Give a Brit a cold winter’s day and she’ll be adept at dressing accordingly, creating a great combination of chunky knits, cozy accessories and stylish boots. When heatwave season arrives, we often turn into a shriveled, sunburnt mess. Dressing for summer shouldn’t be difficult; It even requires less clothing! – but in the excitement of eating ice cream and sunbathing, we can lose our heads.
Of course, looking good while enjoying the sun is not important, but it’s as much about how you feel as it is about how you look. Choosing your outfit correctly will undoubtedly make Mr. Whippy even cuter.
Here are seven style mistakes we Brits make all the time and how to overcome them.
Men think it’s okay to go out shirtless
Problem
Sorry to single you out here, gentlemen, but this is for you – unless you’re at the beach, encountering a bunch of hairy chests in the park/street on a hot summer day can be quite dazzling. Perhaps this complaint stems from jealousy (after all, it takes a very brave woman to have the courage to beat the heat while topless). This seems to be a particular trend for British men, some of whom feel the season hasn’t really started until they’ve bared their nipples to the world.
Solution
Quite simply, keep your shirt on unless you’re in the comfort of your own backyard or beach. A thin shirt or light-colored t-shirt will keep you quite cool.
Guildford shirt, £95, October Releases, the rest of the clothes from a selection in Octobre Editions; Cotton t-shirt, £18, john lewisthe rest of the clothes are from a selection at John Lewis
Crumpled linen from head to toe
Problem
It’s known as the coolest and most refreshing fabric of the summer, but unless you have a helper keeping you around (which defeats the idea of ”staying cool” on its head), a linen outfit can turn into a crumpled mess within five minutes of wearing it.
Solution
A rumpled shirt or wide-legged trousers have a certain appeal, but combine the two and an outfit that’s supposed to signal effortless elegance quickly turns into an unattractive, worn-out vision of chaos. Instead, try pairing a linen piece with something more structured like a denim skirt or shorts, or a cotton blouse for a more balanced, polished effect.
Linen shirt, £57, archetype
Linen shirt, £35 And boyfriend shorts, £27.50 both Marx and Spencer
Underestimation of temperature
Problem
When most of us see “heatwave” or any number above 20 in the weather forecast, we turn our mindset to lightweight fabrics and delicate layers, but others seem to exist with blinders on. Just this week, I saw people sticking to tights and wool coats when they had sandals and sunnies around them. How do they not faint from overheating?
Solution
Whether your ignorance of hot weather stems from the fact that you haven’t gotten out of your summer clothes yet, or you’re a bit nash, there are ways to join in on the fun without turning up to the Love Island contestant completely scantily clad. A mid-season fit will help; The optimistic green color of Kitri’s palazzo trousers and peplum top will suit all temperatures.
Top, £125 and pants, £165both Kitri
Silk shirt £250 And trousers, £230both Asceno
strap marks
Problem
Are you really British if you haven’t experienced the horror of a very dangerous sunburn pattern that takes months to fade? This is a particular risk in current fashion for dresses and tops that come with intricate strap and cutout patterns, offering countless opportunities for tanning mistakes.
Solution
If you want to try a look that includes some geometric complication, you can choose an evening or day when you know you will be in the shade. Other times, opt for something that won’t leave weird patterns on your body, like Asceno’s scoop-neck maxi dress; The wavy proportions will keep you cool and provide some neck and shoulders coverage, meaning you’ll get through the summer without showing an embarrassing pattern on your skin.
Linen maxi dress, £495, Ascension
The mini dress is now £36, down from £90. Garden
Saggy old swimsuit
Problem
Is it worth spending money on new swimsuits when there are only a few sunny days a year? Many Brits believe the answer to this question is a resounding no, compared to the worn-out clothes I see at British pools and beaches, as well as the lavish bikini/short wardrobes most French and Italians have prepared for themselves. every year.
Solution
Treat yourself to a truly luxurious and well-made swimsuit that will leave you feeling collected and confident when you hit the water. If you invest a little more at first, you’ll be rewarded with years of guaranteed swim-chic looks. For women, consider Cossie + Co, Hunza G, Youswim and Evarae, while men should consult Love Brand & Co, Orlebar Brown and Vilebrequin.
Colour-blocked swimsuit, £150, Cossie + co; Swim shorts, £150, Love Brand & Co.
Going so hard
Problem
Exposing the body is an important issue when it comes to summer clothing, and everyone will have different approaches. Is there any right or wrong? Not exactly, but don’t feel like you have to wear really tight t-shirts, dresses, or shorts to look and feel good.
Solution
Conversely, having a little more fabric and letting it billow softly around you rather than squeezing every contour of your body will be much more comfortable when boiling; Think of it as your own air conditioning system. Zara and Toast have wonderful, flattering dresses that will be much more comfortable than bodycon.
Printed dress, £49.99, Zara’s
dangerous shorts
Problem
Shorts seem to pose a particular challenge for Brits, who tend to choose designs that are too short and/or too tight. It’s beautiful, but not always the most flattering option. Some people avoid shorts for this very reason, not realizing that there are plenty of improved versions out there.
Solution
My advice for finding the sweet spot for shorts is to go long but not too long and loose but not too baggy. Think just above your knee and leave at least an inch or so between your leg and the shorts. These are tricky areas, but if you do them right you’ll have company to keep you company during the British heatwave.
Striped shorts, £69, Albaray; Linen blend shorts, £35, M&S