We are stuck in a perpetual winter here in England but I’m being optimistic and still thinking about Spring/Summer fashion. Here’s 10 things I think make the perfect capsule wardrobe this season.
1) Lightweight Outerwear
Brits never put their coats into storage because one minute we could be in a slip dress and strappy sandals and the next we’ll need a padded down jacket and wellington boots! It’s therefore important to have a strong collection of coats and jackets in your wardrobe.
The trench coat is a staple for most women, camel being my colour of choice, and denim and leather jackets are timeless trends that are both having fashion ‘moments’ right now. Wear a leather or denim jacket over a printed profile dress to add edge to a romantic, feminine look.
2) The Crossbody That’s Also a Clutch
Huge handbags are inching their way back into fashion but in my wardrobe, a smaller crossbody is always my go-to. They are harder to fill with rubbish I don’t need and don’t cause any strain on my back or shoulders. If you’re a lover of huge handbags or you need one for the office, pop a smaller crossbody in your big bag so you don’t have to take all your belongings with you when you nip out for lunch.
Clutches are hugely in style right now. Thanks to designers like Bottega Veneta, they’ve made the leap from evening to everyday accessory. Make your money go further by buying a crossbody with a detachable chain so you can switch up your look whenever you feel like it. Lighter handbags in neutral tones are perfect for Spring/Summer.
3) A (Groundbreaking) Floral Dress
I’ve worn nothing but floral dresses this season. Not only are they eye-catching when you do venture outside but they are relaxed and comfortable enough to work from home in all day. H&M have some wonderful affordable designs and, of the more premium brands, Ted Baker always deliver when it comes to floral dresses.
If you’re a lover of neutrals, dresses are the pieces you can afford to be more playful with, as you don’t have to worry as much about how to style them. And floral dresses are so easy to dress up or down - add heels and a clutch for date night or slides and a bucket bag for your daily walk. (Visit my Instagram to watch my IGTV where I style the same floral dress from Joules for every single season!)
4) A Camisole in a Neutral Colour
I don’t think I could live without my camis in Summer. Because I only buy them in neutral tones, they go with all my other pieces and they keep me cool when it’s hot (and can also be easily covered with a jumper if it suddenly gets cold again!).
Pair a skintight cami with a paperbag a-line skirt or a floaty cami with a pair of high-waisted jeans to balance out your look. The high street is a great resource for camis - H&M and River Island provide good quality for a low price.
5) A Pleated Midi Skirt
Thankfully this trend isn’t going anywhere. At 5 feet tall, I used to turn my nose up at midi lengths because I thought they would cut me in half (whatever that means) but it’s actually a very flattering, elegant length. The pleated midi works for any occasion: add a crop top and flip-flops for holidays; a slogan tee and bright white trainers for a trip to the shops; or a silk cami and heeled 90s sandals for a wedding.
Midi skirts are also a great transitional piece as they are surprisingly warm and look great with opaque tights and boots.
6) Neutral Knitwear
Knitwear isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of SS20 fashion but I bet you wear it more often than you realise in these warmer months. It is especially useful for the unpredictable British Springtime.
Lightweight jumpers and cardigans are fantastic assets at this time of year. I like to go for neutral colours like cream or oatmeal as these can be thrown over any outfit (as you skip merrily out the door in your summery clothes then realise, to your dismay, that it’s p*ing it down).
7) Slidin’ into Summer
Those flip-flops that give you blisters between your toes? Chuck them away and get yourself a pair of slides. I adore my white Birkenstocks (uncomfortable when you first try them on but with wear they mould to your foot shape and begin to feel like a second skin) and my Hermes dupes from Dune, which are so comfortable that I’ve taken to wearing those around the house instead of slippers.
There are plenty of choices for SS20 footwear, the most obvious being the 90s-inspired barely-there sandal, but you can’t go wrong with a comfy pair of slides.
8) You Can Leave Your Hat On
Apart from little old ladies doing their gardening, most British women wear their floppy sunhats on holiday and then shove them to the back of cobwebby cupboards for the rest of the year. It’s such a shame because sunhats add instant glamour to an outfit and they also protect your skin from the sun so why wouldn’t you want to wear them?
The slogan hat was a trend I loved and will probably never move on from - see my ‘Do Not Disturb’ hat which is all over my Instagram. You can also use big floppy hats to spy on good-looking surfers, a la Samantha from Sex and the City.
9) ‘Hiding from the Paparazzi’ Sunglasses
These are in every fashionista’s collection and are one of the few accessories that the majority of shoppers are happy to splash out on. Bigger has been better for a long time when it comes to sunnies - there was a brief spell where skinny sunglasses tried to take the limelight but we still all crave the Audrey Hepburn look. Tiffany & Co are of course the perfect place to buy a glam pair of sunglasses.
Like floppy hats, a huge pair of dark sunglasses instantly elevate your outfit and add some Hollywood glamour.
10) A Pair of Culottes
Like floral dresses, culottes are amazing to work from home in because they are just SO comfortable. It feels just like wearing pyjamas!
Culottes always garner compliments and can easily be smartened up for the office. Pair with a floral crop top and wedges to tick off the retro flower-power trend this season.
These 10 pieces in a few different colours and styles will give you the ultimate capsule wardrobe for SS20. Stick to neutral tones with the odd pop of a brighter colour to ensure everything can be worn together and you’ll always have a timeless look.
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