A Summer Dress When It’s Hot, Hot, Hot !

As the UK begins to open, there is still a question mark over holidays abroad. But, it doesn’t stop us from tentatively kickstarting our social lives.

Whether it is a pub lunch, a swanky garden party or meeting up with friends, now is the time, weather permitting, to venture out and feel the joy!

We Brits don’t get that much practice at hot weather dressing, so when it finally comes, I sometimes struggle with what to wear. The outfits I have for the summer months are usually packed away until the following year, hence I wear pretty much the same things, year after year, with the odd new addition.

When shopping for new additions, I look for clothes that will work for me – I also work out what I will wear the item with and which occasions it will be suitable for.  I shop in a completely different way, now.

I bought this floaty maxi dress in January of this year when it was chucking it down with sleety rain outside.  I remember, at the time, in “lockdown”, thinking this will be perfect for an outing in the summer months – lots of optimism there! It was £85.00, reduced in the sale to £21.00 (Warehouse UK). What a steal, and how could I refuse!  As you can gather, I love a bargain, I am almost never extravagant. I suppose, growing up on a council estate in the North East of England has made me spend money, carefully.

Back to this dress, which has sat in my wardrobe waiting to be unleashed, now that the rain has eased (at last).  I have worn it a few times this summer.

Here is how I have styled it:

We were out for a family birthday, on Saturday evening, so I decided to wear my dress.  I wore my summer wedges to give me some height with my shapewear, underneath, to add smooth lines. This is an easy to wear summer dress and I felt super comfortable in it.

For one of my outings, I styled my dress with my tuxedo.  This one is from purse-friendly Zara, and it is quite old. I always feel great in it, and it is certainly earned its keep, over the years. Casual glamour springs to mind. This is one of those items to be worn, again and again, whether it is teamed up with a floaty dress, a pair of jeans, combats and boots, or something ultra-feminine like this dress.  I don’t think you can go wrong with a tux.

For another outing, I wore my dress along with my summer shawl – which is the perfect accessory for cooler evenings.  I bought this one from Marks and Spencer, a few months ago.  A shawl is a timeless item and so handy to pop into your handbag for when the sun has disappeared. Or, for when the air conditioning has turned on, bringing in the arctic conditions.  This shawl is so handy, not only to keep me warm but it can cover arms, protecting my skin from the sun.

Thank you for your time and I hope you have enjoyed reading this post!

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Take care.

Alison xx