Don’t overthink it. That’s the key to summer style. The best looks are the ones you reach for when you aren’t thinking about clothes, but about the sunny weather, the long evenings, the good times.
You’ll already have your summer anchors, the pieces you come back to every year. The sundress that always works. Denim shorts that only get better with age. A breezy linen shirt you can wear open over swimwear or tucked into just about anything. These are your personal treasures, the pieces that never let you down. But it wouldn’t be summer without a bit of personality thrown in. Suddenly there’s room for pieces that might have felt a bit “extra” a few months ago. Stripes, florals, a pop of red – they all work when the sun’s out.
Style-wise, there’s plenty of inspiration to borrow from. The enduring appeal of Jane Birkin – her basket bag and undone simplicity – still holds up, while the clean, pared-back looks of Kate Moss in the 90s – think slip dresses and barely there sandals – are as relevant as ever. They prove that great summer style doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective.
And the best bit? You don’t need a designer budget to get it right. The high street is full of affordable pieces that tap into these timeless looks, making it easy to refresh your wardrobe without going overboard.
Women’s wardrobe updates for summer
Walk this way
Holiday sandals need to be comfy enough for a hot walk but nice enough to wear with your going-out-for-dinner dress. Clarks shoes are always comfy, and the crossover straps lend a little elegance. In dark brown or black leather.
Clarks Ravina sandals
Canvas cool
A classy little number at an excellent price point, with adjustable straps and an inside pocket. Also available in various shades of vegan leather, but particularly chic in canvas.
JW Pei joy shoulder bag
Light fantastic
I never check in luggage, so shoes need to take up minimal space: these are barely there on top, so they squish to almost nothing, but have a sturdy block heel.
Charles & Keith Arden slingback sandals
Cherry on top
Socks aren’t just for winter. These are adorable.
Oliver Bonas ankle socks
Pearly queen
London brand A Sinner In Pearls brings a fresh spin on the classic signet ring, with a chunky square freshwater pearl.
A Sinner In Pearls signet ring
For more, read our guide to the best affordable jewellery brands
Sweet dreams
PJs so swanky you may not need to get dressed.
Chelsea Peers cheesecloth pyjamas
Circle back
An elegant, slightly angular hoop that works with every look.
Victoria Beckham hoop earrings
Bronze ambition
This is a foolproof contouring stick. If you want full-on Kardashian face paint, it won’t be pigmented enough for you, but if you want idiot-proof sculpting, it’s perfect.
Merit Beauty sheer bronzer
Waist not
Do not underestimate the power of a good belt to upgrade your outfit.
Jigsaw leather belt
Rain check
Great for festivals or just the good old British summer.
Barbour short wellies
Riviera revival
Capri pants are the Saint-Tropez bombshell throwback your summer wardrobe needs. Great with a jean jacket.
Nobody’s Child denim capris
Mesh well
A gem from John Lewis’s excellent ongoing collaboration with London fashion fave, Rejina Pyo.
John Lewis x Rejina Pyo mesh sandals
Dress the part
A dress like this is more versatile than it looks. Come autumn, wear it with ankle boots and throw a chunky sweater over the top.
Omnes Casey dress
Smells like summer
I am, for the most part, ruthlessly utilitarian about travel toiletries, decanting into mini bottles to get everything in a carry-on, but I make an exception for a travel-size fragrance that looks as good as it smells and is a joy to behold.
Victoria Beckham travel fragrance
For more, read our guide to the best travel beauty essentials
Stirring stuff
Mismatched studs for the win. No sugar, thanks, I’m sweet enough already.
Oliver Bonas teacup and spoon earrings
Hair we go
Mona Ghafoori founded her small London-based brand Tort because: “Life’s too short to have boring hair.” You can filter the eco-resin claws and clips by suitability for hair type – from afro to braids to fine.
Tort Joan clip
Easy breezy
Massimo Dutti is the more grown-up, timeless sister brand from the Zara empire, and a great place to find affordable tailoring. These look smart – pleats and a button at the front – but have an elasticated waist at the back for comfort.
Massimo Dutti linen trousers
Come rain or shine
Perfect for festivals, or just the British seaside. A cinchable hood, drawstring waist, balloon sleeves and a very cute colour.
Levi’s Simone parka
Lip service
I’m much too lazy to be high maintenance – and anyway not a fan of the lip filler aesthetic – but I do love how this looks a bit hi-tech and adds volume, gloss and colour at once.
Dr Dennis Gross DermInfusions lip tint
Fresh pick
Now that’s what I call flower power.
Jigsaw flower applique top
Game, set, match
A tennis bracelet is a girl’s best friend, whether or not the diamonds are real.
Astrid & Miyu tennis bracelet
Dry run
Pleasingly White Lotus-coded, but also genuinely useful when you want something to pull on over your swimsuit that won’t show soggy patches.
Reiss crochet beach dress
Smooth operator
Wedding-guest worthy with sandals and a clutch bag.
Mango camisole dress
For more, read our guide to the best wedding guest dresses
Buttoned down
With Nothing Underneath is the shirt brand that shirt-devotees swear by. A blue stripe is breezy summer perfection.
With Nothing Underneath boyfriend shirt
Short and sweet
No-iron, super-light cheesecloth makes the perfect packable shorts. Delicious in sugar pink, or chic in chocolate brown.
