At the same time as iced coffee season returns in the city, so too is it time to pull out a few wardrobe essentials to help you withstand the heat in style.
What should I wear for a day out in the city this summer?
From pounding the pavements in cool and comfortable sandals, to having a jacket that is just the right weight to hand when the weather inevitably turns, a few very specific outfit formulas are needed to nail summer dressing in cities around the UK.
Consider this your capsule wardrobe of seven staple pieces, ready to be mixed and matched together…
1. The chunky sandal
Forget flimsy flip flops – you’re best to save those for your beach holiday. In the city, you’ll need a sturdy sandal style that can hold up on long walks without breaking, giving you blisters, or cutting into your feet when they swell in the heat. The most-wanted flat shoe this summer is the Birkenstock Boston clog (how refreshing to wear something that literally feels like a slipper?). The two other chunky-sole styles worth investing in are the strappy trekker and the lug-sole fisherman’s sandals – both hardy fashion perennials.
Whichever shape you buy, all three offer hefty footbed soles for maximum comfort and will offset a pretty dress or look good with jeans.
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2. The off-white jeans
Not keen on blinding white denim for summer? If you’re the person who is scared you’ll spill your morning latte on your jeans, why not try a cream or ecru pair? Gap, Mango and River Island also have pairs that you will bring out again and again. Pick a boyfriend, mom or girlfriend cut to avoid the pitfalls of wearing tight white denim that you can see through.
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3. The light trench
The chances are, it will rain in your chosen UK city. In this scenario, the trench coat comes into its own. Worn open, easy and billowing, the trench becomes a mac-style topper for any summer outfit, rather than reading as more formal when it’s all done up in the colder months.
There are so many good variations on the high street to choose from – classic beige, khaki and navy trenches, yes, but also styles spliced with prints, colour panels and textile patches. Think bold – this outerwear essential is an outfit maker or breaker.
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4. The striped tee
The easiest staple to add to any city-ready wardrobe? A striped t-shirt will take you from coffee with a friend, to the shops, to dinner, without ever looking out of place. Breton tops typically are found in black and white, or navy stripes, but there are tons of new colour combinations to embrace for spring 2022. I love a colour clash for something a little different.
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5. The sleek summer dress
Some dresses are designed to run through a field of flowers in. Others are made to feel sharp and cool in hot city environments. Your colour-block cotton dress needs to be far less fussy than the type of day dress you might wear at a garden party on the weekend, or at the beach. A navy midi dress is simple and chic and could be one of the hardest working pieces in your summer wardrobe.
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6. The statement sunnies
A cheap and effective way to instantly make any city outfit summer ready is to add a pair of Perspex sunglasses. From just £12.99, Bershka has a huge array of silhouettes on offer this year, in quirky pastel colour combinations as well as classic tints. French brand Le Specs also has ‘90s-inspired thick frames, with a virtual service to try online before you buy. The beauty of a Perspex pair, over any other material, is that they look interesting and eclectic, rather than typical.
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7. The light crossbody
The final piece in your city-ready summer wardrobe has to be a camera bag. This crossbody style is the perfect size for days out at museums, browsing food markets, or just laying on a picnic blanket in the park. Loaded with pockets and a generous crossbody strap, this shape is also totally practical to hold your travel tickets, phone, sunglasses and more.
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