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Rain Or Shine: How To Dress For Summer In The UK
With the Met Office suggesting we might have the wettest summer in 100 years, we share our wardrobe essentials to get you through another unpredictable season in the UK.
Are we really heading for the rainiest summer in 20, 50 or 100 years? It’s a question that has been dominating headlines and circulating on social media for the past couple of weeks, with many sun worshippers left on tenterhooks to find out if we’ll be swapping grey skies for even more grey skies and heavy showers in the weeks to come.
ELLE UK reached out to the Met Office – the UK’s weather and climate service – to find out whether such suggestions of a wet British summer are true. According to the Met Office, it is impossible to forecast the amount of rain the UK will see over the summer period, despite reports from LBC stating that the Office had briefed the Government and transport chiefs to prepare for at least 50 days of rain in the next three months back in May.
If there’s one thing that’s true, however, it’s that the UK receives an abundance of showers, no matter the season, and there’s nothing worse than being ill-prepared with nothing but a sun hat and mesh ballet flats in a downpour (we know this all too well, believe us).
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So, in the case that we are inundated with heavy downfall this summer, we’re here to help you finesse your summer wardrobe.
From cotton and crocheted dresses to cropped trench coats and wool cardigans, there’s an autumnal feeling this summer more than ever, which means we'll likely be wearing an abundance of layers and knit . ‘For a rainy summer, dresses that are easy to layer with a lightweight knit, shirt or blazer are always a great option,’ says Louise Beardall, Women’s Contemporary Buying Manager at Harrods. ‘As the weather can be muggy with all the rain so opting for a dress will keep you cool.’ Also high on her recommendation list – a Simkhai midi dress, with a fitted bodice that turns falls into a pleated skirt (perfect for the warmer days) or a trench coat to elevate your look and keep you dry.
For those looking to pair back their outfits on a rainy summer’s day, Beardall advises swapping sandals for some ballet pumps or loafers, and completing the look by adding a cap.
Here are 10 pieces to see you through this unpredictable summer:
As per Beardall's recommendation, this Simkhai dress is both comfortable, chic and the perfect length for the colder days. Its 100% cotton composition not only makes it breathable but the perfect basis to layer with a shirt or a cashmere sweater.
Elevate your denim collection with this Haikure Swarovski denim jacket. The silhouette is a nod to the Noughties: with a dropped shoulder and low chest pockets, this isn’t your average throw-on-and-go piece.
Knitwear isn’t only for the winter period. Crochet tops and dresses were dotted across SS24 runways, and denim powerhouse FRAME, is also tapping into this trend. This monochrome crochet dress is playful (and warm) enough for a mild day in the UK.
Add some fun and a little bit of colour to your autumnal summer wardrobe with this high neck tank top. This unique piece is part of a collection by Kazuki Tabata, a Japanese artisan, that pays homage to the traditional craft of Japanese shibori, a tie-dyeing technique.
Many outfits have been sacrificed because of a (much needed) jacket. However, this shacket from Seventh Stores, a London-based luxury streetwear brand loved by celebrities including Little Simz and Kaytranada, is perfect for blocking out the chill and adding a cool flair to your outfit. The unique magnetic buttons allow you to seamlessly button up the front, creating a sleek finish.
One of the most hailed sneaker partnerships of all time, Adidas Originals has teamed up with menswear designer Wales Bonner to create a series of fun sneakers. When there’s threat of heavy downpour, this canary yellow sneaker is great for staying dry and chic.
This utilitarian midi cargo skirt is perfect for the days when you want to go hands free (and bag free) this summer. It’s a fun lightweight skirt inundated with pockets and elongated buckled straps, allowing you to play around with the shape and silhouette.
A staple that should be in every bag, is a 100% lamb's wool cardigan. Whether you’re in a chilly air-conditioned room or it’s a windy summer’s day, this wool cardigan is designed to add a layer of warmth to your outfit.
Boho-dressing is hot this season. Come rain or shine, this off-the-shoulder bubble top is perfect for the summer months. The added rouching detail makes this an easy piece to transition from a busy day in the office to dinner in the evening.
In the case of heavy showers this summer, staying dry is key. This lightweight, waterproof and cropped APC trench coat is a wardrobe essential. It’s part of the A.P.C. x Natacha Ramsay-Levi collaboration, which was released in March (and is now on sale!).
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