No Seriously, These 7 Elevated Summer Pieces Always Get Me Compliments

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fashion collage of style influencers including Debora Rosa, Marianne Smyth, Taffy Msipa, and Courtney Grow wearing elevated summer pieces

(Image credit: @deborabrosa; @smythsisters; @taffymsipa; @courtneygrow)

It's that time of year when the weather really starts to warm up. There's something about planning outfits for a new season that gives me a stylish satisfaction. Looking ahead, I am 100% going to be reaching for a set of key summer pieces that I know will always get me compliments. It makes getting dressed so much easier when I know a much-welcomed confidence boost is in my future.

In fact, there are seven elevated pieces in particular that I swear by for summer that usually lead to a compliment or two. From smocked dresses and mesh flats to woven bags, full white skirts, and more, the styling options are endless. Below, I break down every piece along with my top picks for each along with some visual outfit inspiration to boot. I highly recommend perusing the selection to find your favorites for the season and just wait for the compliments to start rolling in.

Smocked Dresses

style influencer Debora Rosa poses for selfie wearing black cat eye sunglasses, a black woven Prada tote bag, and white sleeveless smocked dress with thin straps

(Image credit: @deborabrosa)

Smocked dresses have a romantic feel that I just can't get enough of. They are super easy to dress up or down without sacrificing looking elevated.

Shop Smocked Dresses

Mesh Flats

British style influencer Marianne Smyth poses on a street wearing a basic top, straight-leg jeans, a small basket tote bag, and crystal embellished mesh flats

(Image credit: @smythsisters)

The mesh-flat trend is still going strong, and there are now more options than ever. Go for a bold embellished or espadrille pair or keep it classic with a ballet flat.

Shop Mesh Flats

Shell Necklaces

NYC-based style influencer Courtney Grow poses for a window reflection selfie wearing a canvas barn jacket, sheer white dress, and a silver Juju Vera Petra shell necklace

(Image credit: @courtneygrow)

It's no secret that fashion people are absolutely loving the Juju Vera Petra necklace, which naturally extends into a love for shell necklaces in general this season.

Shop Shell Necklaces

Linen Pants

fashion influencer Marina Torres poses on a sidewalk next to a palm pant wearing a white ribbed v-neck top, ivory east-west bag, butter-yellow Gap linen pants, and ivory white Maison Margiela flats

(Image credit: @marina_torres)

It's officially linen-pant season, and the options are endless when it comes to colors and styles. Pair with everything from sandals to mesh flats to sneakers.

Shop Linen Pants

Full White Skirts

British fashion influencer Taffy Msipa poses at a chic wood-paneled store wearing a neutral blazer, white T-shirt, full white skirt, and black ankle-strap kitten-heels

(Image credit: @taffymsipa)

This versatile white skirt can be styled with everything from basic tanks and tees to lightweight sweaters or boatneck tops. No matter what, it looks put-together.

Shop Full White Skirts

Woven Bags

British style influencer Monikh poses for a mirror selfie in her chic London home wearing an oversize blue button-down shirt, black maxi skirt, black flip-flop sandals, and a brown woven leather tote bag

(Image credit: @monikh)

Woven bags are having a major moment, and the current selection is superb. I'm especially fond of brown, cream, black, and red options.

Shop Woven Bags

Kitten-Heel Mule Sandals

style influencer Cass Dimicco crossing a street wearing a black w-neck top, studded Aureum Collective belt, ivory jeans, a black woven tote bag, and black strappy sandals.

(Image credit: @cassdimicco)

Sex and the City's Carrie comes to mind every time I see this chic sandal style. The kitten-heel mule is comfortable yet stylish and complements any outfit.

Shop Kitten-Heel Mule Sandals

Jennifer Camp Forbes
Jennifer Camp Forbes
Senior Shopping Editor

Jennifer Camp Forbes is a senior shopping editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities including creative director and various editor roles. She’s a well-known shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups. Jennifer's lifelong interest in fashion led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion.

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