Fancy(ish) Pieces for Summer

Sometimes, the hardest occasions to dress for are those in-betweeny ones. They’re not heading-to-the-pub-casual, nor are they put-your-best-frock-on-for-a-wedding-fancy. I’m talking about a nice dinner out for a special celebration — a birthday perhaps, or a big promotion that you’ve been working hard for — an evening out at the theatre, or a daytime event that requires a little extra zhush.

So, I’ve gathered my favourite pieces from the internet that can work in lots of different situations. And because I’m a big believer that accessories and a few styling tweaks can be as effective as a new piece of clothing, I’ve included an edit of those too.

I recently got this T-shirt and skirt duo from Soeur*, and it’s proving to be a very easy yet effective outfit when I want to take things up a notch. They’re both made from 100% organic cotton, so they’re comfortable to wear and create a really nice silhouette when paired together. Just add your favourite jewellery and you’ve got an easy look that will work for the office and for drinks afterwards.

Liza Belmonte first alerted me to House of Dagmar's new collection, and it’s a goodie. I was immediately drawn to this top, with its voluminous fit and gathered sleeves — it’s the perfect blend of minimalism and impact-making. Wear it with a stack of cuffs on the wrist, and either the matching trousers or bottoms in a contrasting colour, and you’re good to go.

Amayi is a London-based brand that creates limited-edition pieces, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. These trousers are 100% silk and feature a hand-drawn patchwork print. I love a statement pair of trousers, because they can do a lot of heavy lifting. Go for a co-ord like the one in the image above, or tuck an oversized white shirt into the waistband when you want to tone things down a little. Both work equally as well.

A good top can be all it takes to make a good outfit a slightly fancier one, and that includes a not-so-humble cotton shirt. This one from Dries Van Noten (currently 50% off) has a high neck, ties at the back that can be left loose or whipped up into a bow, and long, statement cuffs. Simple, straight-leg trousers and flip-flops or flats are all it needs. And maybe a bold lip.

I love a versatile piece, and this 100% silk dress does a lot in the multi-styling stakes. Button it all the way to the top, and you’ve got a neat, tailored dress. Unbutton it, and you’ve got something a little looser, a little sexier. Its loose, flowing fabric makes it perfect for layering over trousers (I like the idea of it with these), but it works just as well on its own.

If you live in the UK (or somewhere with a similar climate), there’s a high chance you’re going to need a good cover-up wherever you’re off to this summer. This one from Chan Luu is made from 100% cotton organdy (a sheer, lightweight fabric) and is embellished with curled sequins. The best bit? This is really a hero piece, so the rest of the outfit can be very simple — a loose black dress, perhaps, or simply a black tank and trousers. Note that for orders outside the US, customs and taxes are not included.

Soft, pleated, high-waisted, tapered… these trousers, made from voile, are perfect for slinky summer evenings, and are special enough for those occasions when you want to make a bit more of an effort. Wear with a long black or white top, barely-there sandals, a little silk bag, and a long necklace.

There’s a lot you can do with an oversized dress. Wear it as shown with a big necklace, hair pulled back into a low bun, and a soft bag tucked under your arm. Or get creative with layers — the volume of it means there’s plenty of space — with slinky cupro trousers underneath, and a light taffeta coat on top.

I shared this dress in my linen edit last week, and honestly, it’s too good not to share again. I recently added it to my wardrobe, and I can already see it being a staple this summer: a classic shift that can be worn in multiple ways (get your usual size). Wear it on its own or layer it over the matching cigarette trousers for a little more coverage. Then, get creative with jewellery. A big cuff or a brooch would work wonders.

There’s nothing quite like floaty, 100% silk to make you feel like you’re wearing something fancy(ish). From Róhe, these navy trousers have a wide leg and an elasticated waistband (hellooo comfort), while the earthy brown top has a loose fit and a scoop neck. A dreamy colour combination and an easy, low-effort look. Just add jewellery — this necklace from Monica Vinader is similar to the one in the image above.

A good pair of statement earrings can take a simple black dress from an everyday basic to a piece that’s worthy of a special date in the diary. This pair is made from coconut wood and brass; a nice blend of zhush and organic summer textures.

