Black is the new...black?

I feel like in the last few days I’ve really started trying to make more of an effort to embrace my summer wardrobe.

Even though it has been pretty dull and gloomy where I am, temperatures have been rising and I have it on good authority that we are in for a few sunny days so a fashion gal has of course got to be prepared!

I am always going to champion a floral summer dress, especially those super light and loose ones that I recently got from H&M which, with zero effort on your part, are already a complete outfit. If you’re looking for a no-fuss summer dress I strongly advise a peek on the H&M website.

However, sometimes I just want to wear really simple, uncomplicated outfits that look pretty simple but have an interesting accessory or styling detail thrown into the mix.

Now anyone who knows me knows I am 100 per cent a print and colour gal but I have found myself becoming more and more attracted to the idea of a black dress for summer.

The LBD, as some call it, has long been a wardrobe staple but more traditionally seen as an autumn/winter kind of dress. However, with lightweight fabrics, interesting details like square necklines and loose and flowy silhouettes, it’s been given a modern and easy to wear update for summer 2020.

I’m particularly loving light cotton black dresses with puff sleeves and button details or classic black t-shirt dresses. The beauty of these is that you can keep to all black accessories, like a barely there sandal for a night time feel or wear a leopard print dad sandal and straw bag for the most comfortable yet stylish day time look.

When it comes to elevating this look, I cannot recommend strongly enough the addition of some statement jewellery. I’m not even talking colourful baubles here, although feel free to add them if you so wish. For me it has to be chunky gold chains or bracelets with stacking rings to really make the black feel super expensive.

Another look I tend to live in all summer, and which again is so easy to pull together, is a slip skirt worn with t-shirt and a pair of trainers. It has all the ease of the dress but with the endless mix and match potential. I currently have my eye on a leopard print silky wrap skirt and I know I would already wear it constantly.

I’m a real fan of plain t-shirts so for me I just pair all my skirts with either a black, white or navy t-shirt. I’ve recently taken the Selected v-necks from Moda boutique in Mallow and it’s so easy to create outfits when you’ve got a good stock of these great basics.

I feel like we have so little days where you can wear a sandal in Ireland so I like to make sure pretty much anything I buy can go with a plain white trainer.

The white trainer is just such an outfit life saver and I’ve been getting so much wear out of my Adidas Sleeks lately, which I picked up in a sale and have already surpassed their cost per wear. Essentially this is all not rocket science but when the weather is lovely, the last thing you want to do is to be stuck inside deciding what to wear so a few go-to looks to have to hand is always a good idea. You might just be lounging in the back garden but it’s nice to put the summer glad rags on every now and then!