#3 Summer Layers: The Kimono

The third in my series of Summer Layers and my new guest post on Thoroughly British has just gone live. I select my favourite MIB Kimonos including this lovely one from Stella + Alf.

Check out my Tumblr for some kimono styling inspiration!

Let me know what you think and which is your fave...

Andrea x

Holiday packing

Clockwise from Top Left: Shirt, Silken Favours; Sunglasses, Fan Optics; Clutch, Rianna Phillips; Playsuit, In Love With Fashion; Sandals; Mudlark & Co; Scrub, Mitchell and Peach; Moisturiser, Mitchell and Peach; Shorts, Topshop; Towel, ASHISH x Topshop; Suitcase, Globetrotter.

And so you've picked your swimsuit(s) and your "summer layer" but what else do you pack?

I booked my summer holiday for April, now a distant memory. Leaving me with no planned holidays for the rest of the year. Foolish mistake. But if I were heading back into the sun this summer, I'd be packing these MIB essentials.

By day I'd be teaming my jungle Silken Favours shirt with these comfy shorts and stylishly simple sandals by Mudlark & Co and exploring markets, towns and lesser trodden streets. 

By night though, I'd be showcasing my tan in this orange playsuit from ILWF and reaching for this amazing clutch by Rianna Phillips for a not-your-average-dinner-guest attire. I'm on holiday after all.

You'd find me sunning myself and catching up on my holiday reading (a.k.a stack of weird and wonderful magazines bought in WHSmith duty free) on this tounge-in-cheek, Made in Britain, Towel from the recent ASHISH x Topshop range and my "act like a star" sunnies from FanOptics.

And heaven or Mitchell and Peach forbid THIS is the holiday I discover I am a peeler. 

Pack it all away in my price of a holiday suitcase from Globetrotter and a long weekend away is calling me. If only I'd pick up the damn phone.

Andrea x

To the Lido.

Wow! June already therefore it is officially the start of proper summer. The anticipation for your holiday is mounting and excitement at an all time high. You're experiencing a wave of relief that all that hard work getting your bikini bod, wasn't in vein, and will pay dividends when you're looking all smug in your holiday selfies - or more likely that you've panicked and googled "9 day bikini body programme guaranteed". Oops!

If you're also NOT the oasis of calm and a messiah of holiday organisation then you're probably panic buying your holiday essentials as I type. But don't just settle for cheap mix n match ill fitting swimwear - why not invest?

Kiniki, Meyli Miyaru, Samantha Sage, Mona Swimwear and (impossible for me NOT to include) House of Hackney, all manufacture swimwear Made In Britain. Guaranteed to make a splash..

*I realise now, that I am not cut out for in a career in comedy. I apologise for my cringe-inducing puns throughout. But equally refuse to delete.. they made me giggle. 

Bjork Print Bustier Bikini; Yellow Minerva Twisted Bandeau Bikini; Tilla Bandeau Swimsuit; All Mona Swims. bg sand image credit.

These heavenly digital prints are set to beautifully cut swimwear - it was hard to narrow it down to just three. Best loser goes to Marylin One-Piece. Swoon.

Mauritius Bikini; Mustique Swimsuit; St Tropez Bikini;  All Samantha Sage. bg lido image credit.

Oh BONJOUR Chanel/Celine inspired brush stroke print. I heart you. I chose the Mustique Swimsuit to show it in all it's glory.. but you can get this print in other bikini's too if you prefer. I loved the style of the Mauritias Bikini and this zingy blue really set's off a tan as does the lime green of the St Tropez. Samantha Sage also does WONDERFUL vintage inspired suits - complimentary to any shape. 

Bandeau Bikini; Mare Blu High Neck Swimsuit; Jellyfish & Neoprene Bandeau Swimsuit; All Meyli Miyaru. bg pool image credit.

GOSHDARNIT another brand hard to narrow down! I nearly chose three swimsuits JUST to show of these prints but in balance and fairness I picked just two. An eclectic jelly fish and simple yet stunning stripe but don't be fooled this brand sings exciting prints. And even do a dive line if you're keen to look the part in your deep-sea pursuits.

