Stay cool this summer
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
summer-buys-opener
Summer is here but remember you\'ll don\'t have to bare all to be cool. We\'ve picked our 20 favourite fashion buys for summer; follow our guidelines for grown-up summer dressing with up-to-the-minute style.
By Alyson Walsh
The printed skirt
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Woman wearing a skirt and top from Laura Ashley
This may look like a pretty printed skirt and charming jersey cardigan but actually, it\'s a pair of multi-tasking separates that\'ll enhance any summer wardrobe.
Delaunay skirt, £50 and cardigan, £50,
both 8-16,
Laura Ashley
www.lauraashley.com
The cropped trousers
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Woman wearing top and cropped trousers from Boden
Oh how we love a pair of super-cool linen pants come summer - and Boden\'s aptly named ‘smart linen crops\' are neat enough for both work and play.
Chic beaded top, £49 and smart linen crops, £49,both 8-20,
Boden
www.boden.co.uk
The timeless shirtdress
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Woman wearing a brown shirtdress from Pinciples
It\'s cotton, it\'s cool and it\'s a summer classic. The timeless shirtdress is woman\'s best friend.
Cotton sateen shirtdress, £59, 8-18,
Principles
www.principles.co.uk
The wide leg trouser
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Woman wearing wide leg trousers from Marks and Spencer
Four words: Katharine Hepburn, style icon.
Stripy bow shirt, £29.50 and wide leg trousers, £35, both 8-18,
Marks & Spencer
www.marksandspencer.com
The embroidered tunic
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Woman wearing a tunic from Laura Ashley
We\'re pleased to announce that the tunic top is still on-trend (that\'s fashion speak for in the shops) this summer.
Embroidered tunic, £45 and cropped trousers, £45, both 8-16,
Laura Ashley
www.lauraashley.com
Something blue
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Woman wearing a navy tunic from Toast
Legendary fashion designer, Jean Muir was partial to a spot of navy blue - and who can blame her? The classic hue always looks chic, sleek and is totally flattering, whether you have a tan or not.
Amelia tunic, £65, 8-18,
Toast
www.toast.co.uk
The denim skirt
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Model wearing a denim skirt from Dorothy Perkins
Not just for WAGs and tweenage girls, the denim skirt is a worthy addition to any wardrobe and has year-round appeal. Remember, knee length is best.
Frill blouse, £25 and denim skirt, £30, both 6-22,
Dorothy Perkins
www.dorothyperkins.com
A slouchy shirt
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Model wearing a slouchy shirt and capri pants from River Island
Whilst the androgynous look can sometimes be a bit tricky to pull-off, we guarantee this oversized cotton shirt will look super-sexy.
Shirt, £24.99 and cropped trousers, £34.99, both 6-18,
River Island
www.riverisland.com
A grown-up sundress
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Woman wearing an embroidered shirtdress from Toast
For a more relaxed occasion, give this beautiful embroidered shirtdress a whirl.
Aegean silk shirtdress, £175, 8-18,
Toast
www.toast.co.uk
A colourful kaftan
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Model wearing a colourful kaftan from Jaeger
It may be number one on the holiday packing list, but this multitalented kaftan works over black slim pants for a smart daytime outfit too. Versatile or what?
Ikat kaftan, £175, 8-16,
Jaeger
www.jaeger.co.uk
Our favourite shop - Cos
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Model on the catwalk wearing clothes from Cos
Have we told you about our favourite new shop? H&M\'s big sister Cos is a veritable temple of pared-down, grown-up fashion. You have been warned!
Cotton top, £29 and belt £6,
Cos
(020 7478 0400)
The classic safari jacket
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Model wearing a safari jacket from Marks and Spencer
What better way to embrace the seventies revival, than the classic safari jacket. Great over a chiffon blouse and wide leg pants, then simply throw on some hot new accessories and step away the blue eye shadow, please.
Linen safari jacket, £49.50, linen trousers, £39.50 both 8-20, and waist belt, £29.50
all Per Una at
Marks & Spencer
www.marksandspencer.com
A scarf neck top
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Model wearing a silk scarf top from Jaeger
A little seventies, a little smart and a whole lotta style.
Spot silk scarf top, £125, 8-16,
Jaeger
www.jaeger.co.uk
The long-sleeved t-shirt
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Model wearing a long-sleeved tshirt from Boden
Sometimes the simple things in life are the best. Dress up a long-sleeved t-shirt with a gorgeous oversized necklace and ta-da, a fabulously chic summer outfit.
Double layer crew neck, £29 and wide-leg cotton turn-ups, £55, both 8-20,
Boden
www.boden.co.uk
The chiffon dress
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Model wearing a polka dot dress from Phase Eight
For a ‘Sex and the City\' moment, or a summer wedding, we present the elegant chiffon dress. Our friends from New York would agree that sheer fabrics are an ideal way to cover-up and stay cool in summer, just be sure to invest in some flesh-coloured undies!
Polka print dress, £120, 8-18,
Phase Eight
www.phase-eight.co.uk
The ruffle blouse
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Model wearing a ruffle blouse from Principles
There comes a time when we have to say farewell to the skimpy vest top and embrace the grown-up ladies blouse. This doesn\'t mean we have to start dressing like Anne Widdicombe, a floaty sleeve can cleverly hide the top of a wobbly arm, and look stylish too.
Smudge print ruffle blouse, £45, 8-18,
Principles
www.principles.co.uk
The nautical look
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Woman on a boat wearing nautical clothes from Principles
This year we are championing ‘Some Like it Hot\' style for summer. Nautical chic is a much-loved holiday look, that never goes out of fashion, and, if it works for Tony Curtis...
Tunic top, £49 and wide leg trouser, £65, both 8-18,
Principles
www.principles.co.uk
The maxi dress
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Woman wearing a yellow maxi dress from Marks and Spencer
If, like Madonna, you have perfectly toned arms - but, like the rest of us, you\'d rather not be seen dead in a leotard - we recommend this beautiful maxi dress.
Maxi dress, £89, by Autograph
at Marks & Spencer
www.marksandspencer.com
A jaunty blazer
summer,best buys,fashion,high street fashion
Woman wearing a pinstripe blazer from Wallis
If the safari jacket is a bit too ‘Roger Moore\' for your liking, then the pinstriped blazer makes the perfect summer cover-up.
Pinstripe blazer, £65 and wide leg trousers, £40 both 8-18,
Wallis
www.wallis-fashion.com
Kitchen trends: so long silver, hello white!
Rhubarb muffin recipe coming right up!
