15 ways to be summer ready in an instant
As our crazy climate goes from chilly to balmy in days ...
1 Skip your pedicure with bright loafers
NO TIME for a pedicure? A pair of bright, leather loafers will give a pop of colour to your look, while hiding neglected toes, unsightly bunions and winter-ravaged heels. These also have a cushioned sole, so you can wear them all day without your feet aching.
2 Go bold — try a pair of statement earrings
Statement earrings, such as these clusters of tropical flowers from Zara, are a cheap way to inject a burst of summer colour into a climate-cautious wardrobe.
3 The floaty kimono you can wear five different ways
FOR less than £20, a kimono jacket is not only a clever and fashionable style update, but it’s also a cheap one!
Flattering and floaty, they cover arms and can be worn over dresses and blouses, or as a belted top with jeans.
M& S has just launched a kimono kaftan that can be tied five different ways to make five garments, including blouse, jacket and dress.
4 Ditch black — and invest in a slogan Breton top
a Breton top will instantly break up the black in your wardrobe. the most fashionable styles this year are embellished with sequins or emblazoned with a slogan. a longsleeve version will gently ease you into the spring sunshine. Breton top, £40, boden.co.uk
5 Play safe in cut-out dresses
IF YOU’RE itching to put on a summer dress, but you’re not ready to reveal pale, wintry flesh, choose a crochet or lasercut design.
This dual-purpose style does a wonderful job of revealing — and concealing. It acts like net curtains for your body.
6 Swap dark denim for white
JUST when we thought we’d seen the back of them, white jeans have made another triumphant return.
Net-a-Porter alone has 46 designer versions — from wide flares to neatly fitted.
So much cooler (in every way) than dark denim, a looser style worn with a pretty top and sandals will cover pale legs, but instantly signal summer.
Just steer clear of the Liz Hurley look — she wears them skin tight. Boyfriend jeans, £99, baukjen.com
7 Choose an ice cream colour
a trench coat is a spring staple, but traditional beige will wash out lacklustre skin that hasn’t seen the sun in months.
Invest instead in a pastel shade. this Jigsaw version, which has a detachable collar, is the perfect replacement for a winter coat. the summery hue is so flattering.
8 Hide pasty legs behind a colourful printed midi dress
BE THANKFUL for the huge crop of floaty, feminine tea dresses in prints, florals and polka dots. The length to go for is mid-calf, as this will be long enough to cover winter legs, but light enough not to leave you sweltering on a hot day.
9 There’s a shade of yellow for every skin tone
YELLOW can be surprisingly flattering and gives a splash of sunshine to an outfit. Just be sure to choose the right shade.
Fair skin tones suit mustards or darker hues, olive skin tones look best in sunshine yellow, while darker skin tones can carry off any shade. Try a pretty top to ease you in.
10 Opt for a side-slit skirt
ANYTHING above the knee will feel too daring for most people, but summer skirts don’t have to be a no-no if you shop wisely. Look out for styles with a short side split — such as this pleated design by Hush. It flashes a little skin, but it’s long enough to cover knees and legs. In summer, you could wear it over a swimsuit, but this weekend, it would look chic with sandals and a T-shirt.
11 Refresh an old look with a wicker bag
Summer signals wicker baskets and, sure enough, Vogue has tipped the straw shopper to be the bag of summer. As it’s only April, and few of us will be heading to the beach just yet, a better buy now is a round, cross-body style that gives a summery update to a work outfit.
12 Slim down in seconds
IF YOU’RE yet to start the annual bikini diet, but want to squeeze into last year’s summer dresses, try the new full-body Spanx suit.
It may be a wrestle to get on, but it will compress you in all the right places ( thighs, waist and tummy) and lift you where you need it (bottom and bust).
13 Dare to bare your ankles
CAprI trousers — which are cropped at the ankle — look summery, without showing too much leg. Wear with a kitten heel and a crisp shirt for a smart, seasonal look. If your ankles and feet are a little too pale, apply this Works perfect Legs Sculpt and Shine cream (left, £28, john lewis.com).
this gives skin a bit of colour and a warm, flattering glow with minimal effort. Capri trousers, £119, hobbs.co.uk
14 Layer sheer sleeves to disguise bingo wings
After a long winter, there’s nothing worse than being forced to unveil pasty, wobbly arms. So m&S has come up with an ingenious solution — a sheer lace arm cover to be worn under sleeveless dresses. It also has elasticised support to help control the wobbles.
15 Swap a thick coat for a tailored blazer
DITCH winter woollies for a smart, pastel-coloured blazer. A tailored cut that holds its shape is far more flattering than the loose, oversized, boxy styles that youngsters are keen on. There’s no need to hark back to the Eighties. Linen blazer, £139,
joules.com