Summer is finally here. But in the UK you never know. You might wake up in the morning and see grey clouds accompanied by rain as you look out the window. It would probably be followed by minutes spent in front of your wardrobe, struggling to decide what to wear. But don’t worry: you can turn a wet summer day into a more fun and endurable one with these pieces. So, here are the key six items for the unpredictable British summer.
1. THE LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET
Whether it is a pastel trenchcoat or a waterproof jacket, jackets are the most essential piece of warm but wet ‘summer’ weather clothing. They not only protect you from getting soggy but also style your look. They work with jeans, dresses or trousers and add to a look of ‘effortless chic’.
Plus if you want to add some colour to your wardrobe, you can find light jackets in various colours, perfect for the summer season. I love the ‘Water Repellent Parka’ from Zara in sky blue or creamy white.
Zara, Water Repellent Parka in Creamy Beige, £49.99
2. THE FUN UMBRELLA
As obvious as this might seem, we never really think about our umbrella’s appearance. Poor umbrella. As it is vital in rainy weather, why not make carrying one a bit more fun? Although it may be raining out, with Ted Baker’s ‘Walk Palm Springs Umbrella’ you can feel you are in Palm Springs, with bright pink flamingos surrounding your head underneath the umbrella.
Ted Baker, Walk Palm Springs Umbrella, House of Fraser, £59
3. COMFY TROUSERS
If you are a skinny jean addict like me, this may not seem very appealing. But a rainy day during summer calls out for something more lightweight and comfortable. It will also dry better after surprise showers!
I have always been a fan of Erdem’s floral designs and this season is no different. I find floral patterns especially elegant during summer—better than wearing dull pieces.
Erdem, Giulia Trousers Night Bird, £715
4. LONG SKIRTS
This is for “I am too hot with the duvet, too cold without the duvet” kind of people. When it is too chilly for bare legs but too hot for jeans, split, maxi or mid-length skirts are the perfect solution. They keep you cool but also protect you from getting wet. Massimo Dutti has some really lovely skirts but my favourite is the limited edition ‘Embroidered Midi Skirt’. It provides a feminine look while also keeping it rather casual—perfect for a gloomy summer day. It is on sale as well!
Massimo Dutti, Embroidered Midi Skirt, £39.95
5. ANKLE BOOTS
For me this is just as important as the umbrella because I hate to feel any kind of wetness on my feet! Rainy summer days are critical. You would not want to wear something too wintery as you try to keep dry, but equally when it’s raining outside I wouldn’t recommend you wear sandals or flats.
Ankle boots come out as the best option here as they look quite stylish with dresses and trousers. Hunter’s original ‘Chelsea’ boots are a wardrobe must during chilly summer days. They also come in different colours such as pink or red.
Hunter, Original Chelsea Boots, £85
6. HAIR CLIP
Arriving at work or meetings affected by high humidity isn’t ideal, making your hair look frizzy and you feel frazzled. Keeping a hair clip in your bag helps to keep your hair tamed as you survive the wetness. Again, floral prints make it look more stylish!
