By the middle of summer, your meager warm-weather wardrobe is starting to feel like a style rut. It’s time to shake it up, so here are some new looks to try this summer
Try white-on-white: Yes, this is a risky one, but it looks so polished it’s worth a try. Make sure at least one piece is tailored – perhaps a blazer with white straight-leg jeans and a plain tee. Keep it fairly loose and comfortable for that effortless aesthetic.
Team your all-white look with caramel suede pumps, a pair of white trainers or complement your jewellery with gold or silver sandals.
Crop it: Add a pair of cropped wide-leg trousers into your work wardrobe rotation. The silhouette looks chic and fresh, and they’ll work as well with a shirt as they would with a silk top. Dress them up with heeled sandals or down with plain white sneakers. A twill pair in taupe, cream, navy or black will go with both brights and other neutrals.
Double up on print: This is a great way to wear existing pieces in your wardrobe in a new way. It’ll require a bit of trial-and-error outfit planning and perhaps the help of a trusted friend: someone you can count on for an honest opinion when you’re trying to decide if last summer’s leopard-print skirt really goes with the floral shirt you found in the sales (it probably does).
Don’t overdo it though – stick to two prints only, and keep the overall look sleek – ruffles or puffed sleeves will be the best. You could wear two different florals together, or two takes on polka dots, but leave the double animal prints out.
Cover up in a kimono: A lightweight kimono or robe in a beautiful print is the perfect throw-over piece for those days when a jacket is too much and bare arms too little. Long or short, you can throw one over your sleek top and trousers when the office air-conditioning is on too high, or team it with a white tee and jeans for a weekend look with a little fashion flair.
Dressy dungarees: They are very versatile, and you don’t have to restrict yourself to denim styles, linen iterations are a lovely option for summer or silk too, offers an alternative to traditional denim. Slouchy, printed styles work best summer holidays.
Pair some cropped dungarees with killer boots for more of a glammed-up look. If you don’t own cropped dungas, simply roll up the legs for the same effect.
Marvel at monochrome: If you are stuck in a sea of black and gray, try dressing in a monochromatic color scheme. Put things together that you never would have thought of before. Pair the red jeans with the red blouse and some camel shoes. Wake up those green pants with a green button down and silver shoes. Try denim on denim with a belt, if you really must keep wearing jeans.
