By Sarah Smith

The key to a versatile wardrobe is buying many neutral pieces that can be worn different ways. Simple tops and other plain pieces allow you to get the most out of parts of your wardrobe and wear the same item multiple times. After you’ve decked your wardrobe with basic clothing, it’s time to shop for statement pieces that will dress up your outfits.

Collar Necklaces
Many times all an outfit needs is a chunky necklace to direct attention at your face and hair. Collar necklaces tend to hang closer to your neck and have many layers of beads. Look for these necklaces in bold colors and fun shapes. Turquoise is a stylish hue for this season that seems to match just about anything, when in doubt turn to teal.

Cuff & Bangle Bracelets
A gold or silver cuff bracelet adds just the right amount of flare to your arm. Whether plain or adorned with stones, cuff bracelets look expensive and very stylish. Both cuffs and bangles work well paired with other statement jewelry because of their simplicity, but they also look nice alone.

Bows on Bows on Bows
Dig out those childhood clip-ins, because bows are a flirty touch to your hair this summer. Instantly transform a plain do with a mini bow for an innocent yet fabulous look.

Floppy Hats & Fedoras
Great for the beach or a day out at the races, wide-brimmed hats have made a comeback. Look for them in straw, which is a weave that is very in for summer. Also, if you can rock the menswear trend, try completing your look with a fedora.

Statement Studs
In the summer we love to wear our hair up and out of the way. The key to rocking a high pony or low bun is some adornment on your ear lobes. Try some oversized studs, hoops or chandelier earrings to dress up an updo. Emphasis on the hoops, believe or not, they’ve made a revival since the 80s and 90s and are now meant for 2012 too.

Woven Wedges
Height makes all the difference in your dress. Flats tend to make an outfit more casual, but anything with a heel does the sheer opposite. Cork, wooden or hemp-braided wedges add a hint of summer casual to an outfit while dressing it up.

Colorful Clutches
Oversized clutches look fab when paired with a maxi or a skinnies/blazer combination. Keep an eye out for bold colored clutches this season especially paired with wicker. Also, snakeskin looks very sophisticated and trendy when wrapped on a clutch, a very smart buy for the up-coming fall season.

Rubber Watches
“Accessories: The Voice of the Industry” tells us that rubber watches are the ideal accessory this season for keeping up with the time. White is a very popular color, but they also come in bright shades too.

Friendship Bracelets
You know those matching little wristlets you would make as a kid for your best friends? They’re back for even the most stylish fashionistas. Bracelets with little crosses or other symbols are very in.

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