I’m a Shopping Expert–These 5 Pieces Are All I Need for a Chic Summer

Summer is a time where many will flock to the beach or jet off to far-flung, exotic destinations but I have to say, my favourite thing about summer is how it enhances life in the city and the impact that ultimately has on my wardrobe. Sarongs and bikinis are all well and good, but I find the most compelling summer outfits are the ones you find blazing a stylish trail on the pavements. After all, these are the looks I’ll ultimately spend the most time wearing myself.

My current locale is Edinburgh—I moved here after spending the entirety of my 20s in London—and although it’s significantly smaller than the Great British capital, it boasts a very similar energy, particularly when summer rolls around. Doors are thrown open, tables are placed haphazardly on the cobble streets, music carries in the air and drinks are served well into the early hours. In the height of summer, the sun barely sets; instead, it casts a perennial glow that ushers everyone out of their homes and into the hustle. It isn’t a rare occurrence for me to leave home in the morning and not return until the final seconds before midnight; as such, my summer outfits always need to work for wherever the day may take me.

Handily, my tenure in the fashion industry has meant I’ve had a lot of practice in the art of outfit assembly, and summer presents its own set of considerations. Firstly, you need to think long and hard about the fabrics you choose; cheap materials will not be your friend when temperatures rise above 20 degrees. Then there’s cut to contemplate; opt for something too restricting and I guarantee you’ll feel start to feel uncomfortable as the day goes on. Of course, you’ll want your outfits to look stylish, too, and it certainly helps matters if you’ve got a core base of staples that fit these requirements and that you can rely upon whenever you need to look put-together. What I’m going to say next might surprise you; I believe you can look elevated for every occasion the city throws at you so long as you have five items to play with. That’s right, five. And there’s one brand that has mastered each one: White Stuff.

When I think of White Stuff, quality is the first thing that comes to mind. The British brand consistently shows up with impeccably manufactured pieces. From intricate seam work to the use of premium textiles, these are pieces that are built to last—something that's becoming rarer on the high street. I know if I buy something from White Stuff that it'll be in my wardrobe for a very, very long time, and that's reassuring. 

What makes this sentiment further ring true is the fact that, instead of being a follower of the trends, White Stuff has carved its own design signature, and all of its pieces are primed with the relaxed aesthetic for which the brand has become known. From faultlessly executed linen trousers cast in a palette of neutrals, blacks and blues (more on those later) to wardrobe heroes including denim jackets, tan sandals and jersey tops; these are the foundations upon which great outfits are built. That's not to say, however, that White Stuff only makes good on the basics; its statement, printed pieces are some of the most impressive on the market, loaning themselves perfectly to summer attire.

White Stuff may draw on inspiration from stylish people from around the world to inform its collections but it's here, in the heart of the city, where the summer edit truly comes to life. From market-day strolls to sundowners at dusk, I assembled a handful of chic outfits centred around my five favourite White Stuff pieces for the season ahead. Come with—let's take a stylish stroll around my neighbourhood. 

1. The Embroidered Dress

When it comes to failsafe summer styling, an embroidered dress simply cannot be beaten, and this White Stuff number is one of the best I've seen across both the designer and high-street shopping circuits. The black and white colourway ensures it'll never look dated, whilst the intricate details such as the button-down front and the needlework panel to the back make it feel all the more premium.

Matching my shoes to the tone of the stitching instantly pulls the look together. As for my other accessories, I always rely on my collection of basket bags during the summer months. 

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2. The Printed Shirt

When I want to look polished but don't want to spend inordinate amounts of time styling myself, I turn to an easy outfit formula: Wide-leg trousers and a standout top. So it should come as no surprise that this printed shirt was one of the first things I reached for when the sun broke through.

Worn unbuttoned or knotted at the hem, I like to offset the potential skin on show with some high-waist trousers. This linen pair has a clever elastic insert on the back waistband which ensures a perfect fit without any bunching—something I've found extremely difficult when it comes to my hourglass shape. It's attention to detail like this that sets White Stuff apart from the pack.

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3. The Lightweight Midi

2023 is the year of the skirt, with so many key styles coming through, from denim pencils to crochet maxis. Being on the petite side, I tend to gravitate towards lightweight fabrics that not only hang beautifully, but will also keep me cool when temperatures peak. Enter this White Stuff style, which features the kind of intricate print that's hard to find in this price bracket. The cotton material is soft and pairs perfectly with other textures, such as this failsafe denim jacket. Better still, this skirt has pockets—a major selling point, I'm sure you'll agree. 

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4. The Elevated Vest

This season, fashion has an appreciation for the vest top, the likes of which we haven't seen before. The vast majority of the summer outfits I've collated in my Instagram Saved folders centre around them, so my hunt for the perfect vest began. I'm busty, and finding a vest with straps that cover my bra is high up on my priority list.

Though this best-selling White Stuff Sea Breeze vest features a collarbone-framing V-neckline, it also provides coverage everywhere else I'd want, including my under arms, where my bra is usually still visible when I wear other vest tops. Paired with easy trousers in a co-ordinating colour, this is a look I'd gladly wear to the office, dinner out or drinks with the girls.

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5. The Tea Dress

Summer is the season where invitations to events seem to come through almost every week, so having a pretty dress on standby is key. My wardrobe is populated with tea dresses for this reason—they can be worn casually or more formally with the simple switch of shoes or a bag. Still, the moment I laid eyes on this blue style I knew I had to make some room.

Beloved by French women and fashion editors alike, the drop waistline gives this particular tea dress modern flair. The unfussy neckline allows for a statement necklace or earring moment, too. I've styled mine with a raffia clutch—a nod to the bag trend White Stuff is synonymous with—and metallic block-heel shoes. For a low-key, errand-running approach, I'd pair it with canvas sneakers and an oversized tote. 

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