Summer diaries have a habit of filling up quickly. Lunch with friends turns into afternoon drinks, an invitation arrives for a garden party, and suddenly there's a weekend away to pack for.
The good news? You don't need a different wardrobe for every occasion.
At Number Six, our independent women's boutique in Cobham, we're all about finding beautiful, wearable pieces that can be styled in different ways. The right dress, a great pair of trousers or a beautiful blouse can take you through far more of your summer plans than you might think.
So, if you're wondering what to wear for those last summer lunches, parties and weekends away, here are five outfits Sally would choose.
1. Lunch With Friends
For a long summer lunch, you want to look put together without looking like you've tried too hard.
A beautiful blouse paired with relaxed trousers or denim strikes exactly the right balance. Add a great bag and simple jewellery and you've got an outfit that works just as well for a quick coffee as it does when lunch unexpectedly turns into afternoon drinks.
Sally's styling tip: Choose a blouse with an interesting print, colour or detail and let it do the work. Keep everything else simple.
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2. The Garden Party
Garden parties call for something a little special, but that doesn't mean buying an outfit you'll only wear once.
A beautiful midi or maxi dress is an effortless choice. Look for an easy silhouette and a print or colour you love, then keep the accessories relaxed.
The best part? Swap your smarter accessories for flats and a crossbody bag and the same dress can be worn for holidays, lunches and weekends away.
Sally's styling tip: Don't save your favourite dresses for "best". The more ways you can find to wear them, the better.
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3. The Weekend Away
Packing for a weekend away is all about pieces that work harder.
Start with relaxed trousers or your favourite jeans and add a beautiful blouse or top. Pack a lightweight knit for cooler evenings and choose accessories that work with everything.
It's an easy formula that gives you several outfits without taking your entire wardrobe with you.
Sally's styling tip: Before packing, lay everything on the bed and make sure your tops and bottoms can be mixed and matched. If something only works with one outfit, think twice about taking it.
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4. Dinner on a Summer Evening
There's something lovely about dressing for dinner on a warm summer evening.
This is the moment for an effortless dress that makes you feel fabulous the second you put it on. Add a beautiful bag, jewellery and your favourite sandals and you're done.
Whether you're heading to dinner in Cobham, eating outside on holiday or meeting friends for drinks, choose something that feels special without feeling overly formal.
Sally's styling tip: Accessories are the easiest way to take a daytime dress into the evening. A change of jewellery and bag can completely alter the feel of an outfit.
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5. The Effortless Sunday
Not every summer plan requires dressing up.
For a relaxed Sunday brunch, a walk, browsing the shops or an impromptu pub lunch, comfort is key.
Pair relaxed denim or easy trousers with a great top and simple accessories. It's the sort of outfit that requires very little thought but still makes you feel pulled together.
And those are often the best outfits of all.
Sally's styling tip: Your everyday wardrobe deserves just as much attention as your occasionwear. Invest in pieces you love wearing on ordinary days, not just special ones.
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Sally's Summer Style Rule
If there's one thing I'd recommend when choosing clothes for your summer diary, it's to stop thinking about pieces for individual occasions.
Instead, ask yourself: "How else could I wear this?"
Could that garden-party dress work with flats on holiday? Could your dinner blouse be worn with jeans next weekend? Could the trousers you're taking away become part of your everyday wardrobe when you get home?
The pieces that earn their place in your wardrobe are the ones you can reach for again and again.
Find Your Next Summer Outfit at Number Six
Whether you're looking for something for lunch with friends, a garden party, a weekend away or simply want to refresh your everyday wardrobe, we're here to help.
Visit Number Six in Cobham for personal styling advice and we'll help you find pieces that work for the occasion, and plenty of occasions afterwards.
Shopping from further afield? Explore our latest collections online and discover Sally's favourite pieces for the season.