Desperately seeking structure – how to sharpen up your summer style
Photos: Claire Pepper
Phew! This is the first day I’ve felt cool in about a month. I’m not going to bore on about the weather, I’m sure you’ve had enough of the great heatwave of 1976-blah, already. Thank heavens for some rain, the country looks like a dust bowl and it’s abundantly clear that our infrastructure simply can’t cope with relentlessly high temperatures. Having resorted to holiday clothes at home, my high summer wardrobe is looking as frazzled as the grass in our local park. After weeks of wilting in the heat and feeling a bit crumpled around the edges, it’s no surprise I’m craving a little sartorial structure, again. And yes, it has been hard to keep my cool, even with a burgeoning iced coffee habit…
What is needed is to shift things away from exhausted holidaymaker to business creative, is an outfit with both the waft factor and the work factor. Clothes to help me feel pulled together and productive. In search of something easy-breezy, timeless and elegant, I turned to the trusty shirt and skirt combo. This is a classic ensemble that should not be overlooked. The aim to look as effortlessly cool as the late Jackie Kennedy Onassis and present day Carolina Herrera . The patchwork, midi skirt loaned from Toast is a cracker (still available HERE). Worn with a cotton poplin shirt, a pop of colour and proper sandals. Job done.
Freedom of movement is important, whatever the season. Even though I have previously said that I’m bored with the voluminous buffet dress, on days when a fitted waistband feels like a rib-crunching corset, I’ve been wearing this wafty Cos number. (No longer available, bought in the sale earlier this summer). The roomy silhouette, crisp cotton fabric and lovely shade of indigo blue make it easy-to-wear and easy to move in. This is one of those versatile dresses you can pull on and forget about. I’ve worn it for work, travel and rooftop drinks – and in my book, that makes it a winner. I know many TNMA readers aren’t fans of billowy summer dresses, and if you don’t want to pump up the volume, I would always recommend a shirt dress for a bit more shape and polish. Stay cool.
More summer structure here:
STYLE NOTES
First outfit: I bought the blue tuxedo shirt from the Uniqlo J+ collection (earlier this year). Patchwork skirt loaned from Toast. Nappa leather, yellow cross body bag loaned from sustainable brand Hopeful London. My own Ancient Greek Sandals.
Second outfit: my own Cos dress jewellery and Ancient Greek Sandals.
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Discussion (20 Comments)
Thanks Mrs Tonia, the Toast skirt is a beauty – it’s a bit expensive though & doesn’t seem to be going into the sale. The same effect can be achieved with a printed fabric or DIY. I keep looking at the Jigsaw dress, so thanks for the head’s-up.
bev says:
I just checked the Toast website – £325!! If the gods are with me, it might go in the sale??
lizzie g says:
The outfits look great and strong colour seems as much a need as structure in this crumpled and faded summer.
I have a problem with some new cotton poplin these days though. It often seems to come with added stretch which makes it hot (and sticky), or the close weave is unforgiving for sweat stains, especially in more fitted shirt dresses. Breathable fabric isnt only a summer issue. Fluctuating temperatures, exterior, interior or biological is a year round issue to plan wardrobes for.Shirlie Briers says:
Love the shirts and shirt dresses.
About to raid the other half’s wardrobe!
Shirlie Briets
Rach with an E says:
That’s a good idea – post Covid, they’re not worn much, I’ll pair with a lovely wax print skirt I bought from an Etsy seamstress. It was about £30 and well made – with pockets too!
Julia says:
Great article, I love your outfit. Have to say though I’m sad with how expensive Toast has become. I have several items in my wardrobe which have stood the test of time but their prices are beyond me now. Now I just look at their styling and find similar elsewhere. Still happy to pay for quality but I think their clothes are overpriced now.
In fact I’ve just bought the White Stuff denim skirt for half the price of one from Toast!
Mrs Tonia says:
Julia I agree with you. I used to buy Toast dresses half price at the concession within my local John Lewis. They are some of my favourites to wear. That concession. And that of Jigsaw disappeared post Covid. Now sale price Toast garments don’t appear in their boutiques even. Online and unavailable to try on before a potential purchase. I like the ones I own because they were good value for reasonable quality.
Teresa Barnard says:
Here in the Highlands we have had constant rain and cold weather since the end of May. I can’t remember the last time I went out without my waterproofs. However, I have taken note of your lovely late summer ideas in the hope of better weather next year.
MARY ONEILL says:
Thankyou for all the lovely versatile clothes showen here. Giving me lots of ideas. I live in Malawi this article was useful. Thankyou Mary
Scots Dumpy says:
I love, love, love the Kemi Telford dress – but I am only 4 ft 9ins tall ( size 12). Gentlewoman style is hard to achieve at this height! Trousers – impossible.
I love your style, but I wonder, if, as a one off, you could please feature elegant, Gentlewoman stylish clothing for short, (but not tiny, bird- like) women? I can’t be the only one.Julia - aka 'Welsh Dumpy'! says:
You certainly aren’t the only one! I have unintentionally lost a stone this year, but will never be considered ‘bird like’. Even ‘Petite’ clothing (and is it my imagination or are there much fewer ‘Petite’ ranges available these days?) clearly isn’t made for the likes of us! My bugbear is inseam pockets – they are nearly always down near my knees! Luckily I do dressmake and don’t have need of a large wardrobe these days, otherwise I really don’t know what I would do.
I am totally with you in wanting to wear something slightly more structured as the last couple of weeks it’s been what/where is the coolest, floatiest dress in my wardrobe!
I absolutely love the first outfit and think it’s just beautiful but the price… Of course, the title of my blog is a bit of a giveaway! Yes, rather like another commenter I am sad that Toast has gone well beyond my price range – even the sale prices. I used to go many times to the original Toast shop in Wales when visiting a relative and I know their clothes are quality items. And I love that skirt. But phew, it’s way beyond my purse. Never mind I shall look for a substitute as the look is good – thanks 🙂
Kate Burles says:
I’m 5’3, but have v short legs and a long body so I always worry that lovely full skirts will down me. I look at the full, long skirts and dresses & then just say ‘not for me’. After seeing your examples maybe I will give them a go. They are gorgeous. Thank you.
Rebecca says:
I love Toast but I only buy it on eBay now. Much, much better value, and many are brand new items. Plus, the occasional fabulous bargain. It is sometimes a slight gamble – particularly given Toast’s famously erratic sizing – but measurements are given, and I have enough pieces now to be able to guess fairly well. So far, no disasters. Like other commenters, I would be priced out entirely otherwise.
me too – ebay can be a rich source of Toast items and I am being ‘sustainable’. Toast new prices have become prohibitive for me now.
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Absolutely love the first outfit with the Toast patchwork skirt on you Alyson. Smart and arty in one plus it looks comfortable for when it isn’t so sultry and sleeves can be worn. Many other attractive and wearable garments and sandals shown here. I own the green checked Jigsaw dress which is a lovely fabric and fit though near ankle length on me. I also have several similar shirt dresses, a checked gingham cotton dress and blue striped oversize shirts. What I like about that straighter silhouette is that it can be worn loose about the hips and waist or belted or worn with a sash belt or scarf.
Thanks for ever useful suggestions of how to dress for comfort with style.