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After what felt like the longest wait, payday finally landed, and naturally – while Jake and I are still searching for a house and I don’t have a mortgage to pay for – I couldn’t resist refreshing my summer wardrobe with a few standout pieces. Especially with a couple of holidays on the horizon.
I feel like I’m going through another transitional period with my wardrobe at the moment. The more I refine my personal style, the more I find myself listing older clothes to Vinted and adding newer items that feel more ‘me’ to my wardrobe. This month, that’s consisted of ditching a lot of dark, high necked clothing for bright, breezy midi dresses, comfy and casual co-ords and a leopard swimsuit that’s been on my want list for literally months.
From bold prints and playful cuts to effortless classics you’ll wear on repeat, here’s a closer look at what I added to my basket this payday.
Oliver Bonas Green Sun Print Sleeveless Midi Dress – £85
I caught sight of this dress at Euston Station as I was rushing from my train to a work meeting. Did I then spend the entire meeting thinking about it? Yes. Did I rush into Oliver Bonas to buy it as my train was boarding? Absolutely. Did I leave it on said train on the way home? Nearly, but thankfully, it did make it back with me.
The vibrant pink and brown sun-inspired print feels like pure summer in fabric form. The relaxed, straight fit is perfect for warm weather, and the back details – a low V, three green buttons, and a cut-out – are really beautiful. Made from 55% linen, it’s the ultimate throw-on-and-go dress for brunch dates or a beach walk, but equally can be dressed up for an evening dinner on holiday.
Damson Madder Cheyenne Shirred Ruffle Swimsuit – £33
Every single year I buy a cheap bikini or swimsuit which lasts approximately half a holiday before it’s no longer fit for purpose. I’ve also changed shape since last summer, so a swimwear update was in order and I wasn’t going to make the same mistake another year running.
Last year I had eyed up the Damson Madder Cheyenne Shirred Ruffle Swimsuit in leopard print, but considered £65 a little too expensive – at that point, I might as well have gone the whole hog and invested in a Hunza G. But I spied the Damson Madder one piece in the sale for £33 and I couldn’t be more smug about it.
Sometimes one-pieces with decent coverage such as this can make you feel like an oversized six-year-old but that’s not the case with this at all. It’s playful but still grown up, and the shirred fabric hugs perfectly, while the curved frill neckline and low back are insanely flattering. I love that it’s made with recycled materials, too, making it a stylish and more sustainable choice that I know I’ll reach for again and again.
ASOS shirred vest with olive graphic – £24
Are you kidding me? The red. The shirring. The olive print. Everything about this top is giving picky tea dinner in the sun with a cocktail can in hand and I am absolutely here for it. I ordered this tee faster than you can say Perello Olives, and then pulled a bit of a blank on how to style it. Fortunately, my work bestie Eve turned up to the aforementioned meeting (the one I headed to after falling in love with the Oliver Bonas dress at Euston), wearing said top with a pair of ecru striped River Island jeans that I just also happen to own. What are the chances? Of course I completely stole her look the following weekend for an outdoor festival.
The sleeveless design makes it great if, like me, the idea of a sweat patch in summer fills you with dread. I also really love the different colours in the print design because you can pick out different shades to match accessories to, which will make the look feel fresh each time, even if you’re only changing the handbag.
Now I do regret to inform you that this is currently sold out, but you can sign up to be notified when it returns – and I totally recommend you do so.
F&F red and white crochet co-ord from £16
I must admit, Tesco isn’t somewhere I usually frequent when it comes to clothing – until now. I’d seen @rhiannonflng wear a beautiful pink tie up broderie top from the retailer so decided to stop by to see what offerings my local ‘big Tesco’ had in store. Not only did I manage to snag the very same blush blouse, I couldn’t resist picking up a red and white striped crochet co-ord, too.
The Striped Drawstring Shorts (£16) and Striped Button-Up Shirt (£18) come in a bold vertical stripe and are an absolute steal in comparison to brands like Damson Madder and ASOS who have previously sold similar designs. Both items contain cotton which gives them a soft touch feel. The stretchy waistband of the shorts make them ideal for family barbecues, and the relaxed fit of the shirt is cool and breezy.
The other thing I always enjoy about a co-ord is that you can pair the shorts with a vest or graphic tee for an alternative look, while the shirt can be paired with flowy midi skirts or denim cut-offs – even some linen trousers. This is a set that will definitely earn its keep this summer.
Shop the set here.
M&S Woven Shoulder Tote Bag – £39.50
Hallelujah, M&S online orders are back. I actually don’t know how much longer I could have taken. This Woven Shoulder Tote Bag was the first thing that entered my basket after the lockdown lifted and it’s already proven to be a great summer essential.
Coming in a dreamy shade of blue, it’s made from a light woven fabric, has a shoulder strap that’s not too long or too short, and a roomy, drawstring compartment. It’s practical yet effortlessly stylish, and works for casual as well as more elevated outfits, too. Oh, and I checked, it comfortably fits a full bottle of wine standing upwards, making it ideal for a little park picnic session.
Per Una Pure Cotton Striped Tie Front Shacket and Jeans – from £45
I didn’t have Denise Welsh as a style inspiration on my 2025 bingo card, but I saw her wear this Per Una Pure Cotton Striped Tie Front Shacket on Loose Women the other week and it was all I could think of. Unfortunately it was sold out online so I popped into the Market Street store in Manchester after a pilates class and managed to snag not only the top, but the matching jeans too!
What I particularly like about the top is that it’s not too light nor too heavy. It can be styled as a jacket or a top – I think I’m going to wear mine with a little white vest underneath. The jeans are a really great fit. I went for my usual size and they’ve got a lovely high waist and relaxed silhouette, which is my favourite style. Together, they deliver a fresh, playful take on double denim, but much like the F&F co-ord, can be worn independently, too. I think I’m going to have a lot of fun styling these, but to start things off I’ll likely keep it simple with some Sambas and a leopard print bag.
Shop the look here.
