5 Style Essentials For A Typical British Summer

When someone who isn't from the UK talks about British summers they often talk about dreamy countryside road trips finished up with a picnic and everything else quintessentially British. And having lived in England all of my life I can safely say that our summers are very hit and miss. When it's sunny it's truly beautiful but because it's not something we're graced with that often none of us know how to cope. And then the rest of the time it's either pouring with rain or there's a lot of those days where it starts off cold and then by 10 am it's sweltering. So here are 5 of the best wardrobe essentials for any girl trying to dress for an unpredictable British summer...

RAINCOAT

For many years I just relied on my leather jacket to see me through the Summer months but now I tend to walk a lot more I need something more suitable for outdoor pursuits. Of course, I still reach for my classic biker jacket when out and about in the city but in general, a raincoat is the perfect summer essential. They're ideal for those days where it's not quite warm enough to forgo a jacket but not cool enough for a proper coat. And of course in the rain, because there is nothing worse than a soggy jacket stuck to your bare limbs. I always thought anoraks were kinda frumpy but as of right now they're pretty stylish.

BLOUSE

A nice well fitting shirt is always a staple in my wardrobe all year round. And whilst I typically go for an Oxford shirt sometimes they can be a little too heavy for those hot humid days so a lightweight blouse or shirt is perfect. If you go for something with long sleeves especially it can offer up a little more warmth whilst still being breathable. And blouses are always so easy to style and go with pretty much anything else you can think of.

SMOCK DRESS

For those really swelteringly hot days that we have in the UK where it feels like it's too hot to even have skin my essential this year is a smock dress. I've always admired them from afar but never found one that looks right on me but this year I found the one. They're so lightweight and breathable allowing all your limbs to breathe comfortably without any restrictive material in sight. As well as of course being incredibly easy to style they're also the perfect style essential if you suffer from bloating and still want to feel awesome in your outfit.

LIGHTWEIGHT KNIT

I've said it before and I will say it again but a lightweight knit is a staple in anyone's wardrobe. But especially in the UK as not only do they keep you warm when you need them to but they're also the perfect layering piece to go with just about anything else in your wardrobe. Especially in a neutral shade like a cream or grey as they're easily paired with other shades or patterns so you never have to worry about clashing.

WATERPROOF SHOES

Whilst I'd love to be able to say that all I need is my pretty summer sandals that certainly isn't the case for us UK girls. We need a shoe that is waterproof and even though I adore my Nike flyknits and Converse for general day to day wear they're not waterproof and soggy shoes are horrible to deal with. So a waterproof boot or even a wellie is a great essential to have as they're not just for festivals or walking the dog anymore.