Love isn’t cancelled! After a year of uncertainty and heartbreakingly postponed big days, weddings are slowly but surely filling our calendars again and we couldn’t be happier to celebrate with our nearest and dearest this year. Besides wearing white and anything likely to upstage the bride (big no-no), dressing for a wedding is one of the best excuses out there to bag yourself a new outfit and go all out in contrasting your well loved loungewear- RIP joggers, you won’t be missed. 

Whilst it may feel that there are endless choices in the wedding attire department, dress codes and sticking to the well worn tracks of pastels, florals, silk and tailoring mean you can’t stray far wrong in dressing appropriately for the big day in question. If you have multiple celebrations to attend this summer, consider renting a ‘fit that you otherwise might not be able to justify purchasing outright (FYI you can check out our previous post for the details) or opt for a two piece suit that you can mix and match in the future. Attending a wedding might leave you feeling pressured to buy something shiny and new for the occasion, but if the Klarna emails are piling up then consider opting for a cotton dress that can be worn more easily day to day layered with a t-shirt, or a classic slip dress design that will be in style for decades to come. 

Which outfit are you saying I do to this season?

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

The Tesco fridges are ransacked of Pornstar Martini cans, your skin is constantly sticky with SPF and the faint ‘it’s coming home’ chants can be heard far and wide from pubs up and down the country- yep, you guessed it, the heatwave is HERE! After possibly the longest winter of all time in which you’d be forgiven for entirely forgetting what a full dose of Vitamin D felt like, the sun is out and it feels bloomin’ fantastic. There’s nothing like a forecast of pure sunshine and good vibes to make you realise the U.K. ain’t half bad after all, and you best believe we’ll be soaking up every last bit of sunshine and pub garden Pimms we can get our paws on. 

Add a bucket hat and your fave sunnies and you’re officially picnic/beach/beer garden/mini golf ready!

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

Okay hear us out. When you think of crochet, the image that springs to mind might be of a holey, ill fitting piece that your grandma proudly created but has been sat at the back of your wardrobe for 3 plus years, but it doesn’t have to be this way! The warm weather is now upon us and with that comes fun and fresh trends that may feel a little ‘out there’, but crochet is here to stay for summer ’21 and we’re here to tell you it’s worth your time…

Festivals and travel might be off the cards or still feel totally foreign this year, but nothing screams Coachella more than a crochet co-ord, and regardless of our attendance to said coveted festival you best believe our summer outfits will be on par with the Extraness of the stateside event. 

Crochet is far from dowdy, and the likes of Kylie Jenner are proving so, recently seen rocking a Natalia Fedner knit dress on a tropical getaway that screamed effortless sex appeal and va va voom. The boho style is perfect teamed with messy, undone hair, oversized earrings and paired back accessories, letting your outfit do all the talking at whichever social occasions you’re flitting between during this season of fun, fun, fun. 

Sweater vests took Instagram by storm over the winter and crochet feels like the warm weather extension of this, allowing you to layer thin knits and playful designs for some extra warmth and style points whilst looking trés cool doing so.

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

Let’s be real, Cottagecore never really left the special place it found in our heart’s back in 2020, but the trend really does show no signs of slowing does as whimsical puff sleeves are IN right now. Whilst last summer you were wafting around the house twiddling your thumbs and wondering how many takeaways was too many takeaways, this time around you can waft OUTSIDE, with friends, and look fabulous doing so! 

Dreamy pastels are normally never far away when it comes to puff sleeves, as their romantic, feminine feel is a match made in heaven with the likes of an Easter egg colour palette- add in some gingham and you’re really onto a winner! Having said that, brands such as Rixo who favour a more statement colour wheel also nail puff sleeve drama too, proving the trend need not be exclusively for those who drool at the sight of pastel pink everything upon entering the shops. 

Serving peak bottomless brunch realness, keep scrolling for the creme de la creme of puff sleeve offerings!

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

Dream wardrobe incoming: one scroll of the & Other Stories website and boom, your basket is full, you have 5 packages en route and your bank manager is on the phone wondering what the f*ck is going on. Their irresistible combination of design influences from Paris, L.A and Stockholm means they nail new-in, on-trend yet classic styles every time, and you can shop safe in the knowledge that you can’t go far wrong where & Other Stories is concerned. 

This week the team are running you through their favourite ‘add to basket’ picks as the dreaminess of June 21st approaches and hugs, kisses, parties and picnics become the new, ‘new normal’. Insert all the heart eye emojis.

Charlotte

& Other Stories isn’t usually my go-to shopping destination (as much as I would love it to be, alas the price point says otherwise) but their site is a dream to browse and the Scandi ‘fits make my heart skip a beat. I love the simplicity of their clothes and how effortless they feel, which is one thing that drew me to these linen shorts which I think are such a summer essential. I’m a sucker for all things pink, hence my other two picks which are tres beautiful. I’m gearing up for beach season and a solid bikini you can rely on and hair clip to shove up your sun cream filled strands is must, and the colour of this one is so lovely.

*And Other Stories, Cropped Knit Top, £45

*And Other Stories, Glossy Mini Hair Grip, £8

*And Other Stories, Drawstring Shorts, £45

*And Other Stories, Fitted Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, £55

*And Other Stories, Seersucker Bandeau Bikini Top, £27

Danielle

& Other Stories isn’t the most size inclusive brand but what they lack in that department they make up for with very well made accessories and beauty products. I always feel like getting their products is a bit of a treat and you get what you pay for as it certainly lasts longer than most high-street brands. I’ve chosen some fun summer accessories, the perfect beach tote with a scarf to tie on for a bit of spice, cool cat-eye sunnies, a pretty shell bracelet, lush heeled sandals to dress up a casual beach dress and I’d love to give this face and body highlighter a go for evenings on holiday.

