17 Summer Style Hacks With A Difference

One of the best things about summer is ditching the layers and slipping into something more stylish. Fiat knows that stylish is something that makes you stand out from the crowd. Follow these style hacks to take your summer style to the next level.

1. Make basic sandals look expensive with studs.

Geneva Vanderzeil apairandasparediy.com Flickr/ (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: 66755335@N05

These are so easy to make, but look fantastic: Simply punch holes with a dart awl (or anything sharp!) and fasten push studs with screw-on bases through the holes.

2. Customise plain gold hoops by adding embellishments:

With permission from Grace Du Prez/Twitter: @graceduprez / Via Photo by Alyssa Boni

Fashion designer and textile maker Grace Du Prez tells us: "Gold hoops are easy to update - because you can open them up and thread on beads, flowers, charms or pieces of ribbon/textiles attached to jump hoops.

"You can update and change them according to your mood or outfit."

3. Take your basic shoes to the next level

With permission from clonesnclowns.com

Simply paint a rubber-ended pencil with yellow nail varnish then dot it all over your shoes. Leave it to dry then draw in wings 'n' stingers with a sharpie. If you need further instruction head over to ClonesnClowns.com who kindly gave us the tutorial.

4. Or leave them plain like these gorgeous polka-dot numbers

Via ohmydrifter.com

Need further instruction? Check out the tutorial on drifterandthegypsy.com.

5. Make this braided silk scarp necklace

Stacie/ starsforstreetlights.com Flickr/ (CC BY-SA http://2.0) / Via Flickr: 35754040@N04

Just plait three scarves of a similar size. Size at the back with a broach and a broach at the front for added interest.

6. Keep your summer shoes fresh with teabags.

Marina Degtyareva / Getty Images / Via gettyimages.co.uk

Pop one or two into your shoes and leave overnight. By morning, they will have absorbed the smell and deodorised them. Use mint teabags for a summery scent.

7. Show your friends you care with a simple gold spike friendship bracelet.

Geneva Vanderzeil apairandasparediy.com Flickr/ (CC BY http://2.0) Flickr: 66755335@N05

Geneva Vanderzeil apairandasparediy.com Flickr/ (CC BY http://2.0) Flickr: 66755335@N05

What you need: gold elastic and studded beads.

Tie a knot in your elastic - this is important, unless you want your creations to whizz off the end and onto your carpet. Leave about an inch of thread after the knot.

Thread the beads and tie a knot at the end, before tying two ends together.

8. Make a hair flower fascinator from old clothes:

Stacie/ starsforstreetlights.com Flickr/ (CC BY-SA http://2.0) / Via Flickr: 35754040@N04

If you LOVE the colour, but HATE the style, simply cut your old clothes up into 2" strips, dab a dot of hot glue, and roll. Glue to a head band and add pheasant feathers if you want to go all Great Gatsby.

The full tutorial is here:

9. Update dark denim with some bleach.

With permission from kertiii.blogspot.co.uk / Via kertiii.blogspot.co.uk

1. Fill a bucket with cheap bleach (NOT the colour-safe stuff).

2. Use a clip hanger, the sort you get bras on, and attach to the denim item. Lower the bottom few inches into the bleach.

3. Every 20 minutes lower the denim in a bit further. This will make the dip dye effect.

4. When you're finished, wash the skirt in white vinegar to stop the bleaching process.

10. Turn your old gym T-shirts into racerback ribbon vests.

Maegan Tintari lovemaegan.com /Flickr/(CC BY http://2.0) Flickr: lovemaegan

Maegan Tintari lovemaegan.com /Flickr/(CC BY http://2.0) Flickr: lovemaegan

Simply slice the T-shirt up, as above, then flip it over and use pretty ribbon, jersey scraps, or lace to tie the two shoulder straps at the back together.

11. Stencil a tie-up shirt with fabric paint

With permission from drifterandthegypsy.com / Via drifterandthegypsy.com

This is as simple as making a stencil out of printer paper and painting over the design with fabric paint. Need further instruction? Check out the tutorial on drifterandthegypsy.com.

12. Upgrade tired denim by embellishing some shorts

With permission from http://P.S I Made This / Via psimadethis.com

If you need extra help check it out on P.S I Made This.

13. If you’re short and want to rock maxi skirts — go for jersey.

Victoria Phipps / Getty Images

When jersey fabric is trimmed with scissors, it rolls up and doesn't fray. Added bonus: You can use the extra few inches of fabric to make a matching hairband, bag, or camera strap.

14. Replace camera straps with a scarf or chain

Geneva Vanderzeil apairandasparediy.com Flickr/ (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: 66755335@N05

Just snip off the main part off the strap, leaving behind a little material loop at each end, then thread your scarf or chain through the loops and either fix with a knot, pliers or glue.

15. Turn a plain sweatshirt into an MSGM-inspired floral sweatshirt

With permission from http://P.S I Made This / Via psimadethis.com

Simply cut off the arms at 45 degree angles (sweatshirt material shouldn't fray) and sew on plastic flower-shaped beads. There's full instructions on P.S I Made This.

16. Print out your photos and turn them into a bangle

With permission from http://P.S. I Made This / Via psimadethis.com

This video tutorial shows you how:

17. Make your own gladiator sandals with a pair of flip-flops and a scarf.

Just wrap the scarf around the plastic toe holder, starting at the bottom of the 'V' at the front and working to the back. Secure with glue.

Leave two ends free on either side of the shoe so that you can criss-cross them up your legs and tie them at the back.

Trip to the beach? Don't forget the subwoofer

Fiat is the perfect choice for free-thinkers and creative individuals, because it doesn't 'do' imitations. Follow Fiat to discover more ways to stand out from the crowd.