Our in-house fashion expert, Tilly Tasker has been contemplating what to wear over a rainy British summer when the sun has gone and the summery dresses just won’t cut it.
Let’s face it, we live in Britain where Summer comes, hangs around for about three or four days and then decides it can’t be bothered any more and goes off to other places. Summer clothes and trends are designed for the hot Californian coast and are better off on a tropical beach in Bali than a muddy British field somewhere in the country. It seems that no matter how carefully I plan my outfit, I always end up either too hot or too cold, or soaked, or all three at once!
It’s a bit of a dilemma really, summer fashion in the UK; rain is always just around the corner and you never know when a chilly breeze is going to pop up and take you by surprise. So, how do we do it? How do we tackle the unpredictable weather whilst still looking summery and feeling fabulous? I’ve scoured through the current trends in stores and picked out some summery numbers from my wardrobe and styled them so they’re fit for a rainy British summer.
Bright Colours (image shown at top)
For an instant splash of sunshine, wear nice bright colours. Once again, neons and brights are back for spring/summer 2014, so don’t be afraid to wear them loud and proud! And for this summer, bright, block-coloured clothes are more sophisticated than ever. Clean cut, A-Line skirts come in pop blues and the controversial jump suit has taken a tailored look.
Try mixing up your bright coloured items with contrasting and complimentary layers to keep warm- just remember that a big, chunky cardigan can never go amiss when the sun goes down! Heading out into town? Toughen up your pop-colours with a leather biker and a splash of print.
Sunglasses
Nothing says ‘summer’ like whipping out your trendy shades, even when the temperatures are hovering around a mediocre 15 degrees. Always carry your sunglasses with you, so when the sun DOES peek out from behind the clouds you can pretend it’s your five minutes of lying on a beach, when really you’re simply in the beer garden at your local!
Sunglasses come in all sorts of wonderful shapes and sizes for this season, so if you fancy yourself a feminine pair of cat eye sunnies, a cool set of aviators or the classical Wayfarer, the high street is awash with endless choices for whatever budget! Personally, I’m a big fan of the ‘bug’ eyed sunglasses look that is very a la mode right now!
New Look Black and Gold Round Frame Sunglasses, £4.99
Superdry Warrior Sunglasses, £44.99
Topshop Metal Arm Cateye Sunglasses, £16.00
RayBan RB2132 Unisex Wayfarer Sunglasses, £115.00
Tropical Topic
Tropical prints are BIG this summer, haven’t you heard?! Palm tree prints, fruits and hibiscus flowers are no longer something that’s gracing your Dads/husbands/boyfriends Hawaiian shirt (tactfully hidden at the back of the wardrobe…) but are now strutting down the catwalks in the styles of bodycon dresses, floaty skirts and feminine tops. Grab yourself a floaty Maxi Dress with a tropical feeling to it and you’ll feel summery regardless of how many cardigans you have to layer on top of it! When the sun goes down there is no harm in throwing on a pair of jeans and they go wonderfully well with bright tropical prints!
That Floaty Feeling
In the winter, getting a cold gust of wind up your skirt is the thing of nightmares. Brrrr. But in the summer? Why, having that feeling of a lovely floating skirt around my legs and the cool breeze under my arms is blissful. Even if the sun isn’t shining and the skies are grey, wearing a floaty dress with an equally floaty kimono puts a little spring in my step.
Kimono’s are hot stuff for this season, but wearing a sheer shirt open is a bit of a quicker fix and can also achieve that floaty, breezy feeling. Wear your maxi skirts and dresses with a skinny waist belt so that you don’t get too lost within the billowing layers!
And if all else fails…
If dressing the part doesn’t make you feel like the summery beach babe that you are, then perhaps you need a little something extra. So what reminds us of summer? For me, it’s the one and only coconut scented body butter. Tropical aroma takes me right back to hot days spent on beaches and it adds essential moisture to hot skin. If all else fails, we can at least smell the part!
For those of you who enjoy a bargain, The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter is currently on sale! Grab it quick from The Body Shop which can be found in its new location on the High Street in Guildford town centre.
The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter, £13.00
Tilly Tasker