Here comes the sun: the definitive summer style guide

Great news: the impossible has happened. Following a winter that should surely go down in history for being the most protracted, most painful, and most profoundly perturbing on record, the sun is shining. Time to crack out the rosé, throw some sausages on the BBQ and spend an hour working out what you need to do to transport your WFH set up from the kitchen to the garden. (Tip: you need a privacy screen, an internet booster, and a tolerant boss.)

But what to wear now that the heat is on? As restrictions look set to keep many of us bound to UK shores this year, a summer wardrobe with a distinctly practical edge is essential – particularly if everyday life is going to continue when the mercury rises. From the perfect cool-down shirt to a dress to take you from picnic to pub lunch and beyond, here’s your summer style guide.

The most common misconception about hot-weather dresses is that you have to bare all to stay comfortable. The truth is, everything hinges on fabric choice. Seek out soft, lightweight textiles such as cotton or linen, and you’ll find you can experiment more with silhouette and structure. A billowy sleeve with a smocked neckline is the en point dress shape of the season. Add sandals, and you’re good to go.

A shirt is an excellent addition to your high summer dressing armoury: namely because it’s so versatile. Seek out oversized shapes and neutral colours and team with everything from long skirts to swimwear. For anyone navigating a stuffy commute or an office that’s lax on air-con, try a shirt worn tucked into a pair of tailored city shorts, and you’ll find the ultimate summer-in-the-city look.

The wearable equivalent to a light ocean breeze – or highly functioning air-con – ankle-skimming skirts are everywhere this season. Got somewhere to be? Dress yours up with a crisp white shirt and a sprinkling of gold accessories – oversized earrings are essential. Or for a day in the park, wear with lightweight gladiator sandals and a silk camisole or T-shirt.

Whatever your preference – from Bermuda to bicycle, paper-bag waist to print – there is a pair of shorts to suit everyone. It’s just a matter of figuring out what works for you. For fans of a laid-back aesthetic, all routes lead to denim – try slightly tapered shapes for a look that feels modern. If you’re after something more polished, a knee-length city short is your friend. Offset short-shorts styles with an oversized top or shirt.

The humble vest is a high summer failsafe – it’s just a case of finding the shape that works best for you. Having a silk camisole in your collection is never a bad idea – wear yours tucked into a pair of lightweight trousers for a ‘put together’ look that says understated elegance. A scoop neck vest is also a wise addition. Seek out super-soft fabrics – a linen mix is great – and opt for oversized fits where possible: this vest looks best when worn tucked in. Lovers of neutrals who are bored of black and white should explore summer basics in warmer shades of biscuit and caramel, which look excellent with denim.

The warm weather tends to ignite an insatiable demand for high-summer accessories. Indeed, it inspires plenty of us to panic-buy 12 new pairs of sandals we don’t need. So this year, why not slow things down by creating a capsule collection of pieces you’ll return to for seasons to come? A timeless pair of shades is a wise place to start, as is a baseball cap you’ll keep returning to for years to come. If you need a new pair of sandals in your life, seek out high-quality styles and shapes that will work with everything from your most-worn pair of jeans to the bikini of your dreams.