Summer Wardrobe Essentials

For many, warmer weather can be overwhelming in terms of how to dress in comfort while remaining professional or in line with your personal style.

My clients often come to me because they want to build their confidence with dressing, and this means any time of year! So, in this blog, I wanted to share with you the essential pieces for your summer wardrobe, to boost confidence and make dressing the easiest part of your day.

Consider the fabrics first

The power of the right fabric can completely transform how you feel every day. From blended linens which are breathable, comfortable and usually more oversized, so they can work for many body types; cotton is soft and lightweight as well as usually more budget-friendly; chambray, which looks like lightweight denim but is woven more loosely, meaning it is more breathable than denim; as well as silks and viscose.

Essentially, the best fabrics for your summer wardrobe are often natural, and floaty, allowing for better air flow and less clingy for the skin.

Within this, you'll want to look for undergarments in these fabrics too, to keep you cool all day and comfortable from the base layer to the top!

Your Guide to Building Your Summer Wardrobe

Now we know what to look for on the labels of the garments we want to add to our wardrobe for summer, I have put together some of my top picks for your wardrobe during the season.

Below I do share specific advice for different style personality types; if you don't know which one aligns for you, go here to download my quick Style Personality quiz!

Starting with the bottoms

You may feel that there are only a couple of options for bottoms when it comes to this season, but depending on the top half, and the shoes you wear with them, you can still wear your favourite tailored trousers or even your jeans!

If you do want to try something a little more summery, you can't go wrong with a midi skirt which seems to be on trend every year, and can be dressed up or down quite easily. It also suits a variety of different body shapes, and works well for those with a curvier bottom half as you can put on "chub rub" shorts underneath to remain comfortable without the need of tights.

Capris are also making a comeback from their 90's hits, so if you prefer a trouser, but want the same length of a midi skirt, look for capris and add them to your wardrobe.

Finally, it wouldn't be a summer wardrobe without talking about shorts. Depending on your leg length and your comfort levels, shorts are something I wish more women would try in their wardrobe. It makes us more comfortable in the warmer weather, and there are plenty of options for more classic styling as well as more romantic looks with frills and lace options available.

When it comes to shorts, the length and shape is imperative to the confidence you will feel in them - consider a wider leg for more formal and professional looks, as well as comfort when sitting, particularly if you have stronger thighs. Steer clear of denim shorts unless you have a more athletic build, and try to find pairs with some lycra in them so they give when you sit.

Different Tops for Summer

Depending on the weather, you may need to have additional tops to layer over your shoulders, not only to protect from the sun, but for cooler evenings. Loose, oversized linen button-ups are fantastic, but depending on your body shape and style personality, this can feel "off" when you put one on. The same can happen for a "basic tee" - while it can feel perfect for natural personality types who prioritise comfort and ease, dramatic, creative and even city chic personality types feel a basic tee is not quite right for them.

If you are a romantic personality type, then you need to find options with either patterns that feel more suited to your wardrobe, or with details such as lace sleeves or frills, as well as necklines like Peter Pan collars to add that romantic touch.

For city chic personalities, a basic tee will not work for you; instead, look for structured shirts or blouses, perhaps that have some additional tailoring to them, keeping within your preferred monochrome or muted colour schemes.

Creative style personalities will want to look for fun textures, prints or colours so you can express your love for fashion as an art form.

Dramatic style personalities will want to look for a statement - consider looking in a high end vintage store, or independent fashion house for a unique top that is in a fabric that works for the warmer weather.

Finally, the classic personality type will want to look for tops that are of a timeless shape and in a high quality fabric that will last you for years to come. Neutral and timeless basics are where you feel most confident, so consider looking for linen shirts in a blend so they don't crease, or silk blouses. Tops with collars also feel perfect for your personality.

As with any item of clothing, if you want to try out the trend, give yourself space and time to find the right size, neckline, and arm length for your preferences. For example, those with a larger bust may prefer a square neck tee, while those with smaller busts may feel more comfortable with a round neck, more classic shape.

If you prefer wearing dresses during this time of year, I have created this blog on how to choose the perfect summer dress.

Essential Accessories for Summer

Accessories are the finishing touch to any outfit. If you ever feel like an outfit is not quite as stylish as you hope it would be, you may be missing an accessory (or two).

For summer, we need to consider the sunshine and whether necklaces or other jewellery in specific metals may get warm on our skin. With this in mind, I tend to recommend accessories that are either protective or can be comfortably kept out of the warmest part of the day.

Starting with the summer hat! This seems to be an accessory that my clients either love or hate on themselves. Summer hats can feel impeccably cool on some of us, while on others it may feel a bit "much" - it's all about the shape, the styling and of course, the confidence! Whether you are just looking to protect yourself from the sun with a classic baseball cap, a more fun wide-brimmed sunhat, or even a straw fedora hat, it can be a great finishing accessory for your outfit. As with all of these pieces, I highly recommend considering your style personality and your current wardrobe first, before wondering why a specific style of hat doesn't fel quite right - it may be that it just doesn't align with your style.

Shoes are another excellent accessory that can make an outfit feel more summery in an instant. Think about swapping out your boots with wedge sandals or even kitten heels. Just because it is warmer doesn't mean you need to give up the beautiful shoes you love, just change out of socks or hosiery, and use footsies to keep your feet comfortable in the shoes.

Bags are not only an essential for many of us when we head out (where are the pockets!) but can be one of my favourite finishing touches for a look. With so many styles on the market that feel appropriate for the summer - think crochet, straw and raffia bags that are filling the stores at the moment - you can really add your style personality with a bag. Not only is it beneficial for bringing all your essentials, it can also be the finishing touch to an outfit that may feel more simplistic.

So - what will you be adding to your summer wardrobe this year? If you have any questions, or would like to receive ongoing advice and styling tips, take a look at my Style Club, built for women just like you!