Summer Outfits for the City

As temperatures in London soar for our annual 2 week long summer, I wanted to share some city suitable looks for the occasional but always welcome hot weather. Also including a curation for those muggy days that threaten a light sprinkling of rain and those cooler evenings.

In the spring and summer months, I tend to prefer oversized fits and neutrals glammed up with gold costume jewellery, rather than lots of colour and patterns, but I am well aware I may be in the minority here. Due to the muggy weather, I love breathable linens, and cottons (organic if possible), steering clear of anything synthetic or that could stick to the body. The aim here is chic, simple, comfortable summer styling but let’s see how we go…

LOOK 1 & 2: WHITE ON WHITE SEASON IS BACK

I adore white on white for the summer. There is something so chic in the simplicity, particularly white trousers paired either with a slightly sexy shirt tied up to show off one’s waist or an oversized floppy linen shirt to give off more of a relaxed, Monica in early Friends vibe.

Vintage YSL jeans sourced from Treasures of NYC Clubhouse featured on our Luxury Vintage Guide for New York, paired with an oversized 100% Cotton Shirt from Arket.

One for the office: Simple 100% cotton shirt dress with puff sleeve detailing from Simone Rocha, vintage Versace sunglasses from Treasures of NYC, straw basket paired with Russell & Bromley brown leather brogues.

Simone Rocha dress is available to rent on ByRotation, please click on the image above or click HERE.

For more white on white looks, find us on insta @circularstyle_:

LOOK 3 & 4: CHIC & SIMPLE IN BLACK & WHITE

This strappy, slouchy black jumpsuit was my mum’s back in the day, although the material is chiffon-y, it is loose enough that it doesn’t matter and is actually very airy. To give it a little shape, I tie a white cotton shirt around the waist, it’s also very useful to have in case the weather changes. Paired, of course with my favourite vintage Versace sunglasses and a straw basket.

Black 100% linen shirt from Arket is perfect for the summer as it’s breathable, layered over a little crop to accentuate the waist and length of the legs, as the jeans and shirt are on the looser side, it could be a little unflattering without attention being drawn to the midrift. White jeans from Treasures of NYC, paired with Birkenstocks.

LOOK 5: BLAZER LOVE

When the weather can’t make up its mind, it’s sunny one minute and windy and cloudy the next, an oversized blazer is the ultimate spring/summer essential.

This preloved chocolate brown Arket blazer was sourced from Depop and is paired with vintage levi’s denim shorts sourced from Awoke Vintage, featured on our Vintage Thrift Guide for New York.

LOOK 6: THE WANNABE SOCCER MOM

A casual weekend look for sunny but windy walks in the park, and long alfresco pub lunches that run into the evening when the chill in the air returns. This beautiful suede vintage jacket was sourced from Beacon’s Closet, an excellent thrift store listed in our Guide to Vintage Thrift Shopping in Williamsburg, New York. Denim shorts are sourced from Awoke Vintage, also featured in our thrift guide.

LOOK 7: RAIN COULD BE COMING

Although I wish it wasn’t the case, my vintage Burberry trench, sourced from my favourite vintage boutique in Barcelona (coming soon to our vintage guides), is never too far away even in the summer. To avoid getting too hot, I remove the lining so it’s just a light shell. Although it wouldn’t protect me from a full on downpour, for a light drizzle it suffices. Paired with a simple white tee and white vintage YSL jeans. Although I’m wearing a trench coat which feels inherently unsummery, I feel by keeping the colours light, the outfit’s retains its spring/summery feel.

LOOK 8: DRINKS WITH THE GIRLS

A classic look borrowed from the 80s, an oversized blazer and jeans. Think Whitney Houston with her straw bucket hat paired with an oversized blazer and her incredibly long legs in american blue jeans…if you know you know.

A couple of variations here, one look an oversized navy Balmain Paris blazer sourced from Royal Trinity Hospice in Notting Hill and another preloved chocolate Blazer from M&S, swapped on Vinted. Each look is paired with a crop or tucked in top to accentuate the waist and balance the oversized blazer and perspex shoes for some added height and again to balance the oversized fit. Finally paired with GOOSSENS jewellery, the perfect costume jewellery to add to any outfit.