Krissy TURNER
Whether you’re home or escaping further afield, says Krissy Turner, here are the nine chic home-grown pieces you need to see out the summer in style
After weeks of false starts, it seems summer is finally here, but after spending so long in leggings and T-shirts around the house, you’d be forgiven for falling at the first hurdle: what to wear. While this summer might not have the same carefree feeling as ones gone by, our outfits needn’t reflect that; a heatwave is a heatwave, after all, and if you’re planning a seaside jaunt or finally able to visit a country home, you’ll need a capsule wardrobe to beat the heat in.
If you’d normally up the ante abroad, apply the same principles when dressing for staycation soirées. A joy-bringing skirt should be your starting point: this zingy Boden number ticks the beachwear box, and will look just as good with a swimsuit and slides as it would with this floral V-neck tee and mules for evening. If you’re pairing it with a T-shirt, avoid grey marl for the obvious sweat reasons. Boden also does a range of linen crewnecks (from £24 in the sale, boden.co.uk) so add one of those in white to your basket while you’re at it.
What with hair appointments still some way off for many, there’s enough for us to complain about without sore feet to add to the mix. Avoid anything too flat, which will burn after a 10-minute walk, and opt for chunkier sandals instead; the added height brings a glamorous feel while the flatform should keep your toes free of stones (no promises, however). With the mercury declaring it official sandal weather (and a professional pedicure still a distant dream), a five-minute DIY buff-and-file job on your feet will make all the difference, and a bold nail polish choice will distract from any issues requiring expert attention.
On to dresses. A breezy floral frock with added waft is perfect for throwing on over your cossie. A busy print, like this Lily and Lionel number, means you can scrunch it up and stash it in your bag without fear of it looking creased following a cooling dip in the sea.
Speaking of bags, straw baskets can often feel cumbersome thanks to their width, so this slimmer, structured version with comfortable handles is a welcome alternative. Betsy & Floss has a varied selection, with options smaller and larger than this and with long shoulder straps. This sweet iteration is still roomy enough for snacks, a blanket and your SPF.
Accessories-wise, you mustn’t forget to pack your sunnies. They’re a must-have for the long drive to the coast and will be a godsend once you get there – remember, sunglasses are the fine line between relaxing on a deckchair with a Mr Whippy, and having to sit under a parasol with a towel over your face and a migraine. I love Vow London’s modern shapes, which are all under £100, but if you’ve deeper pockets, look to Cutler and Gross and Finlay London for classic shapes you’ll wear forever. While a cotton headband will keep your hair off your face, I’d counsel you upgrade to a sunhat, which your scalp will thank you for (though you’d also be forgiven for picking one with a much wider brim than this pom-pom-trimmed offering to ensure social distancing is maintained).
If you’re spending the rest of the week at home, you’ll need to note the two sartorial perils of heatwave garden dressing: sweat patches and grass stains. A printed frock with a dark or bright base hue should disguise both. Ghost come up trumps for garden frocks: this floral offering has all the flattering properties we know and love of a wrap dress (slight V-neck, nipped-in waist: check, check) but without the actual wrap element. This means it nicely avoids any fussing or flashing when you sit on the grass, while still skimming your bottom and hips. Pair with espadrilles, cat-eye sunnies and a linen blazer if you’re having to make a return to the office. Shirt dresses are ideal for this, too, and Hush is a handy source of bright, 100 per cent cotton options.
For those, like me, whose thighs mean floaty dresses in the heat are unbearable, wearing shorts underneath is often ill-advised: I find the restrictiveness counteracts any breeziness my sundress should offer, and I’d rather not add another layer in 30-degree heat, thank you. May I counter with linen trousers for summer in the city dressing instead?
Speaking of bags, straw baskets can often feel cumbersome thanks to their width, so seek out a structured tote that’s still roomy enough to fit your snacks, blanket and SPF: the checked Loeffler Randall tote, far right, is fabulous, while the round Betsy & Floss basket bag, also far right, is ideal if you travel light.
A breezy floral frock with added waft is perfect for throwing on over a cossie