 Athena Tan Through Bandeau Bikini; Cheetah Tan Through Swimsuit; St Barts Tan Through Bikini; All Kiniki. bg floats image credit.

I'm not normally one for Animal Print, but Kiniki do it so well. I love the colours of their Bandeau Bikini and the Paisley of the St Barts but I think the show stopper has to be this cheetah print.  Best of all Kiniki have formulated Tan-Through swimwear - so no embarrassing post holiday tan lines... just remember to use sunscreen ALL over.

Palmeral Bikini; Peony Swimsuit; Peony Bikini; All House of Hackney. bg wave image credit.

If you couldn't tell my love affair with all things House of Hackney is still in megaSUPERdrive. Their prints are now on bikinis and one pieces. Hey! House of Hackney just please STOP with all the amazing uses of your print.. I just can't cope. 

Andrea x

#2 Summer Layers: The Bomber

If Duster Coats aren't your thing, then I have an alternative. The Sport Luxe vibe doesn't seem to be going anywhere fast and this Summer is no exception. The Bomber jacket it topping many fashion wishlists and, just like the Duster, is an ideal transitional layering piece, no doubt seeing you through the Summer season comfortably.

But a Bomber Jacket, Made in Britain? Impossible! I hear you cry.

Nuh-uh! I've found some amazing Bombers, made in the UK. Sling over pleats, summer dresses and your trusty denim cut-offs for the perfect dressed-down accompaniment.

Pink is still absolutely relevant, upgrade to this Pink Bomber by Bill + Mar. Ideal for those wanting an easier wear for the trend. Think Grease style summer nights and team with big bell skirts.

Synonymous with girly party dresses this Jones + Jones Organza Bomber is a surprising find. The sheer layer will compliment evening wear with its floral detail, yet dressed down will add quirky twist to the Bomber trend. Ideal.

Wear the Ragged Priest Leather Bomber with just about anything. The jacket does all the talking.

I have long lusted after Jaded London's prints and the Jewel Bomber is no exception. Their bold digital prints have won them fans from none other than Beyonce. Kudos.

For a more sophisticated take on the trend why not try this M&S Checked Bomber? Ideal for the work place and the mix up of fabric will smarten up your weekend attire.

Or why not try some Americana cool with this SweaterCo Varsity Jacket

Andrea x

#1 Summer Layers: The Duster Coat

In this awkward weather phase that is May, it can seem challenging to get dressed in the morning. Do you layer up assuming you'll experience sunshine and showers or do you wear something light and drown it in your thick wool winter coat? The weather is just that unpredictable that what ever you decide, will probably be the wrong choice. 

JUST AS WELL duster coats are a thing. Stylish, lightweight and the ideal for this weather dressing conundrum. The knee length doctors coat maybe not seem like an object of desire but the versatility of them makes them your ideal spring time dressing companion. Keep your outfit simple, t-shirt, jumper or shirt and vintage DIY ripped jeans mixed with chunky sturdy weatherproof boots.

And when it all gets a bit too stuffy you can use one of the best styling tricks of the season, heckling back to early school days, and tie your jumper/shirt/additional layer round your waist. Tactical dressing at it's best.

Amen the 90s revival. 

And guess what, here are THREE of the best Dusters all Made in Britain.

Firstly, this jersey number from Topshop mainline. Online does not clarify it's provenance, but in store, I can assure you the swing tag proudly showing 'Made in Britain'. Woo, and at £75 it's pretty darn attractive. 

From In Love With Fashion, this sleeveless gingham jacket is an not only bang on trend but also ideal to layer up.

Finally and slightly tenuous perhaps, if you follow Never Fully Dressed on Depop, you might have seen an Ivory Annie Jacket that was made in Britain for sale. Based on pure assumption, you can also get in in camel or black. But I'm pinning my hopes on the Ivory, obviously. 

Andrea x