How to Elevate Your Style This Summer

How to Elevate Your Style This Summer

July 1, 2025

Style can be fickle. The trend that everybody swears by could be over within a season. Whether it’s the heated debate between high-rise and low-rise jeans or the rising interest in utility-inspired fashion, it’s important to jump on small tweaks with maximum impact. Don’t fix what isn’t broken, and definitely don’t go for full closet overhauls.

Here’s how to elevate your style this summer — utilising fashion-forward updates that ooze “statement” without breaking the bank.

Embrace Key Summer Trends

There are plenty of new trends on the cards this summer. Think khaki utility, waterproof jackets, and athleisure (we see you, pleated skirts). Did you know that even fringing is re-entering the spotlight? In summer 2025, it seems that functionality is joining the catwalk. 

Embrace these key summer trends and focus on elevating the basics. For instance, add accessories like scarves, a bright red handbag, or statement shoes. This year, it’s all about dressing up, not dressing down. Start simple and go from there. 

Define Your Silhouette with Statement Belts

The easiest way to elevate your look is by accentuating your curves. Your silhouette is unique to you, and it’s something that’s immediately defined with statement belts. Corsets, utility belts, and cinch dresses are the best options here. These accessories sharpen outfits and provide a polished finish, all while embracing your natural features.  

As trouser trends shift, respect for belts is returning. This underappreciated accessory spent a good few years in the dark, especially as we all fixated on skinny jeans. Let’s celebrate the fact that 2025 is the year of their return. 

Focus on Quality Basics & Breathable Fabrics

Always start with high-quality foundations. We all understand the allure of a capsule wardrobe. This strategy leans into minimalism, convenience, sustainability, and pure class — respecting those staples is important. Invest in basics like cotton tanks (preferably U-necked) and oversized linen trousers. 

There’s been a colossal surge towards sustainable and breathable products, like linen. As a general rule, stay chic with natural materials. You’ll thank us when you’re the only one feeling cool and refreshed at that scorching summer wedding.

Accessorise with Subtle Statement Pieces

We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again: accessories are the absolute secret to elevating your summer wardrobe. Refresh basic pieces with the perfect finishing touches. Treat yourself to beaded or fringed bags, or purchase a cowboy hat or boots in a nod to Beyoncé’s latest influence. Even the smallest style choices, like peep-toe shoes with coloured nail polish, make a big ripple. Statements can be subtle. 

This summer is set to be rolling with new trends. But chances are, you’ve already got the foundations for brand-new looks in your wardrobe. What combinations are you dreaming up?

Charlotte is the founder and editor-in-chief at Your Coffee Break magazine. She studied English Literature at Fairfield University in Connecticut whilst taking evening classes in journalism at MediaBistro in NYC. She then pursued a BA degree in Public Relations at Bournemouth University in the UK. With a background working in the PR industry in Los Angeles, Barcelona and London, Charlotte then moved on to launching Your Coffee Break from the YCB HQ in London’s Covent Garden and has been running the online magazine for the past 10 years. She is a mother, an avid reader, runner and puts a bit too much effort into perfecting her morning brew.