Summer is here, I repeat Summer is here.  For the next week anyway. 

And whilst we've (clearly I mean "I've") spent all season moaning about the weather, the minute the sun comes out, you look at your super summery wardrobe and realise meh.  I should have thought about this earlier. 

What do you wear when it's approaching 30 degrees and you're actually going to be outside?  And you're going out in the evening so don't want tan marks.  Oh call me shallow but have you ever tried to fake tan over tan marks?  Impossible.com. 

Tops.  Little tops are what you want.  To be more precise - the Cami Top.  With jeans, with cropped harems, with mini skirts or shorts.  Personally I'm easing myself into the warm weather gently and I went for jeans today but after a lathering of fake tan this morning for a party this evening, I went for a strappy top aka a cami (no longer the domain of purely underwear so it seems). 

Mine?  Bought last year from... drum roll.... Sainsburys.  I did in fact look last night (the glamour of a Friday night chez moi - McD's and Sainbos.  Rock and roll.  I simply cannot manage two nights in a row out anymore.) but they didn't have anything similar this season. 

But these are tops that everyone should have for those ridiculously warm days - also perfect for holidays.  And you'll have them for years. 

I have another that I'm saving for the really warm days next week from hush.  And it's now in the sale.  This is gorgeous and, like all the tops here, perfect for wearing a strapless bra underneath.  Although I will say, if you have pancake boobage like me, then it's thick enough to go braless. 

Embroidered Grecian top was £70 now £45




Others that friends of mine have which are amazing are the jersey Grecian tops which are now in the sale. 

Grecian top in black chevron was £35 now £20



And in the multi coloured chevron which is now £25



Similar at Topshop are their Plaited Casual Camis £18.  They do this in Tall, Petite, Maternity and Regular.  In a myriad of colours.

My choice would be the khaki. 



Or having said that - good old black is always a safe bet again £18




Now this is punchy but I have to say, with a pair of jeans and plain black sandals.. maybe a black blazer for a touch of modesty (and for a more cloudy day), I LOVE this.  It would also double up as an amazing evening top too.

Lace Trim Cami from Topshop £28



Black again from Mango.  Go on... (not entirely sure I'd be brave enough for the school run in this.. but lunch with a pair of white jeans on a scorching day?  Yup, I could go that.  Tis also the perfect out out top).

Mango Eyelash Lace Cami Top £25.99



Another cami style from Topshop but a print.  Gorgeous for the Summer and perfect to liven up a pair of cut off shorts. 

Cross Back Floral Cami Top from Topshop £24



Another print version at Topshop. 

Printed Double Strap V Front Cami from Topshop £24


All over the colour of this from ASOS.  Bargain price - looks much more expensive.  Perfection with denim.  I may have to get just *one* more...   I think I could even be tempted by the shorts as well....

Honey Punch Cami Top in Line Print with Frill Hem £24  



Probably most similar to mine from Sainsburys are the ones from Topshop. 

Tassel Tie Cami from Topshop £22



And were I not to have landed the Sainsbo's one from last year, this would definitely have been mine.  First saw it back in March and loved it.  But am v conscious of having too many tops and not enough Summer!   Because I haven't started on the dresses yet...

Embroidered Peplum top from Topshop £29






Dressier at The Outnet. 

Embroidered Cotton-voile from Chelsea Flower was £170 now £85



More embroidered in the sale at Next was £30 now £14 in the white and £12 in the navy.  In fact - a whole host of Cami loveliness in the sale if you click on the link.  Go forth and cami yourself out.   






And here I am - lathered in Cocoa Brown fake tan for the annual school football tournament this morning.  With the embroidered linen Sainsburys bargain from last year.  I think it was about £12.




Embroidered cami top - Tu Clothing at Sainsburys
Phoebe jeans - MiH Jeans
Rose gold Gigi sandals - Sam Edelman

Lathered in tan as I'm off to a huge party this evening which I have been ridiculously looking forward to.  What am I going to wear?  Hmmm, well.  The Rixo Dress is at Zippy Stitch.  The husband has gone to pick it up (love him) and has just texted me "what is it supposed to look like?".  Trying desperately not to panic and wonder what on earth I can wear instead..... just in case....  How bad could the dress be?  Actually no one answer that please... (eek).

So last night I had the complete pleasure of being invited by hush to talk to sixty (EEK) of their customers about building a capsule wardrobe.  It was a fabulous evening, I honestly loved it.  A huge thank you to everyone who listened to my witterings and wardrobe choices from the current season. 

I've been asked to share my main pointers from the evening and I've also been allowed to share the 10% discount code from the night.  The code is KATSS16 and is valid until Sunday night.  

I started with what's the point of a capsule wardrobe.  Handily I did have two rails of clothes that would serve to demonstrate this point.  Doesn't have quite the same impetus just written down..  But imagine two rails of clothing perfection in front of you (that you were then supposed to imagine being in your wardrobe very day).  How wonderful would it be to open your wardrobe each morning and easily fling on an outfit you that you love?   To be able to put together different outfits for different occasions from a range of all your favourites.  To know that you are making the most of every piece in your wardrobe and nothing is languishing there, worn once, silently screaming at you "DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I COST?".

