It happens every year: as soon as summer begins to rear its colorful head, flowers, suddenly I can be at a loss of what to wear. Like Claudia Winkleman, who claimed to be “allergic” to the sunny months and was once “embarrassed” to brand summer clothes, I am not a summer person. I am very much a winter. Give me cozy nights by a roaring log fire, snuggled up in a roll-neck sweater and chunky boots, eating warm rhubarb and custard pancakes in an old-school British pub full of fairy lights and laughter. That’s my comfort zone, my happy place, where I’m meant to be. Long sweaty days in the field, bright pink strappy dress hitting my bright sunburned shoulders, God forbid playing some kind of ball game, not so much. Like Claud, I also have an edge. Summer is not just about us.
That’s why this year, I decided to do away with the annual attraction to become a completely different person with an unrecognizable style in the summer. So, to try and curate a warm weather wardrobe that feels like mine, I sent an SOS to Sinead McKeefry, the celebrity stylist behind Claudia’s most adorable looks. She always thought vampish, mostly monochrome, often sparkling Strictly Come Dancing get-ups, and the punked-up heritage chic Traitors outfits we all went crazy for in January (I wanted every single piece, but especially the edgy blazer + leggings + Doc Martens combos). If there was anyone who could give me advice on how to translate that wrinkled, gothic, jeweled slim to my fashion taste in clothes that won’t get me into a heat wave, it would have to be Sinead.
Fortunately, she agreed to help, as did Red Fashion Director Oonagh Brennan and Fashion Editor Jodie Dunworth (both of whom follow Claud’s aesthetic). So if you’re not-so-secretly looking forward to digging out your favorite faux fur coat and oversized scarf, you’re welcome. Here’s how to make a ‘winter person’ in the summer, and keep it chic at all times.
Don’t be afraid to wear black
I don’t know who decided that wearing black in the summer is weird, but three of the most stylish women I could ask for have now told me that it isn’t, so that one is ripped from the rule book .
“When I go to India, I immerse myself in the colors and the culture,” says Sinead. “Nobody would think the wardrobe I wear is mine, and it’s so much fun. I thought about wearing one of my Indian dresses to a wedding I’m going to soon, because I’d love someone to see someone walking down the street in one of these, I’d think ‘Girl, you look great!’ – but it’s not me so I know what to wear – and black is so chic in the summer.”
Oonagh also suggests embracing summer black but lightening it up by choosing broderie anglaise or linen and accessorizing with raffia. “Choose interesting silhouettes and necklines to give a bit of an edge, and embellishment for added interest.”
Make things tougher with your choice of shoe
When I was planning my wedding flowers with our florist, she told me her style was ‘pretty but ballsy’, which felt like the perfect description of mine too. That’s the approach Sinead takes, too. “It’s about mixing the femme with something more edgy,” she says. “If you find a girly pink dress that you love, consider pairing it with gladiator sandals, say, or a black leather cuff to offset it.”
She loves the Mint Velvet dress above in both black and white, with styled cowboy boots, as she’ll find a heavier looking shoe key to add an edge. “I’m looking for styles that Isabel Marant might do, something with buckles or chunky studs. I love the black leather Birkenstocks with the two straps and gold hardware.”
This summer, Sinead is pairing the brown sweater dress below (now on sale!) with gold Nike slides and studded jewellery. “For going out for drinks or going to the park, that dress with those shoes is really cool,” she says. “I love how blingy they are, they’re really quite wrong but it just works.”
Do not dismiss all prints
If floral feels too flashy (I don’t want to generalize, especially after falling in love with RIXO’s new rose prints, but I hate what I call ‘clear little flowers’), then expand your prints.
“Bold stripes are a great alternative to a summer floral print,” says Oonagh. “Look for black and cream, or chocolate – it’s having a big moment and is a great choice if you want something new.”
To lean into the boho revival, she recommends looking at Marant-style batik prints (Claudia claimed to be a fan of the French designer’s “total boho Parisian vibe”, and I’m quite another). “For a winning combo, pair a Western or Bohemian print skirt with a frilly white top and black leather Greek sandals.”
However, as Jodie says, “If you don’t like the print in winter, don’t try to push it because summer is here.” It might not be your thing – and that’s okay, of course. “Instead make simple subtle changes, such as adding one lighter color – say a great pair of skinny white or striped cotton palazzo pants, instead of wool or black. If you love brown, add in avocado green or soft lilac .Love the navy blue and white?
Go big on accessories
Sinead makes it clear that she is all about accessories, especially statement pieces, as they provide cross-seasonal continuity to your style. “I prefer the rotation,” she says. “Claudia bought me a really beautiful tan leather Hermes with a gold clasp so it gets me through every day of the year.”
For jewellery, favorites are Tilly Sveaas and Kirstie Le Marque – “they’re more expensive but you can wear them all year round” – while Claudia previously loved investment jewelery by British designer Solange Azagury-Partridge , especially the iconic ‘Love’ ring that her husband gave her.
Sinead is also a regular visitor to the Mint Velvet jewelery range (she has no commercial links with them, so this is true fandom), pointing out to me a chunky gold necklace with two chains and a pearl pendant, and a jangly matching bracelet . . “I have this one in my office, it’s amazing and it comes in cash too,” she says. “Get a sleeveless black T-shirt – I always think sleeveless looks cooler – with a round neck, not a V, and simply wear the necklace over the top. Swap in a polo neck for the winter.”
If you need a summer bag, Sinead shouts out this woven hobo style as an example of a simple design that is elevated by its subtle knot on the shoulder strap. “Think about the details and remember that things like this will really pop against black,” she says.
A final accessories tip? “I love to wear printed scarves around my neck, or tear them to tie around my wrists for that authentic rock ‘n’ roll look,” she says, praising Zara’s affordable options.
Get a fresh mani
Sinead is a strong advocate of the power of a fresh set of nails to lift any outfit – and no, you don’t have to go for summer pastels. “I really love a dark nail polish in the summer, like OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark midnight-purple,” she says, adding that she’s also a fan of the chic peachy pink bubble bath, corals and tones red hotter.
Buy clothes you can style transeasonally
Yves Saint Laurent was onto something when he famously said, ‘Fashion is dying; style is eternal’. I want my friends and family to be able to see something in a store and immediately think ‘So Jess’. Don’t see me in a new summer outfit and be ashamed of who on earth I am now.
So, suggests Sinead, make it a priority to buy new pieces that you’ll be able to wear properly, such as light dresses that you could also wear over a polo neck (she loves Cos’s fine knit ones) and under sweaters in winter, and a pair equally as well with sandals as with boots. “I love Rixo for these,” she says. “I have my eye on the Amina dress with its black lace neckline.”
If in doubt, get a uniform
Hot, bothered and just want to keep this summer’s dressing as simple as possible until the mercury drops again? Honestly, most days, the same – and Jodie got a great tip to finish. ‘Get a uniform,’ she says. ‘No matter how hard I try with city shorts or other trends, I always find myself returning to one easy formula: a maxi skirt and a tank top. I just update it every year to keep it feeling fresh (this season I’m loving big white skirts with butter yellow tank tops), and I’ll be crossing it with my favorite fail-safe maxi dresses. It makes summer dressing a breeze.’
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