The Essential Summer Wardrobe

Avril Keys writes the fabulous School Gate Style blog which is helping busy mums up and down the country make more of themselves without spending a fortune we asked Avril to let us in on a secret What is the essential summer wardrobe? and this is what she told us.

I’m always asked this time of year about the best summer wardrobe buys for busy mums on a budget.  Summer is a more challenging time to dress – just look at the mix of weather we’ve had so far! However, you can still look stylish and be ready for whatever this summer has to throw at us with these wardrobe essentials:

As with winter, layering is key so start with some long line vest tops. Primark has without doubt the best selection. Make sure you have at least 3 or 4 white ones, a nude one and a couple of other colours that suit your wardrobe.  They can be worn alone or under an open shirt, a cardigan, a blazer or a chiffon top. Make sure they are long line – they must at least reach your hips and ideally below. This means you can ruche them a little to disguise any wobbly belly.

Next, look for a lightweight blazer style jacket. Again, Primark have some fab ones in cream, navy and black. If you’re lucky, you might come across a pink or coral one from older stock (still kicking myself that I missed out on those!). I bought this H&M one for just £29.99 – it’s a great colour . A lightweight blazer is the most stylish jacket choice this time of year and the tailored look is flattering on all body shapes.

If you’re a trouser wearer, then M&S jeggings at £22 are a great option this summer. They come in lots of colours and have been receiving rave reviews on the M&S website. I also have some Primark lightweight skinny jeans (£11) – really soft and made from a lovely light stretchy cotton. If you can’t make the move to coloured jeans – then go for some white. White jeans are actually more flattering than faded blue jeans. And don’t stress about them getting dirty. It’s nothing a 60 degree wash can’t sort out!

If you don’t like the skinny look, how about some chinos? Next has the best fitting chinos in my opinon and they’re only £20. It’s a really current look too – much more stylish than the ¾ length wide trousers from previous summers.

If you like to get your legs out – shorts are a big story this season. Remember the ¾ wide-leg trousers that look a bit dated? Do what I did and cut them off into shorts!

Dresses next and if you’ve not got yourself a maxi dress yet, this summer is the year for it. Most flattering I think are these New Look ones. Add a long necklace, or a belt, and you’re stylish & cool. If it gets chilly, add your blazer or a cardigan. Or a denim jacket if you’re still hanging onto one from the 90’s like me!

Onto footwear and this summer you’re going to need some wedges and a pair of flat sandals. Wallis has my favourite wedges and I just got a couple of pairs of these flat sandals from Matalan – great price and so comfy! Topshop also have this great pair of leather flats.

Finally, a few accessories no stylish mum should be without. Great sunglasses (TK Maxx all the way) and some lightweight summer scarves. For scarves, I recommend H&M but also have a look online for something a bit different. I’m loving this lightweight yellow striped scarf available online at Scarf Envy for just £5.99 (free delivery too!)!

And some shopping advice to finish on? Don’t write off something because you think it won’t suit you. I did this for years and was stuck in a boring bootleg jeans rut – yawn!

Go shopping on your own and try on lots of different things – bring a friend to help you or ask the staff – most shops are happy to help. If you can’t get to the shops, buy online and try at home. Most companies offer free returns and what better way to shop than in the comfort of your own home!

You can get lots more fashion inspiration over on www.schoolgatestyle.com and if you’ve any specific questions, I’d be happy to help you-just email schoolgatestye@yahoo.co.uk!

Avril Keys set up School Gate Style in January 2012. She’s a stay at home mum of 3 kids and the blog is a fashion diary of an ordinary mum who wears practical affordable clothes. She’s not a stylist or a fashion guru and she has a very limited budget – like a lot of busy mums out there! Avril is all about helping busy women find some fashion inspiration and her blog features stylish practical, high-street outfits to wear every day.  Follow her @SchoolGateStyle

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