So what if you don't do boho...

...what do you wear in Summer?  It might be just me, but it certainly seems to be boho on speed everywhere you turn. 

And it's a look I'm not that great with.   The odd snippet here and there but actually I think that's even harder - you have a couple of random outfits you can wear but with no cohesive look to your wardrobe.  Not that you *need* that necessarily of course (she says thinking out loud) but it does make for difficult mix and match dressing and I (ok weirdo alert I appreciate) like to have a "look".  Yes I feel like a cretin writing that now but I know I'm not alone.. (she says hopefully...).  I like to be able to create lots of different outfits from my wardrobe and things have to multitask.  Plus I'm quite wedded to the idea of a *theme* for a season... I'm going to quit whilst I'm vaguely ahead as I fear many of you are glazing over (but if you agree with me - do tell me what your look/theme is for this Summer please!)

However that aside, one thing I do know is that lots of us aren't full on boho lovers.  I have, therefore, come up with some Summer styles for us to embrace that we can create an alternative wardrobe around. 

So I've got a couple of suggestions over the next couple of days and I'm starting with stripes.  Not necessarily of the Breton variety - pushing the envelope slightly here and looking at some alternative colours.  Although clearly I can't swerve the navy and white altogether.  

Now apologies if you're not into dresses.  At this time of year, I get dress obsessed.  You can't get me into one in the Winter for love nor money but in the Summer, I can't get enough of them.  They are simply too easy to wear. 

Little bit of fake tan needed with these but I am definitely of the belief that the more you just have your legs out, the better they start looking immediately.  Anyone else find this?  

Well I'm obviously starting with monochrome.  And I'd happily wear this with a biker jacket and a pair of ankle boots.

YAS July Dress in Mono Stripe £60

Slightly more grown up but still easy to dress down at Finery.  Wear with or without the belt. 

Akerman Cut About Stripe Belted Shirt Dress £69



And I love the idea of wearing the belt as a neck tie and leaving the dress loose... 




Shirt Dress Style is possibly my favourite dress style at the moment, hence I'm crushing on the one above and this is fabulously easy to wear with trainers or for work.

Linen Blend Loose Fit Stripe Shirt Dress from Autograph £59



Sleeveless now and this is definitely not going to be for everyone but I LOVE it.  Very Marni... but no - it's M&S.  Get in there. 

Pure Cotton Striped Knitted Dress £35  I love the colours - really adore them.  So different. Hats off to you Marks. 



Knitted again in wide, irregular stripes.  And this one has 25% off at Warehouse.  All dresses are discounted with the code DRESS25.

Panelled V Neck Dress from Warehouse £149  Yes that does seem a LOT for Warehouse but I guess it must be pretty special for that then - and certainly the 25% comes in handy.



This is exquisite if not on the ridiculously short side for anyone who is slightly taller than average.  Off to see if they do in a Tall version. 

ASOS Stripe Natural Dress £35  Definitely has a nod to boho without being full on heavy Marant.  Perfection for those who want to dip a toe in the boho water without actually getting remotely wet.



Another short one but love the bardot style..

White Stripe Bardot Neck Dress from New Look £14.99



A different (preferred by me) colourway also for £14.99




A slightly more expensive version but I would still say a great deal and definitely my favourite of all three.  Dare I say it looks longer??

White Contrast Stripe Bardot Dress £22.99



Longer sleeved and again, this looks super short but I'm hoping the Tall version would be longer and less muff flashing.  Let alone Les Dawson knee displaying... 

ASOS Tall Sweat Dress in Stripe was £25 now £19.50  Pockets.  It has pockets.  Throw on boots and wear on a warmish but rainy day.  Get those leg a bit wet... (wash the fake tan off first - been there, done that, had rivulets of gravy running down my leg.  Not a good look).



Certainly we're sticking with safe territory here but this such an easy dress to wear on warm days - not to mention being super flattering. 

Pleated Neck Striped Maxi Dress from Marks and Spencer £45




Speaking of super flattering, this isn't the most exciting colourwise but love the twist on a classic stripe. 

Mela Blue Stripe Hanky Hem Dress from New Look £35



Ditto this one...

Cheap Monday Striped Racer Maxi Dress £40



ASOS Maxi Dress in Variagated Stripe Print £28



A slightly unusual shade now of grey. 

ASOS WHITE Stripe Organza Dress £75



More midi love and another great dress that would take you from the school run, to work, to dinner.  

Stripe Midi Dress from Warehouse £69 pre 25% discount.



Another waisted striped midi dress in shades of red at ASOS £45



And as I said - of course I can't not include a navy and white job but how about changing it up with accessories.  I'm thinking leopard print... (as I always would).  Or how about metallics.  So neither of those are hardly reinventing the wheel but just something different from white or red or anything nautically themed.  Actually - I might be tempted to do black.  Yes, in fact, that's what I would be doing.  In my head as I type, that is working.  Black little blazer, black bag, black ballet pumps.  Bonjour from Paris. (ish).

Woven Mix Swing Dress from Me+Em £88




Again a take on the classic breton stripe with a fluted sleeve - very much reminds me of a significantly more expensive top they have in JCrew. 

Stripe Flute Sleeve Dress from Warehouse £35



And a more typical breton inspired number, again at Warehouse £32



Now one in black and white - ridiculously easy to wear and perfect for every day.  Just fling on black ankle boots when it's wet. 

Monki Stripe Drop Waist Dress £25


Trilby - Zara Men
Silver Have a Nice Day bag - Anya Hindmarch



Orange/red dress - H&M
Tan Gladiator Sandals - Forever21
Trilby - Zara Men
Silver Have a Nice Day bag - Anya Hindmarch

Boho or no boho?  So we had stripes first.  Yay or nay?  Option number two coming up tomorrow.