I love a piece of jewellery with a bit of texture, especially for summer. It feels a bit more easygoing, less polished, which suits these warm, carefree months perfectly. This necklace is made from 100% recycled gold vermeil and is inspired by the tiny shells and stones found on the shoreline. There are also matching earrings, bracelets, and rings.

A cord necklace with a colourful pendant can do a lot to lift an outfit — especially when it peeks through the open collar of a shirt, like in the image above. Wear it with a linen shirt and trousers and a colourful bag, and you’ve got an outfit that’s effortless but very effective for dinner dates.

Like a colourful necklace, a big cuff (or stack of cuffs) can do a lot for a simple outfit. I love resin for summer because it feels a touch more organic and relaxed, but gold looks beautiful on a sunny day, too.

Proof that you can dabble in florals in summer, without having to wear a flowery dress. This ring is inspired by a calla lily and fits across two fingers, making a real statement. This with a shift dress and sandals? Summer perfection.

I got this cuff last summer, and I loved how it looked on a bare arm — and how it gave my black dresses a much-needed lift for evenings out. It’s an easy addition to “regular” outfits, but totally effective when you want to put a little more effort in.

I don’t often wear heels these days, but at 1.25 inches, this pair is very wearable — and gives just enough lift on trousers that are a touch too long, or dresses that could do with a little height. The espresso colour is a nice alternative to black, and will go with everything, too.

Barely-there, simple sandals that are perfect for an “occasion” (fancy or otherwise) because they’re so sleek and in chocolate brown, they go with everything. I actually wore these for my wedding last year (minus the silver embellishments), and they were incredibly comfortable — even at 2am on the dancefloor.

I love a colourful shoe. If you’re more of a neutral dresser, it’s the perfect way of bringing another dimension into a look, which works particularly well when you want to make a bit more of an effort. This pair is made from supple leather and, though pricy for flats, is very well made and comfortable.

I’ve had A. EMERY’s Jalen sandals for a few years, and have worn them with everything and everywhere — the quality suede makes them feel special enough for dinner, drinks, garden parties and the like. This pair is a slight update on that style, in a deep forest green colour that would look striking against off-white.

Yup, another pair of colourful ballerinas, but they really can do a lot — plus, this light blue shade feels fresh and cool for summer; the perfect pairing with black, grey, navy, white, red, brown… you name it. This pair is made from supple Italian nappa leather and made by hand in Tuscany.

This bag can be worn on the shoulder, cross-body, or by hand; the slinky chain is removable. It’s elegant and smart without being too “occasion-y” like a clutch bag, and its dark brown colour means it will go with everything.

Whenever I feel like my outfit is missing something, I’ll try it with a little scarf around the neck. It’s a good way to add colour, texture, and a little print, turning what could be a seemingly basic outfit into one that you’d happily rock up to the theatre in. This one from TOAST is a mix of mustard and light blue, so it’ll jazz up black, white and navy no end.

For evening events, you might want something a little extra to keep the cool night air off. I have this cashmere wrap* and I’ve found myself draping it over shirts and bare shoulders when the temperature starts to drop. It’s made from a silk-cashmere blend, so it feels delightful to wear, plus it’s not too thick or heavy. It’s not just functional either — wrap it around your shoulders and pin it in place with a brooch, and you can completely update an outfit’s silhouette.

I love a raffia bag in summer, but for special-ish occasions, sometimes you want something a little more refined. This crescent moon bag from Strathberry ticks both boxes. It has a sculpted silhouette and gold hardware, taking the classic raffia up a notch, and yep, it’s big enough for phones, keys, wallets, and your favourite lipstick.

A great bag can do a lot to make an outfit more interesting, and this geometric ‘Wonton’ beauty from Yuzefi will certainly be a talking point. It’s handcrafted from nutmeg-coloured suede and has a structured base so you can pop it down without it flopping about.

Like the cashmere wrap above, this 100% silk cape is an easy way to add a light layer and mix up your outfit’s silhouette. Pop it over a black dress or trousers and a tank, and you’ve got an elegant look that will work for loads of fancy-ish occasions. It also comes in navy and black, if cream isn’t really your thing.

Any items marked with * have been gifted by brands. All thoughts, picks and reviews are my own.

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