*And Other Stories, Large Woven Straw Tote, £55

*And Other Stories, Angular Cat Eye Sunglasses, £23

*And Other Stories, Heeled Leather Square Toe Sandal, £85

*And Other Stories, Seashell Pendant Chain Bracelet, £13

*And Other Stories, Colour Block Printed Satin Scarf, £29

*And Other Stories, Face And Body Dew, £27

Darcey

And Other Stories aren’t the most inclusive brand and so I struggle to buy anything from the waist down from there a lot, but they have a lot of very cute tops and being a C cup means I get to enjoy these ha! I’m obsessed with cropped shirts at the moment and they have a lovely wrap around one. Also, they are so good for accessories and especially handbags! I am loving these orange squared sunglasses, they are perfect for Summer.

*And Other Stories, Boxy Knit Tank Top, £45

*And Other Stories, Buttoned Tie Detail Crop Top, £55

*And Other Stories, One Shoulder Top, £35

*And Other Stories, Croc Embossed Leather Shoulder Bag, £120

*And Other Stories, Rectangular Frame Sunglasses, £27

Holly

There are so many pieces I love on & Other Stories at the moment. The clothes don’t tend to go up to my size but I have chosen this dress which I absolutely love and it’s flow so I think I could get away with it. The accessories are where my heart lies though, so many beautiful pieces and the best quality.

*And Other Stories, Curved Open Hoop Earrings, £17

*And Other Stories, Puff Sleeve Jacquard Mini Dress, £95

*And Other Stories, Square Neck Technical Bodysuit, £29

*And Other Stories, Linen Hair Scrunchie, £8

*And Other Stories, Short Leather Crossbody Bag, £165

Lareese

If there’s one thing Stories does well, it’s wardrobe staples and accessories so I’ve loaded up on all my summer essentials from padded duvet sandals to linen sets. I’m a big fan of their beauty range too – the whole collection smells insane, it’s a pretty good price point and the branding is gorg. I haven’t tried the face and body dew yet so that’s going straight in my basket because ya girl is 30 now and she needs all the help she can get in the glow department.

*And Other Stories, Padded Strap Leather Flip Flops, £85

*And Other Stories, Linen Drawstring Shorts, £45

*And Other Stories, Short Sleeve Shirt, £55

*And Other Stories, Floral Embroidery Underwire Bra, £29

*And Other Stories, Gingham Seersucker Swimsuit, £55

*And Other Stories, Sicilian Sunrise Eau de Toilette, £28

*And Other Stories, Face And Body Dew, £27

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

The summer months bring colour and freshness to your evening dinner plate, and the same can be said for your wardrobe too! As the weather warms up (please universe) and fake tan gets topped up with a real one, the urge to embrace bold, primary colours increases along with the fun and flirty vision that’s forced into hiding during the season of jumpers and boots. And what screams Italian vineyard or English orchard during a heatwave more than the humble fruit print?! Appearing in bold and statement prints or smaller micro nods to the trend, the variety of ways to rock fruit print mean the possibilities for summer outfits are truly endless. 

Which pieces are going straight into your basket?

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

Although jeans and a nice top is a pretty fail-safe go-to, sometimes finding the perfect outfit combination requires a little too much concentration when you’re running out the door and an espresso martini is calling your name. Enter: the humble co-ord. A perfect two piece, a pre mixed cocktail if you will, the one you can always rely on when time is short and the style stakes are high. Whether it’s a trip to big Tesco (a 10/10 day out) or a bottomless brunch with the girls, there are co-ords from dressed down to dazzling that fit every occasion. 

Which two piece do you have your eye on?

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

Did someone say Marmite fashion coming through? Ohh yes they did! You either love it or you hate it when it comes to some fashion trends (cycling shorts and low rise jeans we’re looking at you) but Dad sandals ain’t budging for the summer season ahead and this week’s edit has the best of the bunch …

Chanel offers the creme de la creme of chunky sandals, but if you don’t want to be stuck eating beans on toast for the rest of eternity then keep scrolling for the best high street dupes …

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

It’s been a longer, colder, more dreary winter than maybe any of us have ever experienced, but as the days tick by and the layers of knitwear slip away, swim season is finally within touching distance and god are we glad of it! Whether you’re a sea, lake or pool swimmer, there’s something totally exhilarating about the first submersion into the water below as your mind becomes focused and the day’s troubles melt away. And equally, if the contents of the British sea or a chlorinated pool don’t appeal, dipping a toe in and retreating to the sand or sun lounger offer equal magical, mindful benefits that life has been deprived of thanks to the panoramic and winter months. It’s time to seize the summer!

Of course we’re all naturally prepared for Hot Girl Summer because we are in fact Hot All Year Around, but if you fancy adding a little spice to your beach or pool life then a new bikini or swimsuit is all you need to conjure up flame emojis galore. Feeling comfortable in your swimwear is the goal, as walking around in essentially waterproof underwear is always going to be a bit of a confidence challenge, so finding a style and shape that work for you is key! From high waisted to thong bottoms, underwired to triangle tops and the classic all in one swimsuit there’s a lot of choice out there, but once you find your ‘thing’ you’re set for summer seasons aplenty. 

Bookmark your beachwear looks of choice and get ready for the impending heat (we’re looking at you!).

*This post contains ad-affiliate links