Me+Em cheesecloth shorts
Glow forth
The original and still the best. Add a few drops to your moisturiser for sun kisses without sun damage.
Tan-Luxe self-tan drops
For more, read our guide to the best fake tan, tested
Double take
Swing-shaped and reversible, with a high neckline on one side and a scoop on the other, so you choose which way to wear – clever, huh? Also, 100% organic cotton.
Damson Madder Bridget mini dress
For more, read our guide to the best summer dresses for every occasion
Brief encounter
The comfiest, cutest knickers out there, now Brazilian-cut and in candy floss colours. Let your bottom live its best life this summer.
Stripe & Stare Brazilian knickers
For more, read our guide to the best women’s lingerie
Making waves
If most high-street swimwear feels too gingham and girly for you, head to Cos, where sleek minimalism reigns all year round. This bonded scuba suit is sleek but not too sensible, if you know what I mean.
Cos scuba swimsuit
Cool customers
I probably shouldn’t say this, but I think trendy sunglasses are a bit naff. Nothing ever looks cooler than the classic square, unisex style in black.
& Other Stories classic sunglasses
Like a charm
I love this brand for colourful, affordable jewellery that isn’t super precious. This evil-eye amulet feels like a personal treasure. Comes in lots of colours, so you can pick what suits.
L’Atelier evil-eye amulet necklace
Short story
The classic Adidas triple stripe, with Liberty floral detailing. This is a whole lot of coolness for your buck.
Adidas x Liberty London shorts
Stripe stuff
Ice-cream shades and a shorter silhouette bring the prep classic up to date.
H&M cropped rugby shirt
Like a painting
Not only is this dress giving joyful Henri Matisse vibes, it also has a shirred back and adjustable shoulder straps for comfort, and pockets. Perfection.
Albaray x Laetitia Rouget sundress
Sleeper hit
This looks like nothing on the hanger, but so good on that I got the chocolate brown first, then went back and bought the cream.
Mango draped T-shirt
Centre court
This classy summer co-ord is one to snap up. I’m thinking Wimbledon, wedding guest … all the good stuff. Style with big sunnies and a cute small basket for a 60s vibe.
M&S linen-blend contrast piping waistcoat and skirt
Match point
A tennis skirt is a summer classic. Serve an ace with this one.
H&M tennis skirt
Dye another day
From Zara Srpls – one of the limited-edition ranges – comes this excellent, haute-boho tie-dye cotton yarn shirt. Easy come, easy go, hard-wearing and with just the right amount of attitude.
Zara Srpls shirt
Pin up
Granny’s jewellery box is the best place to hunt for summer’s key accessory, the brooch, but this is cute too.
New Look faux pearl brooch
Wrap star
The perfect summer-in-the-office dress, a very chic oatmeal shade of deliciously cool linen.
Jaeger linen wrap dress
Throw it on
Dreamy as a shirt to wear with denim shorts, doubles as an evening cardigan over a black dress. Also available in sunshine yellow.
Mint Velvet crochet shirt
Orange crush
This classic 90s slip skirt also comes in chocolate with cream lace, or ivory with black – but burnt orange with pink is delicious.
New Look satin skirt
Tank you very much
The golden rule, remember, is don’t overthink it. Sometimes, all you need is a great top.
Boden crochet racer tank
Holiday hero
This is the sort of piece that looks like nothing but is your new best friend. Smarter than shorts, cooler than a dress, takes up hardly any luggage space. One of my best buys of the year.
M&S lace-trim mini slip
Colour me happy
Is it just me, or is cornflower blue and chocolate brown one of the great underrated colour combinations of all time?
Topshop satin dress with lace inserts
Peak appeal
Sézane is brilliant at clothes that are a little bit sexy in a not-obviously-trying sort of a way. A case in point: this excellent short-sleeve knit, with just a hint of skin glimpsed through the diamond pattern and between the sweet covered buttons.
Sézane Milane cotton knit
Puff piece
With layers of organza, pleated shoulders and softly puffed sleeves, this blouse is enjoyably romantic without being silly. Great paired with your favourite tailored trousers and a leather belt.
Cos wrap-over organza blouse
Cropped up
Have you heard the news? Capri pants are back. If you live in jeans the rest of the year, free the ankle with these chic short dark stretch denims.
Arket capri pants
Flat out fabulous
Fitflop’s Delicato style is as comfy as a trainer, but as light and elegant as a ballet pump. Super-soft leather and a slim but highly cushioned sole bring the science, while this new style – with a high-cut front, tonal stitching and bow-free sleekness – brings the chic.
Fitflop Delicato ballet pumps
Soda pop
Perfect over a bikini at the end of a beach day. Will look better the more washed-out and worn it gets.
Next Fanta Lemon sweatshirt
Beach basics
Beachwear doesn’t get much airtime, so classic styles are the best. The bandeau top has detachable straps and removable padding. In raspberry (yum) or vibrant orange.
M&S bandeau bikini top
High-waisted bottoms
Festival spirit
Yes, we know it’s a fallow year, but wear these with a beaten-up pair of trainers and a T-shirt and pretend you are in the sunshine at Glastonbury.
River Island floral jeans
For more, read Jess Cartner-Morley’s May style essentials