Summer is upon us... (as I sit writing this, staring outside the window with a hot coffee on a rainy Monday morning.) Having been a stylist for the last nine years, the summer months always seem to be more of a challenge when it comes to style. Sure if we get a break in the weather we not only want to feel and look good, but we want our outfits to be light and effortless to wear.
During a wardrobe detox, a clients summer wardrobe is usually more extensive than their winter.. 'A girls got to have choice and options' says my client laughing,
And that's the thing; we feel we need the choice. What if our bodies have changed from the year before? We want to feel comfortable in our summer clothes, so for many the more options the better....right? Well...yes I understand the need for having more choice for the warmer months but the idea of the capsule wardrobe still applies to a summer wardrobe. Having less will make you appreciate your summer pieces more. Buying multiple, cheap, throw away tops because 'they'll get covered in sunscreen anyway' will be a thing of the past. Here are my top picks timeless summer staples you can wear year after year.
T H E W H I T E D R E S S
Nothing screams summer freshness than white linen. A white dress for summer is timeless. Think of it as your staple that can be worn with any footwear or accessory.
Yes it's linen and yes it's going to crease, so just embrace the nature of the fabric. It'll be the perfect summer dress - whether you're going abroad or holidaying on the south coast of Britain - they'll be a shape, cut and fit to suit everyone.
You can't beat a more classic summer palette than white and tan. I love seeing a white dress with a basket / straw bag. If you need colour in your life then why not add a coloured sandal or cardigan / jumper over the top for those cooler summer evenings?
I prefer to stick to simple designs when it comes to the classics such as a white dress. Think of it as your plain canvas - You can have more fun dressing it up that way!
T H E T A N S A N D A L
The tan sandal...to go with your perfect white dress of course! (As well as that fresh pedi) Thanks to the classic Hermes luxury leather sandal, tan sandals really are an iconic look. There are also so many great variations on the high street.
TOP TIP: If you're petit look for a sandal that's going to compliment your frame. We all know that chunky sandals are in and if you like them then go for it! But just remember you want to look like you're the one wearing the shoes and not the other way round.
Wide feet? Anything with a criss cross design (such as these ATP Atelier Brown sandals as pictured) are always going to make the foot appear narrower.
G E T T H E B A S I C S - T E E ' S A N D V E S T T O P S
Sounds common sense right? But you'd be amazed at how many wardrobes I've
cleansed and found 25 different multi coloured vest tops printed with tropical birds
( because it's a summer top of course) and not one plain tee or vest top in sight!
I know they're not the most exciting thing to go shopping for but they are an essential to a capsule wardrobe. So often it's the 'all year round' pieces that are often missing (usually because something more interesting catches our eye.)
TOP TIP: Go for quality when getting your basics. They're the items that you can always rely on - they're your staples that will go with everything and anything so invest in them! You'll save money in the long run!
T H E S L I P D R E S S
Classic, light and simple. A slip dress is the epitome of summer chic. A dress that will take you from day to night - I can guarantee it will become not only a staple in you wardrobe for summer, but for A/W too. I love pairing my black midi length slip dress with my brown croc print boots with knitwear loosely flowing over my top half for the colder months..
Choosing a slip dress in satin / silk will make for easy, cool wearing. A beautiful piece to your summer collection that needs pairing with the simplest of accessories; a gold coin necklace, a tan sandal (see above) or a pair of small hoop earrings that shows your décolletage whilst your hair is tied in a classic bun.
Someone pass me a mojito - Summer is calling with this number!
A S I M P L E S W I M S U I T
Life's complicated enough without your swimwear being an extra hassle. Less is
more ladies! (I'm talking about the design not the cut!) A capsule wardrobe features timeless classics so it's really useful to have either a swimsuit or bikini that's fuss free in design.
If you want it to have more interest opt for a swimsuit that has a low cut back or a high rise leg. They'll be no dodgy tan lines and they look chic and stylish with a pair of denim shorts slipped on over the top ( or an oversized shirt) as you sashay to the ice cream kiosk.
T H E O V E R S I Z E D S H I R T
I don't know about you but I always want to look fuss free when it comes to my style. Like I've just curated the perfect outfit without even having to think about it. Well nothing says chic, effortless style like an oversized shirt. They'll be your friend not only in the warmer months but you'll be wearing it all year round.
TOP TIP Experiment with fabric. This is something I often do with a lot of my personal shopping clients. Stiff cotton shirts aren't for everyone. I prefer my shirts to be light and have a bit of movement to them. I feel more confident when my clothes move with my body. I also prefer my shirts to cover my bum and the tops of my thighs. If you're petit and are worried an oversized shirt may swamp you then look at elongating your legs. This can be achieved by having a shoe / sandal that is pointed at the toe. An oversized shirt looks great tucked in at the front too - this will also create the illusion that you're legs are heightened.
T H E F L O R A L D R E S S
You can't go wrong with a floral dress for summer. Throw it on after a cool shower,
with your favourite moisturiser and perfume applied and you're good to go. It's a dress that requires minimum effort whether you've spent the day at the beach or you're wanting an easy outfit to wear in the office - you can't go wrong with a floral summer dress - it's perfect.
I've often heard clients say that they can feel a bit 'mumsy' if they're in a printed or floral skirt / dress. Remember any style can work with a dress. I love a leather jacket over the top of a feminine, floral number. Put with biker boots and tights for A/W and you've got a dress that works all year round!
A C C E S S O R I E S
I've noticed after years of styling so many women that accessories ( particularly jewellery) is such an oversight when building an outfit. If you're just not a jewellery person then that's fine - but don't forget the power of shoes and bags and how they in fact can be the hero pieces to many of our outfit choices. Take the white linen dress - a beautiful dress...but once on you may feel like the outfit is missing something? Think about your jewellery, even if it's a simple gold necklace with a gold sandal ; it's the smaller detail that can really help elevate a look.
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