Heat Wave

As a girl raised in Australia, I love the heat of summer. Until I moved to England, my wardrobe consisted entirely of dresses, shorts, and breezy blouses (and I only owned one coat that I think I wore a total of three times a year). Because wardrobe habits die hard, I still rather optimistically over-shop for summer in the hopes that we’ll have a long, hot summer that will stretch on for months on end. This being England it never works out that way, but when we do have a heat wave, at least I’m always the one prepared.

I wore this outfit for a long-day of sightseeing in New York, followed by dinner al fresco in Soho with friends. It has all the elements of my perfect summer outfit: start with a breezy dress (so much prettier than tiny hemlines or anything too-tight and bonus points for built-in airflow when it’s too hot for waistbands), add flat sandals that can take you anywhere, a cross-body handbag (to leave you hands free for bike rides and iced coffees), and a few jewels to add interest (and because I feel naked otherwise). Add big sunglasses and bright lipstick in lieu of full makeup and you’re set for anything.

Even though I don’t live in Australia anymore, I still uphold my tradition of buying a Zimmermann dress each summer (because no one does summer dressing better than the Australians), and this one has quickly become a favourite; I’ve been wearing it every week and it is perfect for everything from casual fridays in the office and dinner in the city to weekend adventures and picnics in the park when the sun strikes (because it’s black and I can machine wash it, I can happily mistreat it – because summer is too short to be precious with your clothes).

 Wearing: Zimmermann dress (sold out, but similar style on sale here) // Mulberry bag // Dune sandals (also in black here) // Lulu Frost necklace (past season, but similar style here) // J. Crew bracelets // Lulu Frost ring (now on sale) // Alex Monroe ‘love’ ring // ASOS pearl ring // J. Crew earrings (similar style here) // Vintage sunglasses (similar style here).

Beauty: Clinique ‘Wow’ pop lip lipstick // Nars ‘Gaiety’ blush // Essie ‘Go Ginza’ nailpolish.

Love, Miss B xx

Photos by Lydia Hudgens