WearsMyMoney

I am always a bit fearful when I base a whole post on the weather but, here in London, we are back to feeling hot, hot, hot. A quick glance at the weather for the rest of the UK also (at present) suggests that other parts of the country are getting an actual summer right now, too, so I feel reasonably safe with this topic for now. As ever, don’t blame me if it’s pissing down next time you’re out and about in your linen looks. 

And talking of linen, it seems like a good place to start…

LOVELY LINEN

When the temperature heats up, there’s not a lot better to put on than your favourite linen dress. Easy breezy, nothing tight… we need that air flowing across us right now. I’ve tried to make this post more about everyday dressing than holiday wear, so these dresses should be more office-appropriate than your little strappy numbers. 

1. Massimo Dutti short sleeve linen midi dress
2. Missoma Spiral Gemstone Beaded Necklace
3. Missoma Spiral Small Stud Earrings
4. & Other Stories Leather-Piping Straw Bag
5. Jigsaw Linen Square Neck Dress
6. Free People Anya Criss-Cross Sandals

A MINI SKIRT

Are you brave enough to wear a mini skirt? I’m saying yes – yes, you are. If you are bit worried about flashing your knickers, maybe try a pair of these shorts underneath. They should make you feel a little more secure and help with any upper thigh chafing. This skirt is from one of my favourite small brands, 46 Stitch. They also do contrasting super-lightweight cotton shirts. Perfect heatwave attire. 

1. Isabel Marant Aviator-style sunglasses
2. Zara faux pearl charm necklace set 
3. With Nothing Underneath Linen stripe shirt
4. Kate Spade Do It All Large Tote Bag
5. 46 Stitch frilly edge cotton wrap mini skirt 
6. Alohas Rosalind Red Leather Ballet Flats

SHORTS OF COURSE

If a mini skirt is not for you, surely you can consider a pair of shorts in this weather. I can tell you right now that no one on the street is going to be as critical of your legs as you are. Embrace the heat and get the legs out. If you’re wearing denim shorts, try going for a loose, lightweight cotton top to pair with them to get that breeze flowing. 

1. Tom Ford Lauren Sunglasses
2. Rixo Immie embroidered top
3. River Island Gingham Short Puff Sleeve Top
4. Abercrombie Linen-Blend Bermuda Shorts
5. H&M High-waisted denim shorts
6. Zara Flat Strappy Sandals 
7. Veittes Women’s Flat Woven Sandals 

THE BEST VEST

Can I bang on any more about how good the Uniqlo bra vests are? Probably not, but I’m going to do it, anyway. For context, I have around a 32B to 34C bust (varies wildly from bra to bra), and the support and padding in these are perfect for me. They’re definitely the best I’ve tried, and I’ve had messages from others with larger bangers singing their praises. M&S do decent ones as well, but I find their white ones to be a bit see-through, so I’d say stick to black if you get one from there. I am also LOVING these ME+EM trousers. I wore almost this exact outfit out to dinner the other week. 

1. Uniqlo Halter Neck Sleeveless Bra Top
2. Louise Sinclair gold and diamond shell necklace 
3. Augustinus Bader Tinted lip Balm
4. Andersons textured leather belt 
5. ME + EM Exaggerated Tapered Trousers
6. All Saints Allington Straw Tote Bag
7. Mango sandals with buckle strap 

THE SHORT DRESS

Don’t save your favourite short dress for holidays; wear it out and about in your usual habitat. One thing I do love about a heatwave is being able to wear all my holiday clothes at home. I feel sad for them being worn only a few weeks a year. We spend far more time thinking about what we’re going to take and wear on holiday than we do in our everyday life. It should be the other way round sometimes. 

1. Oliver Bonas square sunglasses 
2. Second Stories Shell pendant necklace 
3. Maia Willow Gold Clam Shell Earrings
4. Rae Feather Mini Penelope Dress 
5. Zara mini metallic handbag
6. ME + EM Embroidered Cheesecloth Short Dress
7. Air & Grace Dancing Queen Sandals 
8. Zara sandals with starfish detail 

SOME SMARTER SHORTS

Can we wear shorts to the office? Of course, you might not want to – seeing as so many offices are air-conditioned to hell in the summer and you need to break out your emergency cardigan even when it’s 80 degrees outside. (Surely everyone has an emergency cardi in the office? Or was that just me?) But a good pair of smarter shorts is definitely something we should all have in our wardrobe for this weather. 

1. Cefinn Cotton Seersucker Blouse
2. Monica Vinader Zodiac Necklace (use code KATEHMV20 for discount) 
3. Zara Bermuda shorts with belt 
4. Other Letters sweary hand fan 
5. Grenson Quinta Sandals 
6. Loewe Paula’s Ibiza basket bag

A LOOSE, AIRY SKIRT

If you’re more of a separates sista, a lightweight cotton skirt worn with a slightly oversized, short-sleeve shirt is a good option in the heat. I haven’t actually gone down the route of a rechargeable hand fan just yet, but I have seen them on the tube quite a lot this week so I guess they must be useful. Probably better than wafting your face with a tatty copy of the Metro. I have never been more grateful to live on the Liz line, though – fully air-conditioned all the way AND they have phone charging points in every carriage. Take note, Piccadilly line – you need to seriously up your game. 

1. Monsoon Luna Floral Embroidered Shirt
2. Messy Weekend  Square Frame Sunglasses
3. John Lewis Handheld & Foldable fan
4. Mango Ramie pleated skirt
5. AMI Raffia Large Tote Bag 
6. Arket Knitted Ballerina flats

A BIT MORE LINEN

Because, as we’ve established, it is THE best fabric for right now. A white linen shirt should be in everyone’s arsenal. In fact, I think I’ll do a whole post next week on the versatility of a good white shirt in the summer. 

1. Boden Sienna Linen Shirt
2. Missoma Zenyu Fan Small Hoop Earrings
3. H&M Seamless Padded soft bra
4. Loewe Anagram reversible leather belt
5. Mango Striped linen-blend trousers
6. Staud Moon leather tote
7. Merit shade stick lip gloss
8. Fracap Zoe Leather Sandals 

I hope that, wherever you are, you get to enjoy the sunshine.

K x