29th of October, 2021
The days are getting longer and the mercury is on the rise and this can only mean one thing: it’s time to embrace summer outfitting again.
A season defined as much by its events as by its weather, the balmy summer weather entices us to leave the house more and explore. There’s also the temptation to indulge in a few parties or hop on a plane for a glamorous getaway, because why not? It’s summertime, there’s nothing more moodboosting than a bit of sunshine and living’s easy.
But in a season defined by heat and sun, how do you keep your cool, both sartorially and literally? Ahead, we’ve gathered some of the best summer outfits for work, play and everything in between. Whether you’re one for casual separates put-together and worn with a touch of insouciance, or you prefer breezy one-pieces you can simply slip on and head out the door in, read on to discover our stylish summer outfit ideas:
01. Summer Wardrobe Essentials
Make the most of summer’s exuberant mood by breezing through the season with outfits that are elegant yet uncomplicated at the same time.
First step: build your foundation. By creating a summer capsule wardrobe of effortless essentials and using these pieces as the basis of your wardrobe for the season, you’ll have a selection of go-tos to turn to no matter the occasion – ensuring you’ll look reliably chic no matter how hot the sun gets.
When it comes to building your warm weather essential wardrobe, summer dresses — preferably with a touch of romance — are a must, of course. And while most people tend to head for floaty, non-clingy pieces in paler neutrals such as white, cream or beige, don’t be afraid to take a turn for the dark side and dress in deep navy. As long the fabric is breathable i.e. 100% cotton. A puff sleeve midi shirt dress is undeniably one of the smartest and fashionable silhouettes of the season – a design that will segue from relaxed offices to afternoon drinks with ease and some quick accessory updates i.e., a pair of vivid pink strappy stilettos.
Round out the rest of your summer essentials wardrobe with tops, skirts and pants in breathable fabrics like lightly woven cotton or linen. Textiles crafted from natural fibres will allow you to stay cooler for longer with thermoregulating properties, hence they should always be at the top of your mind when searching for core summer pieces. Finish up your essentials list with a lightweight cardigan or shacket (because you never know when a balmy night will turn chilly) a glamorous pair of leather minimalist sandals and your favourite accessories, and voilà: you’ve got a wardrobe that’s perfect for the bar, the beach or business this season.
02. Cute summer outfits
Your instant ticket to a photogenic summer outfit? Prints and colour.
Summer is a joyful time to live life to the max, so don’t be afraid to dress accordingly — now is your chance to embrace painterly prints and dramatic colours during a season known for brightness and optimism. This year’s trends favour vivacious shades of pink, cerise and blue either alone, or mixed in abstract prints, evoking Impressionist-style strokes rendered in modernist bursts of colour. For print fans opting for something a bit more classic, motifs such as florals and leopard are perennial favourites and forever failproof.
Of course, if such artistic enthusiasm isn’t your forté, consider deploying touches of print or colour as accents to enliven your favourite netural look. For example, try a printed blouse paired with your favourite pair of light or midwash jeans, complementing your outfit of the day with a brightly hued jacket, or mixing things up with a textured clutch. To truly make an impact while still keeping things pared-back, consider wearing one brightly-coloured piece that’ll be sure to make you stand out. One thing’s for sure: cute doesn’t have to be complicated.
03. Casual summer outfits
Summer may be about “less is more,” but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flair. When it comes to nailing casual summer outfits, it’s all about mixing up silhouettes and introducing new proportions that add visual interest even while you keep the low-key and relaxed vibe of the season. Small touches here and there will elevate your fashion game without forcing you to sacrifice comfort.
Easily elevate a casual look by switching out a t-shirt for a blouse with feminine details that nod to this season’s dreamy aesthetic – billowing puff sleeves or the inclusion of lace. Instead of cut-off shorts, why not swap them for a slightly dressier pair, but in a silhouette that accentuates the waist? As per usual, easy going, breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen should be the aim here.
If you’re not one to get too fancy with fashion, a simple trick to dress things up is to play with your accessories: think about a cute wide brim raffia hat, playfully bold gold or silver jewellery or a statement pair of sunnies – cat-eye or large circle lenses. And don’t forget about footwear: for a quick way to inject a bit of panache to your ensemble, traditional espadrilles or leather sandals are always dependable and comfortable options.
04. Summer work outfits
Dressing for the office in the summer can be a difficult game for some, especially when it’s sweltering and the last thing anything wants to do is dress in stiff, structured layers.
Fear not: there are plenty of summer work outfits that will keep you fresh, elegant and professional all at the same time, and that can even be adapted for both the heat outside and the air-conditioned environment inside.
