Moving to Auckland, I’ve had a rapid changeover from tights and thick knits to shorts and sunnies. Even though it’s technically the end of the Kiwi summer, pretty much every day is a bikni-at-the-beach one. For anyone else who is set to be graced with good weather (England’s heatwave?!), here are my early summer style tips!
Prints
Bye bye block colour and hello…well, anything you want on your dress! Paisley, floral, fruit, animals-they’re all going to be making appearances this summer. It is the ultimate way to feminine style, but you can easily add some edge to your outfit with a leather jacket or boyfriend blazer. Prints and patterns means saving £££ too, as you’ll find more than what you’re after in thrift and charity shops.
White blazer
Hermès showed us how it was done at Fashion Week and now it seems everyone wants to jump on this trend. Adding instant class to any outfit, this white blazer will see you look chic whenever you wear it. The crispness of the white will also not make you feel that you’re giving into the chill.
Dungarees
No longer just for five-year-olds. Be it original denim, polka dot, floral print-whatever. Dungarees are an excellent change from regular denim shorts and can be just as casual. Play around with tops and t-shirts to create your own unique style and embrace everyone’s favourite all-in-one. Banish any midriff fears and happily wear crop tops again.
Bright nail polish
Pastels are adorable but seeing as they are taking up so much the spotlight in clothing, brights can claim nails. I always feel bubblier with vivid tips and find it fun to match or clash. Tip: paint your nails after a day at the beach (or the playground’s sandpit, if you’re limited) as you’re hands will be naturally exfoliated when you get home. No need to pay for a manicure this season.
Don’t buy rings!
There’s not point. Your fingers swell up in the heat (no, I know it’s not a nice thought, but we’re all humans-it happens!) so you’re going to end up buying the wrong size. This coming from a girl who has a ring for every finger and is still buying. Trust me. Go crazy when the sun goes away.
Headpieces
When the sun is blazing, I can personally not stand having my hair down. It’s long and thick and the idea of it being on my neck is so unappealing. But a bun is not every girl’s best friend. Solution? Put something in your hair. My favourite staple is actually a turquoise silk scarf that I got free in a Shout! magazine (who remembers those days?!) and it saves me every time. Other options which are great are large bow headbands, flower garlands, oversized flowers, feathers… The list is endless but just be creative. My bad hair days are often when I get the most compliments because of the above ^^.
Cotton shorts
Now, don’t ditch your denim completely. They will forever be wardrobe essentials. But, in the heat of summer, cotton is just an easier and more comfortable material to wear. Also, you have more choice in pattern and design. Win win? I think so.
Espadrilles
There will be days that flip flops aren’t secure enough but you refuse to wear your beloved Converses when the sun is out. Make way for flat espadrilles. They’re cool (figuratively and literally), casual and so, so comfy. The stripey/fruity/spotty patterns are also incredibly cute. Relatively inexpensive too. You need some!
Denim cover up
Jacket/shirt/waistcoat. I have one of each and they each come in handy every day of summer. You never know when a small breeze is gonna stay longer than intended (or wanted) and goosebumps in the sun is the worst thing every. Pop on a denim cover up and look stylish and sensible. If you’re shying away from the jacket as it’s too heavy, opt for a shirt; it looks pretty much the same and you can roll up the sleeves and tie it to become a crop.
Sunglasses
Saving the ultimate essential ’till last. Now you’ll be split into two groups. The group that care for their possessions and are sensible and responsible: you guys should invest in a good brand whose quality will last you for many summers (Ray Bans are my fave). Unfortunately, I fall into the other category: the group who lose or break or forget their sunglasses, each and every time they buy a new pair. Not proud of it. But it happens. We need to keep on the style stakes whenever we buy a new pair. The advantage is we get to try different styles and designs and can change as fashion does.
Enjoy your summer x
mymode101 