Midlife Loves

"Timeless everyday style"

Midlife Loves

My Summer Must Haves & WIWT

I was recently asked what my summer wardrobe 'must haves' would be & thought it would make a great post for anyone needing inspiration or looking to add a few updates to their summer wardrobe.

So before we jump straight in I would point out (just in case the hubby is reading ;-) ) that I'm bound to have missed some 'essentials' off the list but for the purposes of this post I've tried to think of great wardrobe neutrals that would make stylish additions, that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion & could also form a great basis for your holiday edit too.

First on the list is a simple black jumpsuit.  Perfect for dressing down with a biker/denim jacket & flats for the day or teaming with heels & a statement clutch for a night out.  Plus if its the right style a great comfy & stylish number for travelling on your hols.  This one from Wallis is the one I wore during my photoshoot (see here) & recently wore here & is perfect for teaming with a statement belt.






Another item of clothing I'd be lost without is a black maxi dress/skirt.  For the purpose of my 'must haves' I've picked a maxi dress as it's so much easier to style than a skirt & top.  I just love this one from ASOS & again like the jumpsuit above it can so easily be adapted for day or evening & given a different feel just with the addition of different accessories & jewellery.






If you've been following my blog for a while you may recall last year's holiday posts & my recap (see here) which showed that I tried to stick to just three main colours for my holiday clothes & predominately used accessories to create different looks.

With this in mind I've had to include this stunning boho maxi dress (this may have found a new home in my wardrobe!).  A perfect dress for teaming with a tan for holidays, layering with denim for cooler days & a simple pair of flat sandals back home.  Not to mention teamed with a biker for a more rock chick kind of look.






If you're anything like me each summer will find you looking for the perfect summer white dress.  Something a little bit boho that's not too short.  Well how about this beach dress from Hush.  I've had my eye on this since it was first released & whilst I haven't seen it in the flesh I reckon this would be perfect for wearing on hot summer days & is just such a flattering style that it's perfect for hiding any extra calories after holidays ;-)




Hush Coco Beach Dress


Of course a summer wardrobe wouldn't be complete without a denim dress (or two).  I love this denim one from Hush & have previously featured it on the blog.  Plus this would be pefect for layering come autumn & I reckon it would totally rock teamed with a biker jacket or for a more classic look a mac come September/Autumn.






Of course having a huge weakness for jeans you can never have enough denim in your wardrobe & come the warmer months I'm still partial to wearing a pair - with my style of choice being cropped & distressed.  I don't know about you but I'd be lost without a white pair.  These ones from Mango have just the right amount of distressing & are literally going to go with most things hanging in your wardrobe.






Plus of course you need a fab pair of light denim distressed jeans too.






And my final trouser of choice has to be a khaki laid back cargo style.  These ones from French Connection look stunning & as you can see from the picture can so easily be dressed up for evening with the right top & heels but equally a simple white tee, trainers & denim jacket for daytime too.






Moving onto tops next & having fallen back in love with camisoles a couple of years ago I wouldn't be without a few bright coloured ones.  Perfect on hot days for teaming with denim cut offs or a maxi or even a simple pair of jeans.  Plus of course they're incredibly useful for wearing under a blazer with a statement necklace or pendant.  I just love the colour of these two from New Look.










Back to neutrals next with this lovely off white lace top from Mint Velvet - perfect to team with a pair of distressed jeans & trainers for day or wear with skinnies & a fabulous court shoe for a night out not to mention team with a leather pencil skirt.






Another great top for summer is a boho styled blouse.  Something that you can simply throw on & not worry about & is ideal for teaming with jeans or denim cut offs & layering with a few delicate chains.  I love the look of this one from Mango - such a pretty neckline.






And of course you can't beat a classic white oversized shirt.  Use as a beach cover up on holiday & team with skinnies or boyfriend jeans once home.






Now although we're talking summer 'must haves' I couldn't not feature a jacket or two & with the weather being as unpredictable as it is in the UK it's not like we can pack them away.  So if you haven't already invested a patterned quilted jacket is a great piece to think about purchasing.  Perfect for throwing over a simple cami & denim cut offs while temperatures heat up or team with jeans, trainers & a simple tee.  Not to mention worn with cargo pants or a jumpsuit.  Having shyed away from a patterned jacket for many years, since updaing my wardrobe with a couple of this type of jacket I've seen how useful they are for adding some interest to a simple outfit.






