It’s a quick one today because it’s one of those days when work has to come before pleasure. This post was prompted by a distress call from an old schoolfriend. She defected to the south years ago and messaged me last week because of the rain. You see she’s been away so long that she’s forgotten how to dress for a summer that doesn’t turn out as expected. She needed a wardrobe solution for a wet summer; her words were “before I build an ark, tell me what you’re wearing, I can’t cope with this endless @#$%&* weather.”

So, I reminded her that it’s all about wearing something light that covers you all over. In my case that’s basically trousers and a blouse which I find works well in air-conditioned buildings in the summer too. But then we went into detail and I realised that for me it has to be a particular type of blouse. I don’t often wear cotton or linen for work because neither give me the fluid shape that I want. I also have a funny relationship with cotton and linen shirts, they’re high maintenance so the laundry gremlin’s usually muttering away in my ear when I’m deciding what to wear.

For me viscose is the answer – it’s breathable and yet it drapes well. I like silk too but I know I’ll find myself keeping it for best because of the extra laundering factor. The cut of the blouse has to be slim so that it works well with a blazer, I prefer it to be collarless and if it has tiny buttons with rouleau loops it’s even better.

Blouses like this are the perfect solution to the current trend for high waisted silhouettes. They work well tucked in to both wide trousers and tailored ones, adding very little bulk and you can wear them with a camisole (or even a thermal) underneath if you need an extra layer but… they’re hard to find. Silky blouses are nearly always made from polyester, even designer ones but I’ve found a few that aren’t. Before I show you though, I need you to use a bit of imagination – they’re garments that only come to life when they’re on the body. When shown flat and limp like this they look like something your form teacher used to wear with a sensible skirt.

An easy wardrobe solution for a wet summer

The one I’ve been wearing a lot is this one – you’ve seen it before and it’s in the sale.

wardrobe solution for a wet summer

Ditsy blouse (also available in blue)

It’s such a hardworking blouse, I wear it with the neck open rather than closed and generally add flats if I’m working from home or a low heel if I’m out and about going to meetings. By the way I know the flowerbed needs weeding – I’ll get round to it soon.

wardrobe solution for a wet summer

Blouse & trousers (gifted SS19); Boden shoes

I must just remind you about the trousers too (above and below), they’re both flattering and really comfortable to wear. The camera hasn’t picked up the leg-lengthening detail of the stitching down the front which makes them feel like the ultimate Audrey Hepburn cut. They’ve almost sold out in the navy but they’re still available in khaki. They come up big though so size down and bear in mind that they stretch – mine are a size 10 and as you can see, they’re still quite loose.

wardrobe solution for a wet summer

White Company gingham shirt SS15; Navy trousers (gifted SS19); Navy and sky blue slingbacks; Pop of colour bag (only 2 left in red here)

Hardworking summer blouses

Here’s a further selection of summer blouses for you to peruse (remember you need to imagine them tucked in to trousers and worn with an open neck):

wardrobe solution for a wet summer

wardrobe solution for a wet summer

So, I hope that’s solved a wardrobe conundrum that should be temporary – summer must be coming soon. In the meantime here’s a picture from Saturday at our village gala when it most definitely wasn’t sunny. It was such a shame but… it did mean we had a good run at the plant and the cake stalls!

wardrobe solution for a wet summer

Jacket (gifted SS19); Maison Labiche Breton (sold out); Trousers (gifted SS19); Wellies

And that’s it for today, back to the grindstone I must go. Have a good week and I’ll be back on Friday – oh and by the way, the summer sales are staring so here are the ones I’ve found so far.

Summer sales 2019

Net a Porter here

Cos everything here

Hobbs everything here

Mint Velvet everything here

John Lewis & Partners price match hub here

And Other Stories everything here

Mango 30% off everything here until 14th June with code VIP19

Arket early sale access here

Disclosure: ‘An easy wardrobe solution for a wet summer’ is not a sponsored post

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