In The Heat of It: Summer Outfit Ideas

Three heatwaves in and the group chat has stopped asking if we’re sitting outside. The only question left is: what are we wearing?

The answer involves linen blends on the commute, dresses that can handle a full diary and shorts that have earned a permanent place at the top of the pile. Consider this your guide to getting dressed when the forecast is doing the most.

The Dress Forecast

Clear skies with a very high chance of wearing a dress.

For office days that turn into evening plans, a midi dress is always a good idea. Florals belong anywhere the sun is shining, stripes make a convincing case for booking the next train to the coast and block colours give your accessories room to have some fun.

One piece, one decision and absolutely no need to rethink it later.

Linen Blends, Naturally

There’s a reason linen blends return every summer. Their breathable fibres allow heat to escape, helping you stay cool when the commute feels tropical and comfortable once the office air conditioning has other ideas.

A linen-blend dress makes light work of hot mornings. Shorts pair nicely with a racer vest, swimwear or a shirt with the sleeves rolled up. And when jeans are officially out of the question, wide-leg trousers step in.

Build your palette around cream, chocolate, soft blue and olive. Everything works together, including the pieces you picked up five minutes before leaving.

Plans: Casual. Outfit: Considered.

An afternoon in the park. A walk that accidentally becomes lunch. A quick coffee that takes up the rest of the day. The best casual summer outfits are ready for plans to change.

Start with denim shorts and a racer vest, a cotton dress and trainers, or a playsuit with sunglasses tucked into the neckline. Then add the details that make it feel like yours: a bandana tied in your hair, gold-toned hoops, a textured bag or a shirt worn open over a vest.

Try stripes with denim or soften a printed skirt with a simple cami. If the combination makes you look twice in the mirror, it’s probably working.

A Very Good Match

The co-ord has already done the outfit planning for you.

Wear the full set when you want maximum impact for minimum effort, then separate the pieces whenever your wardrobe needs more options. A linen-blend co-ord belongs on the hottest days of the year, while a printed set is made for long lunches that quietly become evening plans.

In One

Not every summer day calls for a dress. That’s where the jumpsuit comes in. A wide-leg silhouette has the flowing feel of a maxi dress with the practicality of trousers, while soft cotton and linen blends keep things comfortable when the temperature rises.

Add flat sandals and sunglasses while the sun is up, then switch to a smaller bag after sunset. Outfit change handled without actually changing.

The Suitcase Edit

Packing light sounds ideal until every dress suddenly feels essential. The way around it? Choose pieces that are already on speaking terms.

The holiday shop

Start with a sundress, linen-blend shorts, a matching set, a cami top, a soft shirt and swimwear. Wear the shirt open over your swimsuit one day and buttoned with shorts the next. Style the co-ord together, then split it up to create two more looks. A limited colour palette will make even last-minute combinations look intentional.

The Suitcase Edit

Packing light sounds ideal until every dress suddenly feels essential. The way around it? Choose pieces that are already on speaking terms.

The holiday shop

For shoes, take the pairs with proven mileage: flat sandals, trainers for exploring and something a little more dressed up for after sunset.
The aim is to close the suitcase without sitting on it. Everything else is a bonus.

Your Summer Outfit Questions, Answered

Start with denim shorts and a racer vest, then add a soft shirt worn open, simple jewellery and sunglasses. It’s an easy summer outfit that works for unconfirmed plans and unexpectedly hot afternoons.

Focus on one or two finishing touches. Try a textured bag, gold-tone jewellery, a bandana or a lightweight shirt.

Pack a midi dress, linen-blend shorts, a co-ord, a cami, a shirt and swimwear. Choose colours that work together and comfortable shoes you’ve already worn in. A holiday is not the time to discover that your new sandals aren’t as comfortable as you thought.

Would you like to be notified when this item becomes available?

Enter your email address below and we'll let you know.

Thank you, we’ll be in touch soon!

Select size

Choose Size

Reviews

Fit:

Runs Small

True to size

Runs Large

Length:

Runs Short

True to size

Runs Long