Five Outfit Formulas To Try This Summer

...when it *actually* gets hot

Look, summer so far in the U.K. has been pretty dismal. We’ve had the odd five-day stretch of sun, but then it reverts to the factory setting of grey, overcast days with a smattering of rain - RAIN! I know. So, there hasn’t been much opportunity to whip out all those summer looks I’d spent the spring cooking up. However, next week looks to be CRACKING all that time that I’ve spent turning my moodboards into digital outfits and then into actual outfits (can you tell I’m Type A?), is about to pay off. In doing that, I’ve discovered some new outfit formulas and fresh ways to layer that I thought I’d bundle up and share with you in case you need some ideas. So here you go, five recipes to try once the weather finally heats up…

Earrings* / scarf* / jeans* / sandals* (ad - gifted) / bag* (ad - gifted)

SILK SCARF + RELAXED JEANS + STRAW BAG. Silk scarves are a category that I notoriously underuse in my wardrobe. I have just one, and I found it this summer, crumpled up in the bottom of a drawer, having been ignored for the past 12 months. So I got it out, dusted it off and actually it can be a pretty handy piece, especially on boiling hot days when you don’t want to feel as covered up. Here, I’ve just folded it in half into a triangle and tied it up around the back. Because my back is out out, I like to wear it with a relaxed pair of jeans and a more oversized bag to balance out the proportions.

Earrings* / dress* / shirt* / sandals* (ad - gifted) / bag* (ad - gifted)

MINI DRESS + OPEN SHIRT + TEXTURED BAG. I never think to wear my shirts open, but in the summer, they can easily function as a light jacket. And I know I’m always banging on about separates; we think of them more classically as tops with skirts or trousers. But here, it works almost like the dress and shirt are separates if you pick similar colours and fabrications, and I love the clean lines it gives. Because there’s a bit more coverage on the top half, I like going for a barely-there sandal and adding a bag in a contrasting colour.

Earrings* / vest* / jumper* / trousers* / flip-flops* / bag*

ALL WHITE BASE OUTFIT + JUMPER ROUND WAIST + TOP HANDLE BAG. I know I keep going on about it, but I’m fully converted to the ‘jumper round the waist’ life. I love the layering and the convenience of having a jumper with you - especially given the weather lately! I use it as a tool to break up a monochrome outfit, and here I love the colours together - the cream, the grey, the black of the sandal just peeking through, and the brown bag acts as a bit of a ‘colour’. Well, my version of colour.

Earrings* / shirt* / shorts* / flats* / bag*

CRISP SHIRT + DENIM SHORTS + CHIC FLATS + TEXTURED BAG. Aside from the final look, this one comes in a close second as my personal favourite. It just feels so put together but chill at the same time. I think a patterned shirt works really well here, and if you have one, something with stripes or a bit of colour adds some interest. But it’s about the shorts/shoes combo. The non-distressed denim feels a bit more polished, and the very chic and simple shoe takes it to quite an elevated place. Flip-flops or sandals would be a great way to dress it down for the weekend.

Earrings* / dress* / shoes* / bag*

MINI SHIFT LINEN DRESS + UNUSUAL SHOE + TEXTURED BAG. I cannot get enough of this formula. I love the way it combines my three words so effortlessly; with the dress bringing a classic feel, the shoes adding a polished vibe and then the bag bringing an ‘undoneness’ to the whole thing. I feel like two elements are key. The shoes have to be a bit unusual - be it in shape or texture. Think Allison’s ‘Wrong Shoe’ theory here. Then imagine this with a smooth leather tote bag? It just wouldn’t be the same. Because the dress is so classic, a textured bag helps to add some contrast, so go for something that’s rope, or raffia or a woven leather to break it up.

I must add that even when I say ‘hot’, I’m talking like 24℃ with a light sea breeze. Honestly that’s my perfect summer weather right there. Anything hotter and I’d be suggesting linen on linen-only and being as near to naked as possible. I hope this inspires you to have a play in your wardrobe and cook up some new recipes. Fancy seeing me more often in your inbox? Subscribe! I’d love to be there!

Anna x