Thursday 17 March 2011

Summer in the City


It's that time of year when I feel it's appropriate to start planning my summer wardrobe. So here's a quick summary (no pun intended) of the looks I'll be incorporating:


The Inspiration
Colours



nudes, pale pinks, coral, apricot, grey, rust, mint, teal and creams

Don't forget to check out my favourite nail colours for the season here!




Prints



chinoiserie, watercolour florals, butterflies, fortuny prints
Image credits: 1 2 3 4


Fabrics



lace, silk, chiffon and pleats
Image Credits: 1 2 3 4


The Pieces

I feel like this Summer is going to be characterised by slouchy blouses and t-shirts in lightweight fabrics like silks, chiffons and viscose paired with a relaxed, soft blazer in an equally cool fabric.

Many of these pieces are from New Look, which is not somewhere I shop often but I was impressed with their stock recently and with the quality of their fabrics. Considering my budget at the moment, I was impressed with some of their prices too. In fact, I just bought the blazer on the bottom left-hand side and I'm having something of a love affair with it.



Blonde (Cream) Tie Peter Pan Blouse | 215478014 | New Look   Blonde (Cream) Birdy Tie Front Blouse | 218307414 | New Look   Cedar (Brown) Shimmer Drop Hem Blouse | 217179221 | New Look


Dirty Pink (Pink) Lux Draped Jacket | 207683772 | New Look       Shawl Collar Tux Blazer       Ballerina (Pink) Boxy Blazer | 218433873 | New Look
Image credits: newlook.com, topshop.com (bottom centre)

Tie Peter Pan Blouse, £15.99, New Look
Birdy Tie Front Blouse, £22.99, New Look
Shimmer Drop Hem Blouse, £24.99 £15, New Look
Twill Relaxed Blazer, £24.99, New Look
Shawl Collar Tux Blazer, £65, Topshop
Boxy Blazer, £29.99, New Look


As usual, I'm keeping it girlie with my prints, fabrics and styles but for me, this summer is going to be much more about the short than the skirt or the dress. I always head straight to Topshop for shorts, especially if they've got a flattering paperbag waist (we all know how much I love those) or a masculine silhouette, both of which are perfect to tuck those slouchy, luxurious blouses into.

Premium Rust Mens Waistband Shorts   Rose Matelot Shorts   Multicoloured Flower Print Paperbag Waistband Shorts
Image credits: topshop.com


Premium Rust Men's Waistband Shorts, £38, Topshop
Rose Matelot Shorts, £35, Topshop
Multicoloured Flower Print Paperbag Waistband Shorts, £36, Topshop



In terms of sandals, I love the gladiator look but I find many styles go too far up the ankles and cut off my already short legs too much, so these braided thong styles are perfect. And I actually own both of these! I reckon you need sandals in a couple of basic colours (black and tan or nude) and you're good to go.

As for shoes, obviously they need to be comfy and cool. Brogues, much as I will always love them, I feel have no place in temperatures above about 20 Celsius, so I'd stick with ballet flats in summer. These Topshop flats on the right are a perfect compromise, a ballet flat with a brogue appearance. I think I'll be sticking to the classic ballet flats most of the time though, a bargain for how much wear you'll get out of them as they go with everything.

Image credits: newlook.com, office.com, topshop.com

Plaited twisted sandal, £7.99, New Look
Office Nexus Thong, £25 £10, Office
Vibrant Ballet Pumps, £16.00, Topshop
Melrose Chiffon Lace Pumps, £25, Topshop

In the summertime when the weather is high, don't forget to protect your eyes and face with a hat. In my opinion, there is no hat more glamorous or more summery than a good-old fashioned floppy teamed with your favourite oversized designer sunglasses. I'll be wearing a black one I inherited from my lovely mother with my Miu Miu shades. Alternatively, a boater is a great nod to the masculine trend whilst being laid-back and sexy, just as relevant with tailoring as it is with floaty florals and perfect for sticking on top of your beach-bum hair.

      Traditional Boater
Image credits: americanapparel.co.uk, topshop.com

Wool Floppy Hat, £39, American Apparel
Traditional Boater, £20, Topshop

And finally, of course, you'll need the perfect vintage-inspired swimwear for whatever holiday you go on.

What will you be wearing this Summer? And where do you go to update your wardrobe on a budget?

Ciao for now,
Charlotte

3 comments:

  1. I just died and went to wardrobe heaven! AMAZING! Such good taste you have :-)

    xxx
    Mon

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't get enough of neutral sandals and flats and delicious summer hats. So Lovely.

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
    B.

    That Girl in Pearls

    ReplyDelete
  3. thank you lovely ladies! :)

    ReplyDelete