If, like us, you've felt a gentle, nudging sense of wanderlust creeping in, it can only mean one thing: Summer is upon us. We're currently refining our summer wardrobes with the sunnier days and balmy evenings in mind, and more specifically, we're carefully planning what to pack for a well-earned trip. Scrolling through Instagram has given us a whole host of inspiration for where to go on our summer travels, but just as important as settling on the location is narrowing down an extensive wardrobe to a concise capsule of summer essentials. Thanks to NET-A-PORTER, the job just got a whole lot easier.
NET-A-PORTER's NET SUSTAIN initiative is a specially curated edit of consciously crafted fashion and accessories, so you can shop some of your favourite brands knowing that they have met NET-A-PORTER's ethical criteria. Whether locally made, recycled, cruelty-free or produced with a significantly reduced environmental impact, this is the shopping edit that both looks good and does good.
Amongst the mix of well-established designers like Zimmermann and Stella McCartney are new brands like Caes and Deiji Studios, and we've searched through the newly updated drop of over 1000 items to bring you the ultimate holiday edit, with everything from sunglasses to swimwear to shorts to summer dresses. Scroll on to solve your wardrobe worries with a concise capsule of everything you'll need this season.
1. The Summer Dress
Light and airy dresses are synonymous with summer. This instant outfit not only keeps you cool, but it looks good while doing it. The archetypal summer dress is a mix of mood-boosting colour, breathable fabric, and a classic shape you'll want to want to wear time and time again. So consider these striking dresses worth the investment.
This doubles as the ideal option for a wedding-guest dress, too.
A romantic broderie-anglaise maxi made from lightweight, organic cotton-voile for a supremely floaty silhouette.
We're ready to trade in our LBDs for a LWD (long white dress) as soon as summer hits.
Every wardrobe should have a baby-doll mini this good when the heatwave hits.
It's impossible not to feel excited about the prospect of a summer spent in this sugary, lilac shade.
2. Keep-Cool Linen
No summer wardrobe is complete without a selection of linen dresses, tops, shorts or trousers to mix and match in the heat. So stay cool with these textured pieces, which are designed with comfort in mind and guaranteed to rekindle a love for linen.
Wrap dresses are our go-to for comfortable dresses that flatter your figure.
Never fear summer black. With a dress this light and billowy, you won't have to contend with clingy fabric.
It's time to retire the ill-fitting cotton pair you've held onto for years. Zimmermann has given summer shorts a beautifully detailed upgrade.
If you think this dress looks good from the front, you won't want to miss the tie detail and plunging back.
This bow-detail blouse proves that linen can be anything but the predictable plain white smock.
3. Sun-Seeking Shorts
Between striped, denim, cotton and lace options, there's a style of shorts for everyone to enjoy this bare-legged season. Whether you pair them with a chunky sandal on the beach or a strappy sandal in the city, now is the time to make the most of that free-spirited summer feeling.
Love this print? There's also a matching shirt if you want to double up on stripes as part of a cool co-ord.
Just pair these with the matching blouse or a clean white tank, and echo the calming blues and whites of summer in Santorini.
If you lived in jeans all winter, raise the hemlines in these comfy and classic cut-offs.
4. Stand-Out Swimwear
Dive into a colourful edit of swimwear that looks good both in and out of the pool. Expect halterneck, triangle and bandeau bikinis as well as some one-piece swimsuits that we'd wear under wide-leg trousers or midi skirts to go straight from the pool to dinner.
There's a reason you've seen Hunza G all over your Instagram feed. For the fashion crowd, it doesn't get more stylish (or comfortable) than this.
We just saw Jennifer Lopez in a black string bikini. Now we want a black string bikini.
Another reason to love Hunza G: The brand's signature stretchy seersucker is designed to comfortably fit most body types, so no need to stress over finding "the one."
We love the colour pairing of this mismatched bandeau bikini.
Matteau's take on swimwear is said to be "simple and considered." What's the result? This elegant and understated costume that wouldn't look out of place in the French Riviera.
5. Beach-Ready Accessories
Whether you're at home or on holiday, no outfit is complete without the finishing touches: accessories. From oversized sunnies to the sandal brands to know about, these are the pieces to buy to elevate your summer look.
It might not be an obvious beach bag, but this mini tote is big enough for all of your summer essentials and will work for the rest of the year, too.
All-black sunglasses might be the standard, but coloured frames and lenses are the future.
The people at Castañer are specialists in good-looking espadrilles that are gentle on your feet.
Jewellery trends might come and go, but a classic gold chain and pendant are timeless.
St. Agni's minimalistic slides are a lesson in refined style.
It's clear that Velvet Canyon draws inspiration from the '60s and '70s for its retro shades. Just add a silk headscarf.
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