In a few short weeks the sun will be back, and it will be time to retire the winter warmers to the back of the wardrobe again. Your waterproof boots, thick coats, scarves and hats will be switched out in favour of much lighter pieces as the weather warms up and we all start spending more time outside. If you’re already thinking about what you’re going to be wearing over the next few months, here are a some things to bear in mind.
Fund Your Fashion
We all love new clothes, and a change of season usually means giving the wardrobe a much needed revamp with a shopping spree. But buying all new outfits a few times a year can be extremely expensive, and so finding ways to finance your fashion is crucial if you want to stay in budget One option would be to sell things you no longer wear, you can then use the funds to buy new clothes and get to have a declutter in the process. You could use an app like Depop and sell items individually, or create bundles and sell them as job lots on eBay. Thrift stores can be home to some real gems- things like designer items, clothes that have hardly been worn and rare pieces are often found in second hand places. You probably won’t be able to get your whole winter wardrobe this way, but it’s worth having a browse inside on a regular basis and seeing what’s there. Checking out sales is another way to save yourself some money too, this will of course allow you to snag items for much less than the RRP. A good tip is to follow your favourite stores on social media, that way you will be be first to hear about their sales.
Buy Staple Pieces
Your staple pieces will make up the main bulk of your outfits. If you choose well here, you’ll have lots of different variations but without having to spend a lot of money on tonnes of different items. For men it would be things like lightweight trousers, shorts, t-shirts and light knit tops or long sleeve t-shirts for slightly chillier days. For women it would of course be trousers, shorts and tops with the addition of skirts and dresses if you wear them. Either way, the trick here is to go with relatively plain items, and if you can, go with a complementing colour palette. That way you can easily mix and match with everything in your wardrobe giving you a different look every time. You can dress things up or down depending on the shoes, jacket and accessories you put with them. Don’t forget dressier pieces too, if you’re invited to a wedding or other formal event you will need the right clothing to wear. You can get things like multibuy shirt offers from TM Lewin and other similar stores, and for women there are lots of inexpensive formal gowns on sites like eBay. There have been disaster cases with some dress shops like this, although hundreds of thousands are made every year with the bulk of customers being happy and satisfied. Read the reviews and ask the seller to send photos of actual items, don’t just rely on the stock pictures.
Add Accessories
Everyone needs a good pair of sunglasses, they’re practical and well as stylish. They protect your eyes and the delicate surrounding skin from the sun’s UV rays and are all in all a summer staple. The tricky thing about buying sunglasses is it’s important to get them right, they need to be the right size and shape for your face and structure. What this means is you need to go into a store and try a load on, you can’t really just chance it and buy a pair online that you like the look of .If you already wear regular glasses it will be a little easier as you will have a good idea about what kind of style suit your face. Otherwise you would need to try on lots of pairs on next time you’re out shopping. Another stylish yet practical accessory for the summer is a hat- great for keeping the sun out of your eyes and protecting your hair and scalp from burning. If you’re quite casual, a simple baseball cap will do the trick. Otherwise you could experiment with fedoras, tilleys and straw hats amongst others, these styles will look a bit smarter. A hat can help to bring another dimension to your outfit, and help you to show off your style. A bag is another useful accessory for summer. Since most of us spend much longer outdoors, we need something to keep our essentials in. Money, keys, water, sunscreen, that kind of thing. Whether it’s a day out at the beach with the family, a music festival with friends or a holiday or on a mini break, a good bag will get you through. A rucksack is an nice, casual option, it’s easy to wear, comfortable with plenty of room. Crossbody messenger style bags are another option for both genders, they’re useful for keeping your possessions close to you. That way there’s much less risk of getting pickpocketed or your bag snatched as it’s attached to your person. Check out some different styles and see what would work best for you.
Invest In A Statement Watch
Nothing defines your spring and summer outfit more than a statement watch. If you’re going for a simple spring or summer vibe, you can finish it off with a larger, bolder watch to complete the look without going overboard. If you’ve already got a patterned summer shirt on, you can wear a simple piece to add a touch of class to your wrist. A statement watch is a show of your own personal style, a way of showing to the world who you are. Check out this page for Rolex Submariner for sale, especially if you’re looking for a bold typeface and a range of colour options. You can style your watch by choosing a metallic or natural strap, a small or large face, bold numbers or a sleeker, more minimal option- the choices are endless. Match it to your look or create a clashing contrast to show off your statement piece. If you want the style but can’t match the price, go for pre-owned options to look great without breaking the bank.
Fantastic Footwear
Finally, you need the right footwear to finish off all of your outfit. Lightweight canvas pumps, sandals and flip flops are easy choices for both genders. If you choose a neutral colour they’ll go with everything in your wardrobe so you’re not having to buy tonnes of shoes just for this spring and summer. Lightweight shoes like this generally don’t last very long, so it’s better to keep it cheap, go with fun trendy styles that you enjoy and throw them away at the end of the summer when they’re worn out. Don’t forget a pair of smart shoes to go with your dressy outfit, that way you’re covered across all bases for all occasions.
Have you started shopping for spring and summer yet? What sort of things are you looking forward to wearing in the coming warmer months?
Photo c/o Dior