These are the 19 summer style staples that every insider has in their wardrobes
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Ride the heatwave out in style with this line-up of sartorial essentials, which will make summer dressing a breeze.
The Big Melt is finally here in all of its sweltering, head-in-the-fridge non-glory. Depending on how you’re viewing the current hot spell, the chances are you’re trying to compute how to exist/work/live in the soaring temperatures. While on the one hand, the heatwave has meant that our sun-deprived skins will finally no longer be pallid and vitamin D-neglected and our hands will once again be reunited with a glass of Aperol, it hasn’t all been plain sailing.
The return of something that resembles summer is something to be heralded by many, yet our attentions must once again be turned towards our tired and lacklustre summer wardrobes. After several summers of stop-and-start lockdowns, courtesy of the government’s omni-dithering, there’s a high chance you’re lacking a few key essentials to make getting dressed in the heat a breeze.
Whether you’re opting for Hot Girl Summer, Cool Girl Summer or the newly coined, and my personal favourite, Feral Girl Summer, there is attention to be paid to our long-suffering wardrobes. When was the last time you invested in a show-stopping pair of shades? When was the last time you considered squeezing your toes into anything other than trainers, clogs or – gulp – maybe even Crocs? When was the last time you pondered what to wear in a temperature higher than 20°C? As I thought.
Which is precisely why we decided that it’s time for a summer style refresh. Think back to school, but make it fashion and far less arduous and algebra-filled. In case the sun is blinding your vision and your sartorial clarity, we’ve rounded up the key items that every fashion insider has lining the inner sanctums of their seasonal wardrobes to take the stress out of summertime styling. You’re welcome.
Veja Dekkan trainers
Veja Dekkan trainers Wherever a style insider goes, a pair of Veja treads are sure to follow and that’s certainly true of these creamy chunky sneakers, which are perfect for a warm weather stroll in the park.
Reformation Keaton dress
Reformation Keaton dress Forget buying a legion of forgettable frocks and instead invest in quality over quantity. This punchy-toned mini is positively crying out for a spin in the sun.
More Joy fan
More Joy fan The accessory of the summer season? Why, a fan of course. Keep the sticky heat at bay with Christopher Kane’s More Joy fan, which manages to be both fashionable and functional.
Catch Rhys The Twisted Chunky Hoops
Catch Rhys The Twisted Chunky Hoops You’re only ever as stylish as the hoops that swing in your ear, regardless of the season. Opt for the best of the best in that case then with these solid gold hoops courtesy of east London label Catch Rhys.
St. Agni fine knit tank top
St. Agni fine knit tank top Forget everything you thought you knew: the plain white T-shirt is dead, replaced now by its more streamlined sibling, the plain white tank top. A true forever classic in every fashion insider’s wardrobe.
Missoma x Le Specs Hydrus link oval sunglasses
Missoma x Le Specs Hydrus link oval sunglasses Yes, you read that right: Missoma, the jewellery brand beloved for its bling, has debuted sunglasses just in time for summer. The London label has teamed up with cult sunnies brand Le Specs for a collection of shades that are too good to miss. We’ll take one of each to line our summer wardrobes, thank you very much.
With Nothing Underneath boyfriend linen shirt
With Nothing Underneath Boyfriend linen shirt Linen shirts are to summer what strawberries are to cream: a no-brainer. The style set wear theirs during the warmer months over baggy shorts with a wicker basket and potentially even a picnic in tow.
Kurt Geiger Orson sandals
Kurt Geiger Orson sandals Cool, chunky and comfortable, you say? Well, don’t mind if we do. It’s time to give those feet a bit of TLC before letting them shine in Kurt Geiger’s forever dad-inspired sandals.
You Swim Aplomb one-piece swimsuit
You Swim Aplomb one-piece swimsuit The chameleon-esque qualities of a swimsuit in summer are two-fold: not only are they fantastic for a dip in the lido/sea/paddling pool, they can also just as seamlessly be tucked into shorts or a skirt for a tank top. Two birds, one stone.
Asos Design wide-leg linen trousers
Asos Design wide-leg linen trousers Easy-breezy and the sort of forever trouser you’ll whip out of retirement time after time, invest in some linen flares and just watch as they effortlessly become the hardest-working member of your summer wardrobe.
Rogue Matilda Jessica bag
Rogue Matilda Jessica bag Ah, the British seaside. For all of its faults, it’s pretty special to be able to nip to the coast and sit stationed on a towel with a beer in one hand, a book in another, and once the sun dips below the horizon, be able to throw everything into a stylish mega tote. This woven rainbow number is summer style personified.
Freedom Moses Angie slides
Freedom Moses Angie slides Summer slides, but as you’ve never seen them before. Tel Aviv-based brand Freedom Moses is making the case for slides that are equal parts cool and comfortable, and frankly, we (and the rest of the fashion world) are sold. The best part? The brand will be dropping on Asos later this summer.
Martha Calvo Make Your Magic necklace
Martha Calvo Make Your Magic necklace More-is-more jewellery is every fashion lover’s secret style weapon during the warmer months. Pile the loudest and most outré bling on and let it do all of the talking for you.
Shop Martha Calvo Make Your Magic necklace at Twiin Store, £115
Teva Hurricane Drift sandals
Teva Hurricane Drift sandals Teva’s newly-released Hurricane Drift sandals have slowly but surely become this summer’s most hard-working shoe. We’ll be reaching for the lavender blue and blush pink shades as the cherry on top of the cake for all of our summer ensembles.
Cos straw sun hat
Cos straw sun hat It’s hot, it’s balmy, it’s time for a sun hat (don’t shoot the messenger). Embrace this floppy nostalgic woven topper with a glass of Aperol in hand for optimal seasonal style points.
Ganni leopard linen canvas coat
Ganni leopard linen canvas coat Linen coats are the perfect antidote to the slight summer breezes that tend to turn balmy days into chilly evenings. Weave some pattern into your warm weather wardrobe with Ganni’s animal-print linen number.
River Island white broderie smock dress
River Island white broderie smock dress A floor-sweeping maxi dress is a seasonal all-rounder, but none are created more perfectly for this time of year than those crafted from broderie anglaise.
JJXX oversized shirt co-ord
JJXX oversized shirt co-ord A breezy co-ord is a no-brainer when it comes to summer; perfect for keeping you looking and feeling cool, this apple green cotton shirt two-piece will be a warm weather dream.
Peachy Den The Dita skort
Peachy Den The Dita skort Skorts are this summer’s biggest comeback kid, and really, they’re the perfect accoutrement to the warmer months.
Images: Getty; courtesy of brands