[unpaid/affiliate] I’m off for my first visit to Rome next weekend and it’s just put me in a summery mood. I’ve discovered, to my cost, that sometimes the best summer buys are the ones that arrive well before actual summer so you have to be prepared to think ahead a bit. I’ve done a quick compilation from (mostly) H&M – most of which is going in my shopping cart because they’re such easy wear items.
Straight away, I thought this tie dye dress is perfect for those madly hot days that we get now where there’s no wind, no air con and no relief, even at night. You could spend the day literally wearing only two things (one if you don’t mind being knicker free – I feel a bit weird about that) if we don’t include shoes. I realise it’s boob dependent – I’m not sure I’d go completely bra-less outside of my house and garden but I have a great strapless bra from Wacoal (HERE – B to E cups) in black, white and buff and don’t care if any edges show. I’m anticipating having to do a bit of strap adjustment on this dress because at 5ft 3 I think they might be longer than I need. Nonetheless, it’s in my bag in anticipation of the hot days, and also to double as a cover up over my swimmies at the beach. It’s £15.99 HERE and just add sunglasses.
This racer back top is SO up my street – it’s a kind of latte ombre that’s completely perfect with white linen trousers, white jeans, white skirts or denim anything. Again, the Wacoal bra is my saviour for this elevated summer t-shirt. I like the fact that it’s scoop neck which for me personally is a million times more flattering that the usual racer-back neck which fits close to the base of the neck. I don’t like being gripped at the throat! It comes in sizes XS to XL and is £10.99 HERE.
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Speaking of linen trousers, this is the style that I prefer with a thin waist band (I don’t like being gripped at the waist either!). It’s a relaxed, pyjama style that’s meant to be a little bit droopy and lounge-y. I have a very similar pair that I bought in Stockholm and I love them – no point in trying to smarten them up, the more relaxed the better. If you take them up (which I suspect I would need to), don’t take them up too far and lose the grunge. They’re also available in black so I feel tempted by that. These are 100% linen – I’m not really a fan of a linen ‘blend’ because they can feel a bit sweaty in the wear which is the last thing you want. These trousers are £27.99 HERE in XS to XL.
I’ve been talking about these H&M linen shirts for years – I have at least four – so I’ve sort of got the idea of how they’re released. You may find later in the summer that there are some brighter versions (I’m holding out for a bright blue) but what I do know is that they sell out every year without fail. Colours available are black, white, mid-blue stripe, light khaki, taupe stripe (shown), blue and white stripe and beige in sizes XS to 4XL. I like them because they’re so easy to wear under a knit vest, over a t-shirt, over a vest as a jacket, with jeans, with linen trousers – the list goes on. I take one (or two) on holiday and use it as a cover up for the beach, for traveling in over a strappy top, tucked into jeans under a jacket … they’re probably my most versatile and most worn items and I think a bit of a snip at £27.99 – the quality is excellent. They’re HERE.
I’m finishing with these rose gold Fitflops – I live in Fitflops every summer (since their existence!) and have what could be termed as a library of Fitflops (it’s probably an addiction). I like this style for their espadrille-ness and metallic finish but they’re also available in tan, silver and black. I find them so comfortable, even newly cracked out of the box, and it’s rare to find shoes that you don’t have work with a bit until they feel like yours. The price, over the years, has rocketed and these are £125 HERE but if they’re your go-to shoes for the entire summer and beyond, a good investment for happy feet. If you were a fan of the original tall Mukluks (which I was and still am to this day for keeping my feet utterly cosy through winter dog walks) they’re half price in sizes 4-7 HERE and I’d highly recommend for anyone who gets cold feet and lower legs or has circulation issues.
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