Of course we love these trousers - they’re striped! The colour combination is perfect; striking without being too ‘jazzy’. Of course, you could pick up any of the colours in the fabric for your top half but to keep the look a little more restrained, we went for cream. Keeping the top half all one colour (be it cream and white) lends a chic vibe but to prevent it looking too ‘blocky’, we’ve mixed the textures. Raffia bag, cotton jacket and linen shirt.

Of course it does not have to be these specific items of clothes, this principal works for a myriad of different patterned or ‘statement’ trousers - and skirts for that matter. Keep the top simple by pulling out one of the colours in the pettern and sticking to that hue. Often it works well to pick up either the background colour (for example here it is cream), or one of the less dominant colours - this way, the overall outfit tends to look more subtle.

For these particular trousers, the vertical stripe elongates the leg and the shirt worn un-tucked, negates any potentially unflattering creasing around the tummy. This linen shirt is fantastic as it is the perfect length to be worn tucked in (as mum did in our previous post here) or left out. It’s so good it’s basically sold out - sorry! However I love this colourway too and I suspect that COS will restock the white, so keep your eyes peeled.

It is transpiring that a lightly padded gilet jacket is the most useful piece in our wardrobe this summer. Worn over a base layer or under another jacket, it represents the ultimate on/off layer! This particular one is by a lovely small brand called Lacuna Child. The brand started with childrenswear after its founder Carole had her first grandchild, but more recently she has started designing womenswear pieces too.

For any of you that have been following us for a while, you will know that I love a good jacket! Such a great way of effortlessly completing an outfit. This sand colour has been very popular this season. It represents the perfect ‘summer neutral’. Light and bright but simple enough to be worn with most outfits. It is by the Spanish brand Indi & Cold. They have the prettiest selection of clothes but with a ‘coolness’ about them. The cut of the garments prevents the collection from becoming too girly.

Another lovely sustainable brand is Beaumont Organic. This t-shirt is hands down the softest cotton I have ever had the pleasure of wearing. The (inverted) triangular shape works so beautifully with the triangular shape of the culottes, balancing the outfit perfectly. The cap sleeves of the t-shirt coupled with the high round-neck lends a cool, sporty vibe.

The culottes have an elasticated waist which doesn’t tug too tight (sitting more on the hips than the waist) and the cotton is so lightweight that it almost feels like you’re not wearing anything! Comfy and elegant - that’s a combination that I can get on board with.

Lastly, I want to mention the bag by Muuñ. I LOVE it. Being made of straw, I am yet to find a summer outfit combination that it doesn’t go with. It’s perfect because it is neutral without being boring.