Chic spring and summer staples for an effortlessly cool weekend wardrobe

Planning out your weekend outfits is fun, but it can also be the worst. You know where you’re going, and you know the dress code, but for some reason putting any semblance of an outfit together takes hours (literally hours!) no matter how stocked your wardrobe is. Why does this happen? Most likely because you’re lacking in chic staple pieces you can easily mix and match. Well, fear not: this summer needn’t be a stress-fest of early mornings spent covering your bedroom floor in knee-high piles of hastily discarded, tried-on clothes. We’ve scoured the high street and all of our go-to online stores to bring you the chicest summer staples out there. And you can trust us, they’ll make dressing for the season ahead an absolute breeze. 

Round neck cotton t-shirt, £14.95, NA-KD

Simple yet forever stylish, the perfect white tee will totally transform your warm-weather wardrobe. Our vote? This eternally versatile round neck design by NA-KD. It’s made with 50% recycled material, has climate-compensated shipping and will go with everything you own. 

Ultra high-rise 90s straight-leg jeans, £75. Abercrombie & Fitch

Straight-leg jeans are going nowhere this spring/summer season and nothing could make us happier – well, aside from the fact that these perfect high-waisted ones from Abercrombie come in 16 (yes, 16!) different colourways. 

White shirred Maisi midi dress, £79, Nobody’s Child

Pining for the ultimate one-and-done, throw-on-and-go, out-the-door-in-minutes look? A simple white sundress will always have your back. There are plenty to choose from, but the Maisi midi by Nobody’s Child is pretty darn flawless. 

Tomboy shirt, £85, Sézane

From work to weekend, day to night, and smart to casual, a striped relaxed-fit shirt can do it all. Get your hands on this 100% cotton beauty by Sézane before it inevitably sells out.

Khaki satin maxi skirt, £30, River Island

Dress it up or dress it down, a satin slip skirt like this one will see you through countless events on the summer calendar. Add a simple tee and flats for a Sunday stroll or a halter top, low-heeled sandals and some gold jewellery for dinner and drinks.

Stef asymmetric one-shoulder tank top, £35, Allsaints

From jeans to skirts to shorts, this little black top will make everything you pair it with instantly cooler. Extra style points for tucking it into high-waisted jeans and adding a timeless pair of cat-eye sunglasses. 

Sophie Cook