Pictures: Matt Monfredi. Hair & make-up: Anna Durston
What’s your season? And I don’t imply that in a Color Me Stunning means. Extra of a ‘when are you happiest in what you put on?’ Chatting to one in every of my neighbours not too long ago, she commented, ‘ You all the time look good in your summer season clothes.’ How sort ( I used to be in Cos on the time). It’s so good to obtain a praise – however that’s one other characteristic. I thanked her and mentioned that I all the time really feel like summer season isn’t my most fashionable season. I’m way more snug in a uniform of denims and a shirt, or jacket. Spring and autumn are once I attain Peak Wardrobe Happiness.
Within the Guardian, a few weeks in the past, Jess Cartner Morley wrote a characteristic on the perfect summer dress. She categorised the totally different kinds of clothes and the kind of individuals who gravitate in direction of them. I laughed when it got here to the bit about shirt dresses and the abstract mentioned:
‘In case your most beloved summer season frock is a shirt gown, the reality might be that this isn’t, actually, your favorite season to decorate for. You aren’t the let-it-all-hang-out kind. You’ll be completely happy when September rolls round and you’ll unroll your knitwear and zip into knee-high boots. Till then, you’ll lean into crisp shirting… to point out you can do summer season. You additionally like sporting linen.’
That is true. Shirt clothes, tick. Linen, tick. And, summer season isn’t my favorite season. So. What I’ve been making an attempt to do that yr is to discover a scorching climate model of dressing that I’m snug with. Outfits that seize the best way I really feel in my denims, jackets and jumpsuits – slightly than settling for a second-best gown as a result of it’s too humid for the rest. This isn’t the best way to instil style confidence. Time to get my summer season model sorted. To switch my trademark TNMA look into an outfit that appears like me, on a scorching day.
How to do that?
Match is an important factor
I do know I repeat this advert infinitum… however match (in all senses of the phrase) is an important factor. Previous to this outfit, I attempted on a linen trouser go well with and striped T-shirt. It didn’t really feel proper. The trousers weren’t fairly slouchy sufficient and the entire ensemble felt a bit too neat, a bit like one in every of my Telegraph columns. It didn’t match my aesthetic or my physique.
Swap to a extra relaxed outfit, one in line with my standard look and I’m immediately happier. Informal and summery it has a ‘Lucinda Chambers en vacances at her holiday home in France‘ vibe that I like. The shirt is easy-breezy and the COLOUR is magnificent. The broader leg, seersucker cotton, striped trousers exchange heavier denims or cargo pants and add a bit jaunty-ness to the proceedings. Ditto Penelope Chilvers snazzy spin on the Birkenstock mule, and the beautiful, zesty orange leather-based tote. All of those parts come collectively to create a successful mixture.
Take a correct have a look at the garments that make you are feeling good
Both take them out of the wardrobe and place them on the mattress, or hold them on a separate rail in case you have one. What’s it about these garments that makes you are feeling completely happy and assured? Is it the color or the form? Is there a design characteristic you want? I like a Tremendous Shirt, I’m extra snug in non-crotch-bothering trousers with pockets and blue is my color – is it any marvel I really feel assured on this outfit?
Whose model do you admire?
Above, I point out Lucinda Chambers, the cool-as-you-like style queen who all the time seems stylish. If summer season isn’t your favorite season, clothes-wise, then take a look round at what other stylish women are sporting. Determine why it really works and if there are parts you possibly can adapt in your personal wardrobe. I’m not advising everybody flip right into a copycat – it’s vital to put on the shapes and silhouettes you are feeling snug in – however there’s no hurt in in search of inspiration after which possibly including a brand new twist to an outdated favorite.
Understand how you wish to look
Bear in mind the three adjectives! If summing up how I wish to look, I’d say ‘cool, relaxed and stylish’. The goal is to really feel snug in my garments – which is why shirt clothes are good as a result of I’m uneasy in something too faff-y or flouncy. I’d a lot slightly be pared-down and clutter-free. I wish to appear to be an elegant gentlewoman, all summer season lengthy.
A fast reminder you could store all my outfits by signing up to LTK – and there are many cool summer season items (I’d be completely happy to put on), in the TNMA SHOP.
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STYLE NOTES
Crinkle cotton relaxed shirt from NRBY. Striped cotton trousers, Jigsaw. Brazilian Stripe Mules, Penelope Chilvers. Leather-based tote bag, Mimi Berry (try the gathering, the totes are fairly fairly priced given their dimension and a few are within the sale, all made within the UK). All objects loaned for the shoot (although I’ll have held onto the tremendous shirt and trousers!)
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