By Helena Reeds, Third year, Neuroscience
The Croft Magazine // As the warmer weather approaches, Helena provides us with the ultimate guide to summer dressing to help us celebrate in style when exams come to an end!
- Gingham
Indeed 2021 is the year for checks over stripes. Perhaps we are being inspired by the abundance of picnics that are being planned at the moment, or maybe we are just bored of the classic striped dresses – but this summer we will be seeing checked dresses everywhere. Gingham in bright colours, pastels, large checks and small checks have been seen all over Instagram and have made their way onto the high street. If you want to invest in this trend, go for one of Sleeper’s maxi iterations.
For those on a budget, ASOS has a great dupe!
2. "Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking…"
Before you give me a Miranda Priestly style lip pursing, hear me out! This summer, instead of tired ditsy prints, we will be seeing an upgraded, nouveau florals. A more abstract print, reminiscent of the 60s and 70s has made its way to the high street and has been seen on every fashion blogger. Personally, this top from & Other Stories and this sweater vest from Lisa Says Gah are at the top of my summer wish list.
For those of you who love a statement, any Hawaiian themed hibiscus printed clothing is seriously on trend. Both this sweatshirt from Gimaguas and this dress from House of Sunny perfectly embody this trend!
3. ‘Ugly’ shoes
We love a debatable trend here at The Croft, and this might just be the most polarising one we’ve had all year! Crocs have been popping up everywhere on my Instagram feed at the moment and you can see them being worn by influencers like Olivia Neill and Flossie.
Personally, I own a pair of platform crocs and I think they look adorable with a summer dress. Another shoe from our childhoods has also made a comeback and it’s the platform flip flop! However, I don’t think this trend will last more than a season, so grab a pair from the high street in a bright colour. This pair from ASOS will do the job!
4. Fisherman Hats
Bucket hats have been a summer staple for years but are slowly being taken over by their older brother…Fisherman hats. Oversized brims in bright prints have taken the fashion world by storm this season! These hats make a great accessory to any summer fit and also protect your skin from the sun - a win-win for all! This hat from Lack of Color is my personal favourite!
5. Puff Ball Dresses
Prepare yourself for some serious shoulder action this summer. Exaggerated, puffed sleeves have been a dominating silhouette for several years and this summer is no exception. Whilst we saw a more gothic take on this trend during the Autumn/Winter season, a lighter and more feminine version has made its way to our wardrobes for the warmer months. My favourites at the moment include this jacquard number from & Other Stories and this blue mini dress from Beginning Boutique.
6. Crochet everything!
The 70s are back and in full swing with catwalks seeing a resurgence in crochet. Crocheted dresses, tops, bags, headbands…. you name it – they’ve crocheted it! To partake in this trend I recommend sticking to an item with a colour scheme to avoid looking like the yarn wall at Hobbycraft. All crochet is done by hand so it’s important to support local small businesses like this one on etsy.
If you want to low-key embody this trend, opt for a market style crochet tote to replace your bag for life at Sainos.
So, what will you decide what to wear this summer!
Featured image: Epigram/Morgan Collins
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