There is something rather lovely about relaxed summer dressing. Gone are the layers, the boots and the fuss of trying to work out whether one more jumper is really necessary. Instead, it is all about light fabrics, easy silhouettes and outfits that can be thrown together in minutes without a second thought. Building a relaxed summer wardrobe does not need to be complicated either, it is really just about choosing a few key pieces that work hard and pairing them well.
Start With Breathable Fabrics
Linen and lightweight cotton are the obvious summer heroes, and for good reason. They keep things feeling cool even on the warmest of days, and they have a lovely relaxed drape that instantly makes an outfit feel more laid back. A linen shirt dress or a pair of cotton trousers can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion, which makes them brilliant building blocks for a summer capsule.
Stick To A Simple Colour Palette
Keeping to a handful of colours that all work together makes getting dressed so much easier, especially when the weather is hot and patience is running thin. Soft neutrals, whites and a couple of favourite block colours tend to mix and match effortlessly, meaning almost anything in the wardrobe can be worn with almost anything else. It also means new pieces bought throughout the season slot in nicely rather than sitting unworn at the back of a drawer.
Layer Lightly
Just because it is warm outside does not mean layering has to be abandoned altogether. A lightweight cardigan or an oversized shirt worn open over a vest can be a lifesaver for air conditioned offices, breezy evenings or those unpredictable British summer days that cannot quite decide what they are doing. These light layers also add a bit of interest to an outfit without adding any real weight or warmth.
Choose Footwear That Works As Hard As You Do
Footwear can genuinely make or break a summer outfit, and comfort should always come first when the weather heats up and there is more walking to be done. A pair of women’s mules ticks so many boxes for the warmer months, offering that easy slip on style while still feeling a little more polished than a flip flop, which makes them perfect for everything from a casual coffee catch up to a long weekend of sightseeing.
Do Not Forget The Little Details
Accessories are such an easy way to add personality to a simple summer outfit without much effort at all. A woven bag, a pair of favourite sunglasses or a delicate necklace can take a plain linen dress from ordinary to lovely in seconds. These small touches are often what make an outfit feel personal, and they are a brilliant way to get more wear out of pieces already sitting in the wardrobe.
Keep It Versatile
The real secret to a relaxed summer wardrobe is versatility. Choosing pieces that can be styled in more than one way, whether that is dressing a simple dress up with accessories for an evening out or keeping it casual for a day at home, means far more outfits can be created from far fewer items. For more thoughts on building a wardrobe full of pieces that work together season after season, there is a post about building a few simple wellness habits into daily life, which pairs nicely with the idea of keeping the summer months feeling easy and relaxed.
A relaxed summer wardrobe really is one of the easiest things to put together once the basics are in place. Simple fabrics, a considered colour palette and a few comfortable, versatile pieces go a long way towards making the warmer months feel effortless, both in the way of dressing and in general day to day life.
