There are two ways to play it. The first is to embrace the romanticism of the look: think crisp white poplin dresses, tie-front tops, petticoats and visions of idyllic picnics and lounging in summer meadows. Susan Fang’s frilled broderie anglaise concoctions (left) unashamedly lean into the romance of the trend – as did the finale dresses at Chanel’s recent resort show in Marseille. Get the look with Madewell’s tank dress (£159) and Zara’s cutwork midi style (£55.99), or hit up a vintage market for a bargain.
The other option is to mix things up. A broderie anglaise shirt, for example, is a useful beach cover-up over a bikini. Try New Look (£22.99) or Y.A.S’s scalloped cuff style (£70) from asos.com. Balance the flounce factor by styling it with denim shorts or wide-leg jeans for a festival or weekend barbecue. Swap white for a pastel shade, like Sandro’s pale blue two-piece set (3, below) or wraplondon.co.uk’s strappy lemon sundress.
Banish visions of Victorian nightgowns by choosing a bold colour. Essentiel Antwerp’s tomato red trousers (2, below) are a real statement piece and also come in a bubblegum pink with a matching shirt. George at Asda’s royal blue cropped long-sleeved shirt is a steal at (£18) in sizes 8-24, and Boden’s bright yellow column skirt is currently marked down to (£87.50). Opt for punchy red dress like Asos Design’s plunge-neck statement-sleeve style (£150) or Farm Rio’s frilled collar maxi (£320), both ideal for a summer wedding or for dressing up on holiday, styled with chunky gold earrings and big sunglasses.
1. Top £30, and shorts £28, both riverisland.com
2. Shirt £160, and trousers £230, both essentiel-antwerp.com
3. Top £89.50, and skirt £149.40, both uk.sandro-paris.com
4. Kaftan £84.99, hm.com
5. Tie-front top £98, and skirt from a selection, both anthropologie.com
6. Black maxidress £98, oliverbonas.com
7. Pink broderie shirt £29.99, newlook.com
8. Ivory top £165, wyselondon.com
