Summer Fashion Essentials

Straw accessories are my favourite thing about Summer. I love the excuse to buy everything straw and rattan! It makes me feel like I'm on holiday.

A straw hat is an essential not only because it's beautiful but also because it's practical. Obviously any type of hat will help to keep the sun off of your head (except a visor - stupidest invention ever) but a lovely floppy straw hat just looks so glamorous. I love this one with the little bow for an extra feminine touch.

Pretty much every day of Summer, I'm in a long, flowing dress. I find them so comfortable and yet they look like you've made the biggest effort. People will always say you look nice when you're wearing a romantic, elegant dress, even if your hair and makeup is a bit scruffy!

I love a sundress for effortless, easy style but also because it helps to keep me so cool. Shorter dresses will keep you even cooler but I just think midi and maxi dresses are the ultimate feminine style.

Add a white dress to your summer wardrobe if you haven't already! This one from Silkfred is suitable when it's slightly cooler as well because of the long sleeves, but a white dress will keep you cooler than darker colours anyway. It also just looks so elegant. If you're worried about marking it, stop worrying! I find if I don't think about it, I don't get it dirty. If you do get something on it, soak the dirty area in your laundry detergent and let it sit for a bit before you put it in the washing machine. I find this an easy, no-fuss way to get rid of stains, but you have to do it quickly.

No summer wardrobe essentials list would be complete without sunglasses!

One pair of black sunglasses and one pair of tortoiseshell should be enough to work with all your outfits (though of course, if you are a sunglasses lover, feel free to add a few more pairs, perhaps a white retro pair for 1960s inspired outfits!).

I especially love wearing my sunglasses when I don't have much makeup on. That's most of the time in Summer, because my makeup comes off so quickly anyway. The sunglasses make you look glamorous without the full face of makeup.