The ultimate summer style guide for women – with Alice Hare

How to dress for a British summer’s changeable weather

That’s why looking to homegrown brands like Schöffel Country is always a good idea when planning your wardrobe for a British summer – they understand this need for flexibility. Clever layers that can be added and discarded as quickly as Rupert Campbell-Black’s girlfriends (final Rivals reference, promise), clever fabrics that are breathable in the heat yet warm come evening (or a June that feels more like a February). Dresses and tailoring that, accessorised the right way, look perfectly at home at formal events, but dressed down, will be wardrobe heroes pulled out again and again.

Where to begin to create this so-far-elusive and mythical hard-working summer wardrobe? And how, clever pieces sourced, to utilise them to their full potential? Step into my office. (Sidenote: despite the hot water bottle currently in use at my desk, I am mightily relieved I am out of what was my ‘office’ for the day on Schöffel’s summer shoot – the boat you see in some of the pictures in this article. Seasick does not come close).

How to build the perfect women’s summer dress wardrobe

The Head Prefect of summer dressing, its very epitome: enter, the dress. There’s an ease to a dress in summer: it’s a throw-on-and-go outfit-in-one. The new Jasmine Dress answers all my warm weather dressing dreams. Breathable, loose-weave cotton and a babydoll shape (something about the word ‘babydoll’ offends me but that is this shape’s fashion dictionary name, alas) mean optimal airiness when it’s hot. No sticking to your seat in this. Unrivalled waftiness, while the fluttery broderie details on the sleeves add interest. In other words, style and substance.

If that’s not enough, the Jasmine perfectly embodies the flexibility required when facing the changeable climes of a British summer. She looks as at home in a heatwave (or abroad on holiday) by herself as she does on a cooler day with the Filey Cardigan over the top. (The Filey’s shorter, boxy cut makes her perfect for wearing with dresses as it means you don’t drown out the shape of the dress’s waist). And the Jasmine demonstrates flexibility in form as well as function: pair her with some suede deck shoes by day, and a smarter espadrille by evening.

The also-new Daisy Linen Dress offers similarly pleasing levels of versatility. Paired with flat sandals and a basket she’s perfect for pounding the pavements when sightseeing on holiday, while with a raffia kitten heel and clutch you’re aperitivo-ready. And when you land back home, out comes the Filey Cardigan again. Easy.

Tennis, cricket and nautical style: British summer fashion trends

I am a staunch supporter of thematic dressing. By that, I mean that at Christmas some of my outfits might be said to approach North Pole elf; at Easter, Mini Egg-esque pastels are order of the day. There’s something joyous in dressing to align with the aesthetic of concurrent events. This summer, thematic dressing means two things: tennis and cricket-core, aligning with Wimbledon and the cricket season. Luckily, Schöffel has both themes firmly covered. And even more luckily for someone who shudders at the thought of even beach rounders, you need neither the forehand of Federer nor the cover drive of Ben Stokes to participate.

The Hambledon cricket vest can be worn with the Cley Oxford Shirt underneath and Poppy Jeans, or as a standalone top by itself, half-tucked into the Lily Skirt. (The Hambledon Vest also comes in jumper form ready to withstand even the blusteriest of Norfolk beaches). A pair of socks, pulled up out of classic tennis plimsolls (Gola and Superga do the best) add the ultimate sporty finishing touch. Oh, and I added a white bow to the end of model Melissa’s French plait in homage to the look Chris Evert wore to compete at Wimbledon in 1971 (if you’re not familiar, look it up immediately for a masterclass in classic sporting style).

In a similarly thematic vein, there’s always a place for Cowes-inspired nautical style as part of a British summer wardrobe. The Sandown Sweatshirt riffs on the classic Breton – the striped jersey that originated as French naval uniform in the 1850s. (Fun fashion fact for your next pub quiz: its 21 stripes are alleged to have represented each of Napoleon’s victories). The Sandown adds modern, stylish details to the classic – think a funnel neck with luxe tortoiseshell buttons and a contrast inside collar and cuffs. Its premium jersey cotton fabric features added stretch for ease of wear and comfort – put to the test by our model Sarah as she emerged from below deck and navigated the top deck’s ropes with ease during our shoot below. (I, meanwhile, was deep breathing and dreaming of land while trying to dress the models without vomiting).

Summer occasion dressing made simple – what are ‘separates’?

There’s something particularly painful about spending a small fortune on an outfit for a smart summer event, all for it to be worn once before being relegated to the back of the wardrobe forevermore. The secret to avoiding this? Look to separates. Styled together as a statement-making set, they pack a punch for garden parties, smart BBQs and evenings on holiday, while offering a myriad of casual and slightly warmer outfit options when worn as separates.

I’m particularly excited about the new Henley Linen Blazer, which can be paired either with the matching Daphne Shorts or Daphne Trousers for a look that perfectly balances the smartness and sharpness of tailoring with the laidback elegance of linen. And herein the hardworking appeal of these pieces: the blazer, perfect with either of the matching Daphne bottom halves as an occasionwear look or on holiday, will work equally well dressed down with jeans and ballet flats for running errands at home, Princess Di lady-about-town style.

The Daphne Trousers, as our model shows, are relaxed enough to be paired with even swimwear for lazy pool days on holiday. And with the Elsworth top and smart accessories, they occupy somewhere smart casual that’s in-between.

The shorts, for their part, just need the Salthouse Linen Shirt atop for summer style suited to coast (see: the idyllic Norfolk town that is the shirt’s very namesake), country and city alike. Quite the triple threat.

Creating a women’s summer capsule wardrobe that works from home to holiday

These are pieces that straddle the demands of a tumultuous British summer with those of a holiday abroad with ease. The phrase ‘day to night’ dressing is clichéd, but there’s an appeal even in clichés when packing for a holiday and travelling with an airline that seems to think its passengers should be limited to a suitcase of a size more suited to a Polly Pocket than an actual human being.

Likewise, the phrase ‘capsule wardrobe’ has become somewhat overused and stale, conjuring images of a boring wardrobe consisting of solely white t-shirts and beige jumpers. Remember those traditional toys where you could spin around the bottom and top halves of a wooden person, mixing and matching their outfits each time with thrilling ease? This is that, IRL-edition. A hardworking summer wardrobe need not be boring – au contraire, in fact. With that in mind, whether your catwalk is Mauritius, Morston or just the aisles of Morrisons, go forth and fashion your hardest this summer.