I’m calling it! It’s officially summer and whatever the forecast says, I’m going to be all British about it and wear what I want. That means pulling my favourite summer dresses out and have fun styling them in different ways. It really is all about what you put with your dress that will bring it bang up to date, the right accessories enables you to keep your dress-robe feeling fresh and modern. That can mean digging out old favourites while also investing in a couple of new bits to breathe life into your best dresses. I hope the below brings you plenty of inspiration.

Isabel x

THE SUNNIES

This really is such an easy way to refresh a dress, by adding a fun pair of sunglasses. I have owned the blue pair from Boden (image above) for over 4 years and every summer they are worn on repeat to give any outfit more colour. If a pop of blue or red is too much for you, consider more neutral tones like khaki or white which makes everything modern.

THE BAG

I can’t resist a raffia bag and I don’t think I’m alone in this obsession. While I admit I have quite a collection (you may have noticed in all the Pop Up styling reels) I do wear them non stop all summer long. The brown striped clutch by Sézane (image above) was a new friend last year and I can’t wait to wear again this season. Raffia is beautiful in it’s original colour and this is probably the best investment as it will go with most of your dress-robe, however, I do love a pop of colour for a holiday.

THE BLAZER

This is a fairly new discovery for me, styling my dresses with tailoring for warmer weather. I love the combination of a pretty dress with a well cut blazer, it gives the dress a great shape and feels lightweight enough for the summer. I have worn my blue Cefinn one non stop (image above) and highly recommend this style from them which comes in different colours. Again, if a pop of colour is too scary, go for neutrals or even a smart navy.

THE SHOE

I have probably had my biggest styling switch up in this department than anywhere else for summer. While I have lived in my trusted Birkenstocks for many years, they just feel a touch of date this season. I do love the oversized buckle version which look great with a feminine dress but my other ones have been quietly parked away for another year. Instead I am wearing Mary Jane’s as they really do make any dress feel ‘right’ this season. I wore them with pretty much every Pop Up dress for the shoots and they went with every style! There are so many options, with my personal favourites being this Boden shape (image above) and my Rothy’s (below) which not only tick every sustainable box, are also the comfiest shoes I own hands down!

THE STYLE INSPO