about intelligently adapting your choices to the season. Natural materials like linen or cotton, bright colors, and thoughtful combinations allow you to create looks that are elegant, comfortable, and on-trend.

Accessories are your best allies for getting through the summer in style. Bow tie, tie, pocket square, suspenders, or cufflinks: each plays its role in giving an outfit character. It's up to you to use them wisely, depending on the occasion, the mood, and your desires.

And if you're looking for inspiration to create your summer looks, discover our complete selection on Unipap's : hundreds of items designed to combine style and lightness throughout the season.