The seven fashion mistakes British people make during a heatwave – and what to wear instead
Give a British person a chilly winter’s day and they’ll excel at dressing for it, pulling together a lovely combination of chunky knits, cosy accessories and stylish boots. Come heatwave season, however, we often melt into a crumpled, sunburnt mess. Summer dressing shouldn’t be hard – it even involves fewer clothes! – but we can lose our heads amidst the excitement of ice creams and sunbathing.
Looking good while enjoying the sun isn’t essential, of course, but this is as much about how you feel as how you look. Getting your outfit right will undoubtedly make that Mr Whippy all the sweeter.
Here are the seven style mistakes we Brits make all the time, and how to conquer them.
Men thinking it’s fine to go out without a T-shirt
The problem
Sorry to single you out here, men, but this one’s for you – unless you are at the beach, it can feel like quite the eyeful to be confronted by a sea of hairy chests in the park/on the street on a hot summer’s day. Perhaps this complaint comes from a place of envy (it would take a very brave woman, after all, to have the audacity to beat the heat by going topless). This does seem to be a particular penchant for British men, some of whom feel the season hasn’t really begun until they’ve bared their nipples to the world.
The solution
Quite simply, keep your shirt on unless you’re in the comfort of your own garden or on the beach. A thin shirt or lightly coloured T-shirt should keep you quite cool enough.
Guildford shirt, £95, Octobre Editions, rest of outfit, from a selection at Octobre Editions; Cotton t-shirt, £18, John Lewis, rest of outfit, from a selection at John Lewis
Crumpled head-to-toe linen
The problem
It’s hailed as the ultimate cool-and-breezy summer fabric, but unless you have an assistant with a steamer following you around (which would rather defeat the whole “staying chilled” idea), within five minutes of donning a linen outfit you can look like a crumpled mess.
The solution
There’s a certain charm to a wrinkled shirt or pair of wide-legged trousers, but combine the two and an outfit that was supposed to signal effortless elegance quickly turns to a vision of unappealing, frazzled chaos. Instead, try pairing one linen piece with something more structured like a denim skirt or shorts, or a cotton blouse for a more balanced, polished effect.
Linen shirt, £57, Arket
Linen shirt, £35 and boyfriend shorts, £27.50 both Marks and Spencer
Underestimating the temperature
The problem
The moment most of us see “heatwave” or any number above 20 looming in the weather forecast, we switch our mindset to light fabrics and delicate layers, but others seem to exist with the blinkers on. Just this week I have seen people who remain wedded to tights and wool coats, while others around them are in sandals and sunnies. How are they not fainting from overheating?
The solution
Whether your hot-weather ignorance is down to not having dug out your summer clothes yet or you’re a bit nesh, there are ways to join in the fun without going full scantily clad Love Island contestant. A transseasonal co-ord would do the trick nicely – Kitri’s palazzo trousers and peplum top’s optimistic pop of green will adapt to all temperatures.
Top, £125 and trousers, £165, both Kitri
Silk shirt £250 and trousers, £230, both Asceno
Strap marks
The problem
Are you really British if you haven’t suffered the horror of a very dodgy pattern of sunburn that takes months to fade? This is a particular risk with the current vogue for dresses and tops that come with an intricate pattern of straps and cut-outs, presenting a myriad of opportunities for tanning errors.
The solution
If you want to try a look with some level of geometric complication, perhaps stick to an evening or day when you know you’ll be in the shade. At all other times, opt for something that won’t sear strange patterns onto your body, like Asceno’s round-necked maxi dress – the waft proportions will keep you cool, while some coverage on the neck and shoulders means you’ll get through summer without an embarrassing pattern appearing on your skin.
Linen maxi dress, £495, Asceno
Mini dress, currently £36 down from £90, Boden
Saggy old swimwear
The problem
When it’s only sunny a few days a year, is it really worth shelling out for new swimwear? Plenty of Brits seem to believe the answer to this question is a resounding no judging by the threadbare togs I’ve witnessed by pools and on beaches in Britain compared to the sleek bikini/trunks wardrobe, which most French and Italians seem to curate for themselves each year.
The solution
Treat yourself to just one really luxurious and well-made piece of swimwear, which will make you feel pulled-together and confident when you hit the water. If you invest a little more at first, you’ll be rewarded with a guaranteed swim-chic look for years to come. For women, I rate Cossie + Co, Hunza G, Youswim and Evarae while men should consult Love Brand & Co, Orlebar Brown and Vilebrequin.
Colour block swimsuit, £150, Cossie + co; Swim shorts, £150, Love Brand & Co.
Going too tight
The problem
Body exposure is a key concern with summer dressing and everybody will have different approaches. Is anyone right or wrong? Not exactly, but don’t assume that you have to wear really tight T-shirts, dresses or trunks to look and feel good.
The solution
By contrast, having a bit more fabric and allowing it to billow softly around you rather than cinching and pinching every contour of your body will be much more comfortable when it’s boiling – think of it as your very own air-conditioning system. Zara and Toast have an excellent selection of wafty dresses, which will be far more comfortable than a bodycon.
Printed dress, £49.99, Zara
Dodgy shorts
The problem
Shorts do seem to present a particular challenge to Brits who have a tendency to choose very short and/or very tight designs. Fine, but not always the most flattering option. Some people avoid shorts for this very reason, not realising that there’s a sea of sophisticated versions out there.
The solution
My advice for finding that shorts sweet spot is to go long but not too long and loose but not too loose. Think just above the knee and with at least an inch or so of give between your leg and the shorts. They’re tricky territory, but get them right and you’ll have a friend to see you through British heatwave days galore.
Ticking stripe shorts, £69, Albaray; Linen-blend shorts, £35, M&S