Your first thought to bear in mind when dressing for the workplace is that your aim is to strike a balance between relaxed and office worthy. Look for pieces in elevated and smooth fabrics such as silk or viscose that drape elegantly but are still breathable and soft next to the skin. Most people opt for summer dresses in the office, but dress shorts are also a good bet —ensure they’re tailored and err on the formal side, then they’ll work well with a simple tee or button-up shirt. And of course, a good jacket for the office when the air conditioning’s turned too high (or low) is a no-brainer; consider a blazer in linen or viscose to throw on over your shoulders.
When it comes to footwear, thongs or rubber sandals may be a little too laid-back for the boardroom, but there’s no need to wear heels either. Summer’s more carefree ethos extends to footwear too, and a pair of leather sandals or flat, to wedge espadrilles should do the trick, injecting a touch of summer Mediterranean to your work outfit.
05. Summer smart casual
women’s outfits
The trick to smart casual lies in the name: here, it’s all about bringing together both dressy and casual elements into your outfit. A true game of mix-and-match, the good thing about this dress code is that it gives you plenty of flexibility in how you want to dress.
Dressing smart casual in summer is, first and foremost, a balancing act: start by choosing a more formal, polished piece that you would usually associate with a more formal setting, like a going-out top, a blazer or tailored pants. Then, bring the look back down to earth with a more informal item, like a pair of strappy sandals or tailored dress shorts.
Once you’ve got the key elements of your look down pat, apply this same balancing equation to the rest of your outfit, tempering fancier items with your favourite basics. Want to keep your look simple? Dress it up with jewellery and standout accessories – layered gold chain necklaces, modern pearl earrings or a trending baguette bag clutched or carried under the armpit. Want to wear your favourite pair of dazzling heels? You can take them out for a well-deserved spin here, match them with some nonchalant pieces i.e. louche suit pants or tailored shorts. And of course, because it’s summer, don’t be afraid to experiment with pops of colour.
06. Camisole outfits summer
For the ultimate must-have to survive the heat in style, look no further than the summer camisole.
It’s the ‘90s staple that’s been evolved with new cuts and fabrics to be brought bang up-to-date. The tank top’s more stylish sister takes its inspiration from the lingerie world, bringing delicate, romantic pieces to the world of contemporary summer dressing, yet at the same time maintaining a sense of ease and effortlessness. And, as a pro-tip, they’re the perfect travel piece thanks to their style-to-portability ratio. What’s not to love?
Though the typical camisole comes in satin and lace trimming, this season’s versions come inspired by the sensuous textures of knitwear. No longer just a winter fabric, fine gauge knitwear has woven its way into summer staples – fashion tops, shorts to midi skirts. Regardless of whether you favour the classic satin camisole or an on-trend knit style, both can be tucked into slinky maxi or midi skirts for instant glam. Consider wearing this top with a pair of wide-legged pants for a contemporary, androgynous look and complete the ensemble with a standout pair of earrings.
Shoulder-baring, subtly sexy and refreshing to wear, there’s no doubt the summer camisole should be added to the top of your must-have list this summer.
07. Summer party outfits
Dust off your dancing shoes: summertime is your chance to celebrate, whether that’s with summer soirées or cocktails with the girls.
But what should you wear, in a season that’s both defined by its relaxed nature and dubiously high temperatures? Unlike winter, when the festive focus lies on rich, sumptuous fabrics and scintillating textures, summer is all about light, airy pieces that allow you to project confidence no matter how strong the sun is.
Low-key outfits that make maximum sartorial impact while being fuss-free will answer this call. Consider wearing a breezy one-piece, whether that’s a voluminous dress or an elegantly draped jumpsuit for an outfit that can be dressed up with minimum effort. For extra intrigue, look for on-trend puff sleeve pieces – an option to cover your shoulders while still keeping your cool, or, if you prefer to bare your shoulders, there are plenty of options with creative strap and knot details. If you’re the kind who prefers to wear separates, a matching two-piece set offers the best of both worlds. Of course, because it’s party time, don’t shy away from head turning bright colours, prints or textures. Complete your look with a pair of heels, a clutch and a slick or two of lipstick and you’ll be ready to dance the night away.
08. Summer dress outfits
What could be more quintessentially summer than the summer dress?
Inherently elegant and teeming with timeless femininity, dresses make you feel comfortable, confident and free. Without the need to coordinate separates, they’re the all-in-one solution to the eternal question of what to wear in summer: effortless frocks that keep you cool and looking put-together at the same time.
