THE NEW LINE-UP
All hail the stripe
When it’s hot, rethink your suits with matching blazer and shorts. Worn together or as separates, opt for a more modest top to balance the flesh on show. A polo shirt and sliders add youthful energy.
Jacket, £159; shorts, £55, both 6-18, Hobbs. Polo shirt, £14.90, xxs-xxl, Uniqlo. Bag, £19.50, Marks & Spencer. Sliders, £15.99, 6-12, Adidas at Deichmann (deichmann.com)
We love the Breton, but this summer we’re letting our legs take centre stage in striped trousers. The vertical lines will make you seem taller – tuck in your top to define your waist!
OPPOSITE Blouse, £169, 8-18, Luisa Cerano (luisacerano.com). Trousers, £495, 8-16, Amanda Wakeley (amandawakeley.com/uk). Sunglasses, £17.99, Mango
For any woman who refuses to be invisible, graphic bands of vibrant, mood-lifting colour are your quick route into summer. Keep your look modern by finishing with a white waterproof jacket to make your brights pop. Effortless and full of elegance, you’ve nailed smart-casual dressing.
Jacket, £34.90, xxs-xxl, Uniqlo. Top, £45, 8-20, Jasper Conran at Debenhams. Trousers, £90, 6-22, Boden
The simplicity of a striped shirt dress lends itself to long summer days that lead into even longer nights. Wear with sunnies and flat sandals for day; up the look with mid-heeled mules and minimal accessories after dark.
Dress, £345, 8-18, Luisa Cerano (luisacerano.com). Sunglasses, £48, Anthropologie
Sleek and chic, plus an easy way of wearing print if you’re a print-phobe, you can’t go wrong with a few striped pieces. The striped jacket’s biggest virtue is that you look stylish the moment you put one on. Still shy? Opt for pleating as an alternative way to add vertical lines to your look.
Jacket, £365, 8-18, Airfield. Dress, £650, 6-18, Goat (goatfashion.com). Sliders, £89, 2-9, Kurt Geiger
For a less-is-more approach, try a Breton or a thin pinstripe. Minimalists will love this subtly striped coordinating jacket and trouser set. Vertical lines draw the eye up and down, creating a lean silhouette. A white T-shirt and trainers add a modern twist.
Blazer, £299; trousers, £169, both 6-16, ME+EM (meandem.com). T-shirt, £15, xs-l, Cos. Trainers, £44.99, 4-8, Adidas at Deichmann (deichmann.com)
Knowing how to wear stripes comes down to one rule: treat them as if they were another neutral colour in your wardrobe. This means you can definitely wear them with other prints. Our favourite combo is stripes and florals, or simply use stripes to give wardrobe basics a je ne sais quoi.
Polo shirt, £140, 4-18, Lacoste. Skirt, £109, 6-18, Mint Velvet (mintvelvet.co.uk). Sliders, £49, 3-8, Miss KG at Kurt Geiger
The statement dress is still your hero buy for summer. Refined long sleeves and a sophisticated midi hemline make this vertical and horizontal hotchpotch striped dress both flattering and grown-up. Wear with kooky colour-pop sunglasses.
Dress, £75, 6-18, Studio By Preen at Debenhams. Sunglasses, £325, Marni (marni.com). Sliders, £89, 2-9, Kurt Geiger
A good cashmere jumper is a year-round staple and pretty tough to pass on. Wide bands of colour will instantly bring life to trusty jeans or dress down shimmering skirts for the perfect laid-back luxe mix.
Jumper, £225, xs-xl, Velvet by Graham & Spencer at velvet-tees.co.uk. Skirt, £125, 4-14, Tommy Hilfiger
Contrary to what you might think, horizontal stripes can be figureflattering. The trick is to find silhouettes that suit you. This striking dress ticks all the boxes for bottom-heavy pear shapes. Clever horizontal lines widen a slimmer top half, giving the illusion of balancing your figure.
Dress, £209, 8-18, Oui (oui.com). Sandals, £27, 3-8, Dune