
These Statement Pieces Will Level Up Your Wardrobe This Summer & Beyond

If you’ve ever looked at your outfit in the mirror and thought, “Hmm, something’s missing,” your fit might just need a little extra touch of magic.
It’s safe to say that the fashion scene is spoiled for choice when it comes to the new summer outfit trends to revamp our wardrobe, making it a fun time to explore a few new statement pieces to elevate your look.
Whether you're going to brunch with your girls, strolling through the city, or rocking your everyday look, the right accessories have a way of making you stand out in the crowd. From oversized sunglasses to bold jewelry and vibrant scarves, the options are endless for adding that extra flair to your summer outfits.
Think colorful handbags, stylish sneakers, and playful hair accessories that not only complement your wardrobe but also express your unique personality. Don’t be afraid to play around with different trends that take you out of your comfort zone and take your look up a few notches. So, let's not waste any time diving into the hottest trends and must-have pieces that will keep you looking fly all summer long:
1. STACKED CHAINS & NECKLACES
Elevate your style with stacked chains and necklaces, perfect for adding a touch of edge and sophistication to any outfit.
2. MESH BALLET SLIPPERS
These mesh ballet flats blend the comforts of a flat with the sheer, toe reveal of a sandal. Add this chic touch to your summer fits.
3. FRUIT AND FLOWER EARRINGS
Get your daily produce intake with these cute fruit earrings. These earrings are not just the perfect, playful accessory for your summer looks, but can double as a conversation starter too.
Anthropologie Triple Flower Earrings
Anthropologie
4. PUMA PALERMO
The Puma Palermo sneakers bring a fresh, classic vibe with their bold yellow, pink, and green colorways, perfect for adding a pop of color to any outfit. Featuring a classic design with modern comfort, these sneakers are a stylish and practical addition to your footwear collection.
Adidas Gazelle
Adidas
Looking for a stylish alternative to the Adidas Samba? The Adidas Gazelle offers a classic yet fresh option with its timeless design and versatile sneaker.
5. SILK SCARF/BANDANA
If you’ve ever wanted to recreate Rihanna’s classic hat and scarf look, pick up a silk scarf or bandana for the perfect touch of edgy elegance.
6. A POP OF RED
The "pop of red" trend is all about making a bold statement with vibrant, eye-catching pieces. From striking red crossbody bags and chic sandals to sporty caps, these accessories bring a splash of fiery color that can instantly elevate any outfit.
7. FLOWER CLIPS
Add a touch of whimsy to your hairstyle with a couple of flower clips. These delightful accessories are perfect for adding a burst of color and a hint of floral fun to your tresses.
Zara 2-Pack Flower Hair Clips
Zara
Add one or all of these statement pieces to your wardrobe to get that summer outfit boost you need. Mix and match the trends and have fun with it.
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Colman Domingo’s Career Advice Is A Reminder That Our Words Shape Our Reality
When it comes to life, we are always here for a good reminder to shift our mindsets, and Colman Domingo just gave us one we didn't know we needed.
In a resurfaced clip from an appearance at NewFest shared as a repost via Micheaux Film Festival, the Emmy award winner dropped a gem on how he has navigated his decades-spanning career in Hollywood. The gem in question? Well, Colman has never identified with "struggle" in his career. Let that sit.
Colman Domingo On Not Claiming Struggle
"I’ve never said that this career was tough. I’ve never said it was difficult. I’ve never said it was hard," Colman said. "Other people would say that—‘oh, you're in a very difficult industry. It's very hard to get work and book work.’ I’m like, I’ve never believed that."
Instead of allowing himself to be defined by other people's projections about their perceptions of what the industry is or was, Colman dared to believe differently even if his reality was playing catch up with his dreams:
"Like Maya Angelou said words are things. And if you believe that, then that's actually what it is. Actually I've just never believed it. Someone told me some years ago, they said, 'I remember you were, you're a struggling actor.' I'm like, 'I don't.'"
"I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living..."
He continued:
"Even when I was bartending and hustling and not having opportunities or anything, I never believed that I was struggling because I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living and creating and being curious."
Colman’s philosophy of attaching to living instead of struggle has blossomed into an enduring career. He first made his mark on stage in acclaimed Broadway productions before transitioning to the screen, where his star began to rise in the 2010s following his role as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. From there, his presence only grew, landing memorable supporting roles in If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and the hit series Euphoria.
In more recent years, Colman has stepped fully into the spotlight with standout leading performances in Rustin and Sing Sing, both of which earned him widespread critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.
With all that said, Colman's advice is no doubt powerful, especially for those who are chasing their dreams, building something from the ground up, or have question marks about what's next in their careers. Words shape our realities, and how we speak about our journeys even in passing matters.
Words Create Our Reality & Colman Is Living Proof
"I tell young people that. To remember the words that you say about yourself and your career are true. So, I choose to make it full of light and love and it's interesting and every day I'm going to learn something new even if it looks like I don't have what I want but it's important to be in the moment... you really build on the moments moment to moment.
"And you're looking back at your career as I've been in it for what 33 years and you're like, 'Wow, that's what I've been doing.' And I've stayed strong to that so I think that is truly my advice."
Let this be your sign to give your path a reframe. When the path you're on feels uncertain, the journey is still unfolding. Like Colman said: "I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living."
That's a Black king right there.
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