Finally the wintery storm clouds and torrential rain seem to have come to an end. Summer has arrived!
Think hot blue-sky days, the smell of sunblock, bronzed skin, barefoot adventures and trips to the dairy for ice cream. Of course these activities simply cannot be completed without a stylish, cute summer wardrobe!
It was time for a full investigation into what's trending, before I jumped out to the shops buying things thoughtlessly. Eager to avoid micro trends, which might quickly go out of style, I wanted to spend my hard-earned cash wisely. Sleuthing through Pinterest became a daily ritual. All this “pinning" paid off perfectly - before I knew it, I had a list of must-have summer essentials:
Linen Pants and Shirt: Linen is a lightweight material which often comes in a variety of pretty, pastel colours. It has become extremely popular recently and I can see why. I love to wear jeans, but I just can't stand being hot and sweaty. Grab a pair of cool linen pants. I have some white ones from Zara and they go with absolutely everything. Even if they’re a bit see-through, it doesn’t matter if you have a bikini underneath. Oversized linen shirts are also a must this season, whether they be long or short sleeved. They are a very useful beach coverup and can also be paired with outfits on a cooler summer day. It’s such a practical wardrobe staple. I have a baby blue one, stolen from my Dad's wardrobe (I don’t think he even noticed, ha!) and it has the perfect oversized look. Denim on denim may be a crime... but linen on linen, NEVER!
Beaded Necklaces: Jewellery can be quite a hassle in summer months. Taking it off for a swim and putting it back on after a swim; you understand my dilemma. But for me, beaded necklaces are worth it. These decorative strands of colour are taking teen outfits by storm. The fact that you can easily make them with miniature beads and some elasticated string only increases the appeal. Since the necklaces tend to be a shorter length they work very well for layering, or doubled-up around your wrist. I’m building a collection of unique and different colour combos to coordinate with my outfits. There are countless small businesses on Instagram that sell these pretty creations so I encourage you to go check them out, or just make some yourself!
Bikinis: Swimwear is the absolute foundation of summer adventures. With all the beach and poolside action that goes on, plus a few tanning sessions, I often find myself glued to my bikini all day long. It is important to have enough pieces to mix and match, so you don’t have to resort to putting on a wet pair of bikini bottoms. Strapless is definitely having a moment in the spotlight. While these bikinis give you a chance to maximise your tan, they can be rather risky for frolicking in the waves! Thankfully most come with additional strings giving you much needed security and multiple styling options. There are many online possibilities but I always feel the safer option for bikini-buying is to head to stores, such as: NorthBeach, Amazon and Billabong.
Maxi Skirts: If shorts and pants just don’t appeal. Why not try out long, flowing skirts. The “maxi" seems to be on the rise for my generation and it is not hard to see why. I have been to various shops trying on these skirts and every time I slip into one I feel like I could run through a field of sunflowers. (It's a great sensation, the wind in my hair, the breeziness of the skirt, you get the picture!) Sadly, I have not been able to bolt out to a sunflower field yet, because I'm still on the hunt for the ideal skirt. The choice between a pretty pastel or a patterned sensation is what’s holding me up. Nevertheless, a long maxi skirt will be a welcome addition when I find my perfect match - it's such a pragmatic choice for pairing casually with a bikini top/tank, or formally with a lace camisole.
P.S. A good piece of advice is to start your hunt for summer fashion in second-hand/vintage stores.That way, you are more likely to find a hidden gem while leaving less of a fast-fashion footprint. (HONOUR MITCHELL)
#ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #family #friends #coxsbay
Published 3 December 2021