Give a Brit a cold winter's day and he or she will excel at dressing for it, with a nice combination of chunky knits, cozy accessories and stylish boots. However, during heat wave season we often melt into a crumpled, sunburned mess. Summer dressing doesn't have to be difficult - it actually requires fewer clothes! - but we can lose our heads amid the excitement of ice cream and sunbathing.
Looking good while soaking up the sun isn't essential, of course, but it's as much about how you feel as how you look. Having the right outfit will undoubtedly make Mr Whippy all the sweeter.
Here are the seven style mistakes we Brits make all the time, and how to overcome them.
Men who think it's okay to go out without a t-shirt
The problem
Sorry to leave you out here, guys, but this one's for you - unless you're at the beach, being confronted with a sea of hairy boobs in the park/on the street on a hot summer day can be quite startling. Perhaps this complaint stems from jealousy (after all, it takes a very brave woman to have the nerve to beat the heat by going topless). This seems to be a particular preference for British men, some of whom feel like the season hasn't really begun until they've shown their nipples to the world.
The solution
Very simple: keep your shirt on unless you are in the comfort of your own garden or on the beach. A thin shirt or light-colored T-shirt should keep you quite cool.
Guildford shirt, £95, October editions, rest of the outfit, from a selection at Octobre Editions; Cotton T-shirt, £18, John Lewisrest of the outfit, from a selection at John LewisCrumpled linen from head to toe
The problem
Linen shirt, £35 And boyfriend shorts, £27.50 both Marks and SpencerIt'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 sidestep the whole idea of 'staying cool'), you'll be out of it within five minutes of putting on a linen outfit look like a crumpled mess.
The solution
There's a certain charm in a rumpled shirt or wide-leg trousers, but combine the two and an outfit that was supposed to exude effortless elegance quickly turns into a vision of unattractive, threadbare chaos. Instead, try pairing a linen garment with something more structured, such as a denim skirt or shorts, or a cotton blouse for a more balanced, polished effect.
Underestimation of the temperature
The problem
The moment most of us see a 'heat wave' or a number above 20 looming in the weather forecast, we switch to light fabrics and fine layers, but others seem to exist with the blinders on. This week I've seen people staying true to tights and wool coats, while others around them wear sandals and sunglasses. How can they not faint from overheating?
Linen maxi dress, £495, Mini dress, currently £36 down from £90, Bottoms AscenoThe solution
Whether your warm weather ignorance is due to the fact that you haven't picked out your summer clothes yet or you're a bit neat, there are ways to join in on the fun without looking like a scantily clad Love Island contestant have to go. A combination set for between the seasons would suffice: Kitri's palazzo pants and the optimistic green peplum top adapt to all temperatures.
Tire markings
Color Block Swimsuit, £150, Cossie + co; Swim shorts, £150, Love Brand & Co.The problem
Are you really British if you haven't experienced the horror of a very dodgy sunburn pattern that takes months to fade? This is a particular risk with the current fashion for dresses and tops that come with an intricate pattern of straps and cutouts, which opens up a multitude of opportunities for tanning mistakes.
Printed dress, £49.99, ZaraThe solution
If you want to try a look with some degree of geometric complication, perhaps choose an evening or day when you know you'll be in the shade. At all other times, opt for something that won't scorch strange patterns onto your body, like Asceno's crew-neck maxi dress - the flowy proportions will keep you cool, while some coverage on the neck and shoulders will help you get through the summer without feeling an embarrassing pattern appears on your skin.
Saggy old swimwear
The problem
If it's only sunny a few days a year, is it really worth buying new swimwear? Many Brits seem to believe that the answer to this question is a resounding no, judging by the threadbare clothing I've seen at pools and beaches in Britain, compared to the tight bikini/trunk wardrobe that most French and Italians for themselves seem to put it together every year.
The solution
Treat yourself to one truly luxurious and well-made piece of swimwear that will leave you feeling cared for and confident when you hit the water. If you invest a little more in the beginning, you will be rewarded with a guaranteed swim-chic look for years to come. For women, I recommend Cossie + Co, Hunza G, Youswim and Evarae, while men should consult Love Brand & Co, Orlebar Brown and Vilebrequin.
Goes too tight
The problem
Body exposure is a major consideration in summer clothing and everyone will have a different approach to it. Is someone right or wrong? Not exactly, but don't assume that you have to wear very tight T-shirts, dresses or trunks to look and feel good.
The solution
On the other hand, if you have a little more fabric and let it gently billow around you instead of pulling and squeezing every contour of your body, it will be much more comfortable when it cooks - think of it as your own air conditioning system. Zara and Toast have an excellent selection of light dresses, which will be much more comfortable than a bodycon.
Ridiculous shorts
The problem
Shorts seem to pose a particular challenge for Brits who tend to opt for very short and/or very tight designs. Fine, but not always the most flattering option. Some people avoid shorts for this very reason, without realizing that there are a sea of sophisticated versions out there.
The solution
My advice for finding the sweet spot for shorts 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 of space between your leg and the shorts. It's tricky territory, but if you tackle them right you'll have a friend to help you through the British heatwave days.
Taping stripe shorts, £69, Albaray; Linen blend shorts, £35, M&S
