How to Dress for Indecisive Weather
So you want to wear a dress, but you also want to outwit the UK’s changeable weather. Liberty shows you exactly what to wear over dresses this season
By: Maddi JohnRead more
How to Dress for Indecisive Weather
So you want to wear a dress, but you also want to outwit the UK’s changeable weather. Liberty shows you exactly what to wear over dresses this season
By: Maddi JohnFinally! Some much-needed sun. To most this means it's time to pull our summer dresses out of hibernation and find the nearest pub garden, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. A UK summer isn’t quite as reliable to a week in the Caribbean, so while dresses may be the sartorial order of the day, our changeable weather calls for one thing: layers. Which ones? How many? We've got you, this is the Liberty guide on what to wear over dresses this summer.
Lightweight Shirting
A linen or light cotton shirt is an essential element to any summer wardrobe. Smart yet casual, versatile and breathable, there’s a certain ease to layering a shirt over a dress. Opt for an oversize silhouette, like the Susanne Waterlilies Shirt, £525 by THE MEANING WELL and leave it unbuttoned or tie the front up at your waist to add some structure to looser, longer dresses.
Cosy Knitwear
Sweaters and cardigans make for perfect cover-ups on brisker days. Far more modern than those your grandmother adored, the latest raft comes complete with cute, colourful patterns and soft knitted fabrics. Wearing something simple or monochromatic? Add a bright bold cardigan on top, like House of Sunny's Daybreak Vol.2 Cardigan, £98. Or if you’re looking for more of a neutral staple to suit any of your summer dresses, try Acne Studios' Ribbed Wool-Blend Jumper, £390.
Tailored Jackets
Ah, the tailored jacket. The classic, silhouette-sharpening wardrobe staple that can be just as easily dressed up as it can be down, it offers just the right amount of warmth to ward off an unexpected breeze. For a look that airs on the more casual side, you can’t go wrong with the meadow green Suiting Blazer, £525 by Ganni, a lightweight contemporary jacket that’ll leave you neither too cold nor too hot. If the moment calls for something a touch more formal, look no further than ALIGNE's Ferran Tie-Detail Blazer, £150, a sculptural jacket with elegant lines.
Classic Denim
Suitable for both day to night, the denim jacket is inherently versatile and this season’s iterations come both cropped and oversized: it’s up to you. Style over a summer mini dress with white trainers for daytime comfort, or give a more elegant dress a little edge but layering denim on top. Looking for an oversized fit? Don't limit yourself to just womenswear - a menswear jacket might just have the perfect oversized silhouette you've been looking for. Acne Studios' Oversized Denim Jacket, £360 is an all-around winner.
Timeless Trench Coats
Last but certainly not least - the beloved trench coat. A timeless staple in your wardrobe and perfect for transitional weather as a light layer when the weather gets worrisome. With waterproof and breathable fabric, the trench is a lifetime investment and a forever favourite you'll love wearing this season and beyond.