So as totally tempting as it may be, I am desperately trying not to look at anything wintery until at minimum September when Soleil goes back to school. I spend most of the winter months yearning for warmer days, and sunny summer evenings, so I am trying my very hardest not to be shopping for winter clothes and wishing for something else while we have this glorious weather, you know – living in the moment and all that. I am not saying it is easy, every time I peep at the new season knits and coats I am totally tempted (and I may have made a few sneaky AW purchases)….but for now summery dresses it is….besides its still August, I still have 2 holidays to go on, plus I feel that for the last few years our summers have been getting longer, hasn’t it been pretty warm into October?….
Its no secret which my favourite online store is – I simply LOVE Net-a-Porter, it’s a site I refer to almost every day on my insta…..my go to to site to view the new arrivals and look at the trends, and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning I love to stalk the “whats new” pages. For me when it comes to a luxury online store, its Net-a-Porter all the way – not only do they have the most exquisite selections, I love the customer service, and the quick same day delivery in London means that basically I can get something to my door, quicker the going to a department store, which is obviously ideal when you have children and are permentantly on the go. But besides all this, I have a sentimental attachment to the group. Before I had Soleil, I used to model for net-a-porter – I was there throughout all my IVF and eventful pregnancy and I was there sucking in my pregnant tummy until I was 20 weeks pregnant..so I always think back on it with such happy memories. I was one of the headless models that wore the clothes for the site, I started way back when they very first started to use live models and I always say it was the best modelling job ever – I got to try on and shoot on all the new clothes before they went live…I like to say it was good for my bank balance, but who am I kidding – I spent every penny I earned (and more) on items I fell in love with.
Anyway enough of that, as I was saying as far as I am concerned it is still summer, so wanted to do a post on my favourite new season holiday looks……. high summer only hit the stores in the last few months, so it won’t be going on sale any time soon – so here are my favourites.
I totally fell in love with this Zimmermann dress, all ruffles frills and romantic, plus polka dots, which are always a favourite of mine….I also love that you can play around with the neckline for a different look – plus I would totally wear this in the winter also layered over a polo neck jumper and some grey knee high boots.
I love a black dress in the summer, I am all for colours, florals and pastels but there is nothing more chic than black in the summer – such a striking look, this Alice Mccall dress is one fo my favourites, I adore the squarish neckline and the beautiful embroidery detail to the top, and it fits perfectly with a cinched in waist and kick at the hem to give the most flattering silhouette. Worn below with some fabulous Etro earrings
Another look that I love is the embroidered dress – I started wearing this trend back when Vita Kin first launched, and this trend has gone from strength to strength… they don’t seem to date so again you can wear them year after year, Innika Choo does the most beautiful embroidered and smocked dresses and this pink one is just DIVINE, I also have the green one which I have worn and worn, but the pink dress below is so cute.
I bought the yellow version of this striped Zimmermann dress last winter and have worn and worn it – its that dress that every time I wear it, I get stopped by people asking where its from. I love this brown stripe version which is exclusive to ~Net-a-Porter looks fab with the voluminous style…again I think this style is one I will be wearing for years….it can be worn a few ways you can either tie it at the front like a belt to cinch in the waist or you can wear it tied at the back for a looser look.
As you can see I am totally loving all things Zimmermann – I adore this Zimmermann Melody dress and again I know that this is a divine dress for summer – but I can totally see this worn with boots in the winter looking fabulous
I couldn’t not include this Rosie Assoulin dress which is another exclusive to Net-a-Porter ….the candy stripes – this back is something else, and the front it totally gorgeous too. I love fabulous back details to a dress – this is truly sublime.
Ulla Johnson always makes the prettiest dresses, and this Ulla Johnson Brigitte dress is another piece that could be transitioned easily from Summer to AW with a pair of boots and tights, or over a polo or blouse. it has a corseted waist which is super flattering, helping you have curves in all the right places. Worn here with my The Row Coco mules, which I think are the perfect shoes for summer and AW.
My favourite summery dresses
My favourite accesories
And just because I can’t help myself – a few of my new season favourites
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Photography by Vicki Adamson and Shaun James Cox