And of course every summer wardrobe needs a pair of denim shorts, even if they're just for wearing in the garden.  These ones from Boden look perfect with just a hint of distressing to add a bit of interest.






Keeping with denim & another essenital is a denim jacket.  The perfect go to for throwing over most outfits & of course a real wardrobe classic.  I'm seriously loving the colour & style of this one from Mango.






Turning to accessories & a straw panama is a real wardrobe 'must have' - perfect for shielding from the sun, hiding bad hair days & simply just looking styled.






If like me your wardrobe consists of mainly plain pieces then you'll need the odd statement piece of jewellery to bring your outfit to life & add some interest.  Now of course there are simply lots of pieces I could pick but if you were only going to invest in a couple of pieces I would suggest a large statement necklace for one, such as this necklace from Wallis.  Perfect for wearing with a deep 'V' styled top & helping you feel a little less bare.






And the second style would be a long pendant that can be worn on it's own or layered with other chains.  I've just bought the one below & it really is stunning & looks far more expensive than it's price.  This with a simple cami, jeans & pair of ballet pumps or sandals is my idea of the perfect understated outfit.






Then of course there's bracelets & like necklaces I could simply choose hundreds to feature but I don't think you'll go wrong in investing in one of the many Hipanema designed bracelets.  Yes they're a little pricey but if you add up the cost of buying several bracelets to create this look it suddenly doesn't seem as expensive & you can literally just clip this on & go.






Turning to bags next & an ethnic/embroidered clutch or two really does make the perfect addition.  If I didn't already have a few in my wardrobe then I would be clicking the button in an instant on these two beauties.










And finally shoes.  In the anticipation of a good summer for me it has to be flat sandals.  Something that has a bit of detail that can again transform a simple outfit.  In fact this next pair of sandals may or may not be winging their way to me as I type!






And if I didn't already own a pair of tan flats then this pair from Hush would be top of my list too.






Finishing with my outfit for today.


My Midlife Fashion, Quilted Jacket, Denim Skirt, Trainers, Saddle Bag, Embroidery Angliase, Zara, Mango, Clarks


Jacket - Mango
Top - Zara
Bracelet - Coco Bay
Bag - Clarks
Skirt - Zara
Trainers - Mango


Pattern Clashing, Embroidery Anglaise, Denim Skirt, Quilted Jacket, Trainers, Saddle Bag, Mango, Zara, marks and spencer, Havanans


Jacket - Mango £44.99
Top - Zara £25.99
Bracelet - Coco Bay £69
Trainers - Mango £44.99


So there you have my selection of 'must haves' for summer.  What do you think?  Do you see anything to tempt you?  I'd also love to hear what would make it onto your essentials list & if you think I've missed something vital off the list.

See you tomorrow.

post signature

12 comments

  1. Great list Jane. I'd just add a pair of tan wedges or mid heels and a white or neutral blazer! Sandra x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh yes a great couple of additions Sandra, both great neutrals for teaming with so many things.
      Jane xx

      Delete
  2. With so many photos in the post almost did not find your look, which is most interesting to me. I love the jacket, blouse is beautiful, and I like the look with your skirt.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi I just wanted to say that I've been reading your blog for a while , I really enjoy it. Thanks for all your hard work. A

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Anna it's so lovely to hear from you. Thanks for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment, I hope you continue enjoying my blog.
      Jane xx

      Delete
  4. Great essentials here. Mine would be tan sandals, denim shorts, white tops, flip flops, straw bag... Love your picks, Jane. Lynne xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can't go wrong with those essentials can you Lynne. Now if the weather would just play ball we could concentrate on wearing all our summer collections! ;-)
      Jane xx

      Delete
  5. Loving the ASOS maxi dress and the French Connection Tencel trousers. Great choices! Just need some sunshine now...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Emma & yes if the sunshine could now play ball it would be much appreciated!!
      Jane xx

      Delete
  6. Love the ASOS black maxi and the pink New Look cami, may have to add them to my shopping list! #MBPW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're both stunning aren't they & great classics to add to a wardrobe, now if the weather could start heating up that would be perfect!
      Jane xx

      Delete

© My Midlife Fashion | Professional Blog Designs by pipdig