Our staple outfits for the steamy Beijing summers (as we are all becoming increasingly aware) consist of as little as we can get away with. When even your vest tops stick to your back and the soles of your feet sweat in your sandals, trying to look fashionable at the same time can seem like the last thing on your mind. So the secret to staying fashionable without putting any effort into your outfit?

…ACCESSORIZE!

Chunky bangles are set to be the biggest hit of the summer. Robert Cavalli’s gold-plated bangle seen on the catwalk has caused quite a stir amongst fashion followers, as has Matthew Williamson’s Ottoman mosaic bangle.

In pursuit of this season’s biggest trends, we are being local to tribal, bohemian and safari. Us lucky fashion fanatics are being spoiled for choice these days, with new great stores appearing quicker than we can take out loans to fund our store cards.

Go wild accessory shopping in H&M and Bershka. Bershka is the new hotspot in town. Brought to you from the same people as Zara, Bershka is a bit younger, trendier and kinder on your bank balance. Pick up some animal print scarves, fur earrings, bohemian metal and tribal style bangles and chunky stone rings. Go crazy with the bangles; buy lots of different colors, shapes and sizes and wear them all! For accessorizing on a budget, visit the street sellers and markets, but if you can’t find what you need head to Xiushui where they’re sure to have the copies of everything you desire, and you can negotiate until you get the price you want.

The best thing about accessorizing is there are no rules. One fashionable scarf can be worn a number of fabulous ways; wrapped around your head (ala Audrey Hepburn), around your waist as a bohemian style belt, around your forehead (ala Rambo), around your arm, as a skirt, as a crossover top…the possibilities are endless!

Try not to overdo it by wearing bangles, earrings, scarf and hats. Keep it to one statement piece; a head scarf, big tribal-style earrings or statement bangles. Too much will leave you feeling hotter than ever.

Voila. You are now an effortless accessorizer!

Nikki Aaron