Summer Style Rules: Your New Capsule Wardrobe Sorted

The countdown to summer is on. With temperatures rising, vacations on the horizon, and a host of new trends appearing in stores and magazines, there’s no better excuse to revamp your wardrobe. If you’re keen to inject some summer style, here are some tips to help you create a chic new capsule wardrobe, which will ensure you look the part, whatever the occasion.

Choosing materials

In the summer months, it’s all about keeping cool and feeling comfortable, as well as looking fabulous. It’s all very well sporting an incredible outfit, but you don’t want to be restricted by what you wear or be in the situation where you’re counting down the seconds until you can get home and change. When it’s warm and muggy outside, stick to light materials, such as cotton and linen. Avoid anything too heavy like wool or leather, and opt for styles that aren’t too clingy. Natural fibers are best for hot days, especially in the city.

Colours and tones

Summer is great for fashion lovers because the rules are much more relaxed than in the cooler months. Almost anything goes when it comes to colours and tones, and you can embrace everything from neon brights to subtle pastel shades. Vibrant colours like canary yellow, hot pink, and cobalt blue work brilliantly for tropical vacations while softer sorbet hues of mint, rose, lilac and lemon are perfect for formal occasions, such as weddings or a day at the races. Whatever the season, it’s always a good idea to consider your skin tone when choosing shades. Try different colours on, and see what complements your complexion. You want to aim for tones that make your skin glow and your eyes shine bright, rather than those that wash you out.

Hero pieces

Every season has its own selection of hero pieces. In the summer months, designers are all about enabling you to look chic without feeling uncomfortable. This year, there are some great alternatives around if you don’t want to go down the well-trodden route of wearing shorts and skirts in the summer. Jumpsuits and culottes are everywhere, and you’ll also find a range of dresses adorning the store windows. If you’re not a fan of the mini, opt for midi or maxi styles. Go for jersey or cotton for a laid-back daytime look. Summer isn’t summer without some vacation staples, so don’t worry if you’re not ready to part with your Daisy Dukes or your white skinny jeans just yet. You can update your look by trying out the latest trends on your top half and adding some seasonal accessories. This summer, baring your shoulders is all the rage, so team denim cut-offs with a Bardot or cold-shoulder top and some vintage style studded sandals. Round off the look with an ear cuff, some stacked rings, and an anklet.

Personalizing your look

Fashion means a lot to many of us. Most of us take inspiration from magazines articles, catwalk shows, and Instagram feeds, but that doesn’t mean there’s a limited range of items you can wear each season. There’s no rule about trying something different or mixing and matching pieces to create a unique look. The beauty of fashion is that we all have our own interpretation of style. If you’d rather stand out from the crowd than blend in, you may be keen to add a personal touch to your wardrobe. You can do this by using your unique style to put items and looks together, but you can also use your creatively to create custom jewelry or bespoke items of clothing. If you want to turn up a party knowing that nobody else will be wearing the same outfit, this is a good road to take. You can bring even the most basic, minimal look to life with a statement necklace, some eye-catching earrings or a breathtakingly beautiful watch. You can also update your clothing collection. If you’ve got an old denim jacket lying around, for example, why not refresh and revive it by adding some embroidery, sewing some personalized patches on or experimenting with coloured dyes?

As summer approaches, it’s time to start thinking about putting outfits together, dressing for the weather, and experimenting and having fun with fashion. When the sun is beating down, comfort is everything, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be stylish at the same time. Opt for light materials and pieces like wide-legged trousers, culottes, skirts, and maxi dresses. Mix and match trends, celebrate your individual style and don’t be afraid to add some personal touches.

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