Make the most of this bona fide sartorial gift to humanity by adding a selection of summer dress outfits to your summer essentials to rotate through — your wardrobe will thank you. And with so many options to choose from, there’s sure to be one for you, whether you prefer voluminous trapeze dresses that give you freedom to move, on-trend minimalist dresses with unexpected cut-outs, or ever-fashionable dramatic maxis that you can wear season after season. Regardless of which style suits you, when styling your summer dress outfits, the general rule is to keep your accoutrements stylish but stripped-back: a pair of strappy sandals and a delicate pair of hoop earrings or chain necklace will suffice. Here, it’s all about letting the dress do the talking.
09. Summer travel outfit ideas
The best two words you’ll ever read: Booking Confirmation. So, you’ve got your tickets and your accommodation is booked, it’s now time to consider what to pack in your suitcase.
Before you start filling up your baggage allowance though, you should consider what kind of travel you’ll be doing: is it a lounging-by-the-pool vacation? Will you be ticking off key sightseeing sites on a daily basis? Or will you be road tripping and living the van life? Your answer will have an impact on whether you fill your suitcase up with flats for walking or high heels for beach club partying. One thing is certain, though, no matter what type of travel you’ve got in mind, you’ll want to pack clothes and footwear that you’ll be comfortable in. Even if you’re keeping the activities low-key, the last thing you’ll want is to feel uncomfortable — especially when you’re meant to be relaxing.
Thankfully, focusing on function doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice fashion. To maximise the number of outfits you get out of your suitcase, consider packing pieces that all go together in one colour palette, for example neutrals, or pastels i.e. a monochrome dress in shades of black or white will work for almost any occasion. Sticking to one colour palette means you don’t have to worry if things look good together, and you’ll have plenty of outfit combinations so you can focus on enjoying yourself on the go.
Secondly, don’t hold back on choosing your favourite natural, breathable or thermoregulating fabrics – linen, cotton, viscose to fine gauge knits that will bear the high temperatures. Wearing crinkled clothes head-to-toe is a bit of a fashion faux pas, so we have a couple suggestions: pack a small hand-held steamer to smooth out clothes on the go, hang up your clothes in the bathroom after a hot shower or get the hotel room iron out once you’ve fully unpacked.
10. Easy summer outfits
Easy breezy is how we like our summer, so small wonder we’re a fan of laid-back summer outfits that are simple to put together and wear.
Even better if they’re versatile: in our ideal world, we’d be able to go from breakfast to the beach and maybe even to the bar in the same outfit. But just because we’re fans of the uncomplicated, doesn’t mean our wardrobe has to be lacklustre on the sartorial stakes.
When it comes to mastering easy summer outfits, it’s all about the silhouette: what makes you feel comfortable and confident? This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to opt for loose pieces—tight clothing in stretchy fabrics can be equally as easy to wear—though for most people, the breezier a piece of clothing is, the better. But silhouette isn’t the only factor in the equation, once you’ve decided on that, it’s important to consider fabrication. What’s easier than a classic mini denim skirt? It’s survived decades as a fashion summer essential and this season’s iteration comes in crisp, wearable cream. There’s also nothing easier than styling an outfit that is completely neutral – and neutral is not synonymous with dull, i.e. versatile and sophisticated navy. We love the look of elevating a denim skirt with the presence of detailed feminine lace. Take a navy puff sleeve blouse out of its expected dressier occasion and pair with denim and woven espadrilles for daytime sophistication.
11. Black denim skirt outfit summer
All hail the denim skirt, the queen of versatility when it comes to summer dressing. This next outfit – as you probably guessed – centres around the all-round staple that goes with everything.
Just like a good pair of jeans, the archetypal denim design scores maximum points when it comes to versatility. When rendered in black (wet look in this instance), it can instantly lend an edge to any outfit. For the most effortlessly cool look, choose everything in black – leather strappy sandals, shoulder padded muscle tee to mini ‘90s-style shoulder bag. Still on the fence about whether you should add it to your summer wardrobe repertoire? Just ask Rihanna, Katie Holmes and Beyoncé, who’ve all been snapped sporting this skirt on the streets this year. Judging from their outfit choices, it’s clear that the denim skirt is the key item you need in your wardrobe now.
Consider the range this piece of clothing has: a balanced blend between the feminine and the utilitarian, it can be dressed up or down, though it particularly lends itself to being paired with dressier, more feminine pieces. Worn with a tee or tank top, it’s part of a nonchalant ensemble that’s perfect for running errands in. For dressier occasions, like a date at a beachside bar, pair it with a billowing button-up blouse in an elegant fabric like silk or lace. As a tip, wear it high-waisted with either a cropped top or with your shirt tucked in to make your bottom half look longer. Finish your look with a chic pair of sandals and you’ll be the epitome of style in summer.