July 19, 2019

My 2019 Summer Uniform & Where To Buy It

SCHOOL’S OUT FOR THE SUMMER

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I am feeling this summer (despite being in bed with a bout of seasonally-inappropriate flu as I write this post). Our mates are visiting for the weekend and we’re planning the holy trinity of hot weather activities: a bike ride, a picnic on the beach AND a BBQ. Lush. Let’s just ignore the fact that the forecast says it’s going to rain tonight, yeah?

Not only have we been making the most of the weather, I feel like I’ve been making the most out of my summer capsule too. Clammy days have meant that my usual working-from-home uniform that consists of fleecy tracksuit bottoms and thick hoodies, haven’t made for optimal working conditions, so I’ve found myself wearing clothes throughout the working week and the weekend. Ground-shifting news, I know. We all know that no good work gets done in jeans, so instead I’ve been manoeuvring into a midi-skirt, pairing it with a t-shirt or tank top and calling it a day. The Postman and delivery guys are *shook* to see that I do actually own proper clothing and when I have to run an errand I no longer do so looking like I’ve just rolled out of bed. Instead I put on a pair of wrap sandals and look like a proper, adulting human. Not only had this ensemble become my daily uniform because of it’s high comfortability-rating, it’s also pretty freaking chic; perfect for posting parcels, but also perfect for popping out for dinner. I’m finally learning to relax the reigns on my ‘jeans and t-shirt’ hold and embracing a slightly new silhouette for summer…

TANK TOPS

There are some things that you have to buy that are just extremely boring. Socks, no-VPL underwear, toilet roll, life assurance – you get the gist. I would add basic blank tank tops to the list too. Boring they might be, but I found it tricky to find my perfect fit. Some would be too baggy around the boobs, or too tight which made my sweaty armpits even more claustrophobic. The perfect one for me is the Mango Essential Strap Top*, which is a slim fit with wide enough straps that I can still wear a bra under if I want to. If you fanciest something a little different the & Other Stories Fitted Square Neck Tank Top*, has similar properties but with a ‘basic with a twist’ square neckline.

I’m also really lusting after tank tops with a knitted fabric finish. There’s something beachy and cool about them and they do look really fab with summer washes of denim. The saved section on my Instagram is full of ’em. If I would to point you in the direction of two, they would be the & Other Stories Cotton Blend Knit Tank Top* which has a racer-back style, or the Mango Ribbed Cotton Blend Top*, which sits slightly lower on the neckline.

SHOP THE EDIT*

MIDI SKIRTS

A SKIRT?! I know. Never have I worn skirts so much since I wore them to school only because all the other girls did and yes of course I folded the waistband over as many times as possible without my arse cheeks completely falling out of the bottom because I was just so darn desperate to be C.O.O.L. These days a midi-skirt length is ‘just more comfortable and practical for me – less flashing, just the need to moisturise from the knee down. SWEET. My favourite, favourite, FAVOURITE, is the Realisation Par The Naomi Wild Things Skirt. It’s just wonderful. Love the print. Love the fit. Love it with every single outfit I wear it with. It’s pricey yes, but as an IG commenter pointed out recently, my ‘cost per wear’ of it is getting low. FYI: I wear a medium in other Realisation Par pieces, but I wear a small in this.

Annoyingly there’s something about the fit and the fabric that just hasn’t been duped perfectly elsewhere, but the & Other Stories Zebra Print Midi Skirt* might not have the right animal print, but the style is very similar. If it’s a patterned midi skirt that you’re after then I also love the look of the Mango Wrap Print Skirt*, polka dot is a print that I go back to season after season – it’s timeless. In terms of plain skirts, this & Other Stories Flowy Satin Midi Skirt* has caught my eye. It’s not in my usual colour palette, but being a neutral pastel shade it would work with everything that I usually wear.

SHOP THE EDIT*

WRAP SANDALS

When I was a child I saw Victoria Beckham wearing wrap sandals and so I attempted to recreate the look in my bedroom with some soles fashioned from cardboard cereal boxes and the wrap section made from shoelaces. It was quite the look. I’ve never really been able to let the vision go and I’ve found this nineties phenomenon in perfect 2019 form in the LOQ Ara Sandals*. They are definitely more of an investment piece, but I’m two summers down with these bad boys already and they are just perfection. The leather wraps don’t slip down your ankles and considering they are made of quite a sturdy leather I find them surprisingly comfortable. They have the ability to make whatever outfit jumble I’m wearing look ok if you’re squinting and just assessing me from the knees down.

Again these are a tough one to dupe, although the Mango Leather Strap Sandals* do the best job with minimal straps and in a neutral shade that will go with everything. If you don’t mind a wee bit of a heel then the & Other Stories Square Toe Lace Up Heeled Sandals* are almost like if my LOQ sandals had a baby with the By Far Carrie Slingbacks* – another fave. If you fancy something that’s the same, but different and actually a lot more casual then the Mango Lace Slingback Espadrilles* will be perfect for your next beach day. Fingers crossed it ain’t raining, eh?