To ensure that you end up with the perfect array of gorgeous items to choose from every day, there are some simple rules you have to follow.  This is regardless of whether you're ordering online or buying in a shop.  I may have mentioned them before so skip through if you've seen them previously.  Although I do have to remind myself of them regularly as it's so easy to forget.. *stares at selection of random skirts in wardrobe*

1. Stick to a colour palette.  And my advice is go neutral.  My choice from hush was black, khaki and cream.  Add in one (or two if you're feeling flush) colour(s) for interest.  My tone this season from hush is pink.  Different shades but pink goes perfectly with the neutral colour scheme.
2. Know your lifestyle.  I am not a skirt person.  For a month or so in the Summer I get jiggy with the dresses but I am a trouser gal.  What happens when you go off piste (from building a capsule wardrobe..) is if you buy a skirt that's slightly outside of your comfort zone, you need a top to go with it.  And a new jacket.  Then you realise you don't have any shoes that work with the outfit.   Not to mention a coat or jacket... Slippery slippery slope.  Buy trousers....
3. ...in different styles.  "Haven't you got one of those already?"  Which husband hasn't uttered that immortal phrase?  No.  I have one similar.. Don't buy exactly the same thing (the joy of having a capsule wardrobe is that you can see easily what you have - it's not buried behind twenty skirts you never wear) but if you live in black trousers, then do buy variations on the theme.  If white shirts are your thing, buy more as you will wear them, but make sure they're slightly different - with a collar, without, long sleeved, layering, jersey, silk.. you get the idea.
4. Only buy something if you can think of at least three occasions when you will wear it.  This is a fantastic rule - eliminates excess purchasing and is an aid to further black trouser buying.  And goes hand in hand with...
5. ... only buy something if you can make three different outfits with it from your existing wardrobe.  Again, big up the black pants, sayonara full print skirt.  Identifying what you wear often and buying variations of it will make it so much easier to put together outfits that you love (as opposed to forcing yourself to wear that expensive skirt and feeling meh all day).  Which leads neatly onto...
6. ... invest invest invest.  Do spend money on those things that you wear a lot.  The general rule of thumb is that the more you spend, the better the quality.  The better the fabric, the better the cut which means a better fit.  And the older we get - sweeping generalisation but the more we'd like to hide.  (or is that just me? *stares down at wine tummy thinking about all the planks I've been meaning to do this year and haven't*)

Here are my top picks - divided into three sections which you can then mix and match, including layering the tops.   

Long Harem Trousers in khaki £49.50



Now it was mentioned by someone last night that they found the harems too overwhelming with regards to volume of fabric.  Fear not - these then would be a great alternative... (although not in khaki.  I may have mentioned my Private Benjamin obsession once or ten times). 

Amie joggers £45 Also available in a blue.



The other option is the Cropped Relaxed Trousers which is a crepe fabric as opposed to a jersey.  Again, ridiculously versatile and wearable for work, for play, for holiday, for the sofa.  It's all about the top and the shoes.

Cropped Relaxed Trousers £45



Boyfriend jeans £75  These are amazing.  I've tried the sample sized 10 on and they are the perfect amount of slouch.  I've ordered some and was going to wear them last night, as I think they are so easy to dress up or down but they're on back order.   I also have this jumper from last year which I'm planning to layer over the metallic vest.  All great options for packing for hols as they can work in so many different guises.



Wide leg trousers in cream can add an element of glamour to your wardrobe, when teamed with the gold vest and a cream jacket.  We discussed last night that this would be an ideal alternative wedding outfit to the usual Coast/Karen Millen etc dress options that we're usually faced with. 

For dress down, I suggested putting the summer cashmere jumper with them, which is honestly like angel's breath.  The softest fabric ever.

Wide leg trousers in Antique White £65 (and this is the jumper).



And as if by magic.... not sure this is the metallic vest.. but it's another one of the tops just gives you so many different options.

Frayed Crop Jacket £85



My favourite.  I have been shocked by how much wear I've got out of mine and how versatile it is.  I can't remember what I used to wear before I had it.
Onyx Leather Jacket £280



The ultimate black blazer.  I got mine two years ago and it's still worn pretty much every week, all year round.

Black Jacket £65




Jackets sorted.  Onto tops.  So clearly this isn't an exhaustive list but these would be my best buys to either start off with, or add to existing tops you have.

Silk Vest £55 in Antique White   This is perfect to layer or wear on its own during the day as styled here.  Works as a top on its own with a blazer or jacket for out in the evening.  




Silk tee in black £65 also available in the antique white 




This stripe tee is a step above with regards to fabric.  Smart enough to wear with a suit for work.  Wear it at the weekend with jeans or harems.  Or tucked into a skirt if you're lucky enough to be a skirt person.  (I know you do exist...!) 

Black and white tee £35




Or white and black tee £35




Sequin top £150 - this is perfection.  With all the trousers above and all the jackets.  Just change shoes and jewellery as applicable. 



And my outfit from last night included the Essential Silk Blouse in Ecru £130




And the metallic linen vest £32



Finishing the clothes selection with the two tone cashmere jumper £125 (the same jumper as in the pic with the wide legged antique white trousers above). 



I also wore an Ethipian Promise ring £30



This wasn't my entire selection, there were some more pink jumpers which I suggest you get a glass of wine for and peruse the website.  Not forgetting the super good news of the 10% discount code.  Valid until Sunday evening.  Off everything.  KATSS16.

I have no pictures at all of the evening (how rubbish is that? ).  Actually I lie.  I have one of empty chairs.... all 60 of them... Lots of pics were taken though and I think hush might want to do a blog piece for their website which will hopefully have lots of pics on it.  

In the meantime, the 60 empty chairs... 



And my outfit.  Yes - all those people there and I forgot to get anyone to take a photo. 




Ecru Silk shirt - hush
Onyx jacket - hush
Black leather leggings - hush
Ethiopian prayer ring necklace - hush

I really hope everyone who came had a fantastic time - you all certainly seemed to enjoy yourselves.   I would like to thank you for being such a warm and welcoming lovely group of ladies.  And I hope you managed to take some food for thought away (as well as the discount!).



Navy cashmere dress - Whistles 
Black zip ankle skinnies - Boden
Onyx leather jacket - hush
Haworth bag - Village England

And now it's wine.  Although I still have some damage to do at hush with my 10% off...