How not to dress like a mum – summer basics part one

With summer edging slowly in, it’s time to dig out your sandals and think about picking up some new outfits for the (hopefully) long and hot days ahead. But what should you buy?

A few weeks ago, we revealed how not to dress like a mum. Now, fashion stylist Karen Skagerlind picks out five summer basics and shows you how to pull them together into stylish outfits to help you feel confident and ‘put-together’, whatever the occasion.

Our five summer 2014 basics

With a bit of clever shopping, you can build a number of fantastic outfits around as few as five key wardrobe basics. And, for summer 2014, these are my fave picks:

When I am helping clients rework their wardrobes, I always show them how, with just a few key items such as these they can create a number of looks – dressing simple pieces up or down to suit different occasions.

And now, over the next couple of weeks, I am going to give you a few ideas of how you too can put together some comfortable and stylish (and definitely not mumsy!) looks from each piece.

How to wear a white shirt two ways

Most of us have a well-cut white shirt somewhere in our wardrobe (and if you don’t, I recommend buying one as it’s an incredibly versatile piece). Here are just a couple of ways you can work your white shirt – dressing it up for the office, and putting together a more relaxed look for working at home or meeting a friend for lunch.

White shirt – work outfit

To dress your white shirt up for the office, team it with geo print culottes and a classic heeled court shoe. Inject a flash of colour with a fuchsia tailored jacket.

White shirt – relaxed look

If you’re planning a more relaxed day, ditch the jacket and instead layer a Breton top over your white shirt. Team with a pair of boyfriend jeans and sandals with details, for a relaxed but polished look.

Start building your summer wardrobe today

And that’s it – one shirt, two ways! It’s a simple example of how buying wisely with classic pieces can help you to build several stylish looks with a pared-down wardrobe.

So if you’re heading to the shops this afternoon, add my five summer basics to your list, and over the next few weeks I’ll give you a few ideas of how to build a number of looks around them.

By Karen Skagerlind of Wardrobe Wand.