I am aware that I will sound like a complete English cliché when I say this, but seriously, what has been up with the weather this week? I know we should have low expectations when it comes to the British summer, but the torrential downpours are making a mockery of the warm-weather staples that are patiently waiting in the wings of my wardrobe. It also doesn't help that I've got a growing list of summer events filling my diary now that lockdown rules are easing. I'll say this now: I refuse point blank to wear a winter coat to the wedding I'm attending in August.
In the meantime, I'll just have to make do with my imagination and the escapist capabilities of online window shopping. And of course, NET-A-PORTER is the first place I'll head. After 12 months of tracksuit bottoms and shearling slippers, I'll take any excuse to slip on a dress and fancy sandals, so these are what are primarily making up my current wish list. I typically like to balance out formal silhouettes with more casual styles, so my dream outfit lineup is an eclectic mix of paintbox brights paired with classic tan sandals, clean-cut linen minis elevated with wedge heels, and ditzy florals balanced out by raffia mules.
The brands at the top of my wishlist include Rejina Pyo, which can always be relied upon for a versatile occasion dress that feels smart but not too formal; Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, whose patchwork midi brings a modern spin to classic florals; and maybe a little Victoria Beckham, in the form of a show-stopping cut-out detail on a yellow maxi. The best thing? All these dresses can just as easily be dressed up with strappy stilettos as they can be grounded with a chunky flat sandal. Scroll down to see and shop my definitive edit of dress-and-sandal outfits I'll be daydreaming about until the sun decides to make an appearance.
1. Midi Dress + Chunky Flat
2. Floral Maxi + Colour-Pop Heels
3. White A-Line Dress + Tan Slides
4. Green Midi + White Platforms
5. Linen Mini + Espadrilles
6. Lace-Up Mini + Fisherman Sandals
7. Smocked Strap Dress + Raffia Mules
8. Long-Sleeved Floral Dress + Strappy Heels
9. LBD + Square-Toe Sandals
10. Cut-Out Maxi + Lace-Up Flats
Don't forget, there's free delivery on all orders over £200 at NET-A-PORTER and new customers receive 10% off with code FIRST10.
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