Forty-five degrees is what distinguishes this summer’s shoe from any summer’s shoe. The heel of a classic summer wedge has been lowered and is now spirit-level flat but with a chunky 7cm sole. It’s a bit less easy to walk in than a wedge but gives more flattering elevation than a wafer-flat sandal. They are all over the high street in various incarnations – from espadrilles to lace-ups. Go for a classic leather strappy version to take the throw-everything-at-it, Fearne Cotton sting out of the flatform’s tail.
Flatforms, £110, by Whistles, whistles.co.uk Photograph: Whistles
We’re not being rash here and suggesting you ditch your two-piece bikini. But the unmistakable truth is that swimsuits have the style momentum this summer. So far our recent favourite one-piece moments have come courtesy of a pregnant Tori Spelling in a crocheted one-piece (why not, haters?) and Victoria Beckham in an impeccable swimsuit for iD magazine. Super-expensive costumes are hard to justify. But a well-cut one-piece that has a bit of the Cannes starlet about it is exactly what your suitcase is gagging for.
Swimsuit, £49, by Boden, boden.co.uk Photograph: Boden
When nail art became a thing three years ago, it was for the kids. Thirtysomethings were not flocking to nail art studios in Shoreditch and getting experimental. But this summer things have changed. All manner of celebs have sported them – from Alexa Chung giving them a modern ingenue spin to Jessie J diluting any shock factor from the trend. Beauty companies have caught on and produced polishes that grownups can play with. To wit: Nails inc has a polish with a magnet in the lid. Hover it over your nail and the magnet does the arty bit. Some call it a cheapie 2012 summer fashion fix. Others call it 90s nostalgia for grownups.
Magnetic nail polish, £13, by Nails inc, nailsinc.com Photograph: Nails Inc
True, capes were probably the best piece of fashion action to come out of the jubilee celebrations (see the Queen, Princess Anne and Dame Shirley), but if you are wondering what summer coat to buy to see you through the next few months, then the answer is a Dior-ish pastel jacket. By Dior-ish we mean a bit couture-like and inspired by Raf Simons’ last collection for Jil Sander. Post Galliano-scandal, there is bound to be a lot of focus on Simons’ first couture collection for Dior this summer, and in anticipation the high street has gone massive on the look for autumn, but there’s no time like the present.
Jacket, £69, by Cos, cosstores.com Photograph: Cos
Dolce & Gabbana provided the inspiration late last year with its Dolce Vita sundresses featuring red onions and the like … Photograph: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
Now the easy-to-wear Sicilian sundress has gone mass. Tight at the top with a fuller skirt and a pleasing print – it is hardly the sartorial equivalent of reinventing the wheel …
Dress, £85, by Oasis, oasis-stores.com Photograph: Oasis
But they’re pretty and upbeat and make the most of any rays of sunshine.
Dress, £125, by French Connection, frenchconnection.com Photograph: French Connection
Matt, coloured stretch jeans say last summer. Leather jeans suggest that you are a sunshine-denier. Want to know what says summer 2012 on the denim front? A pair of skinny jeans with a waxed coating, that’s what. Zara’s version has already gone cult. An under-£40 wardrobe update that will see you right until way beyond the end of the season.
Waxed jeans, £39.99, by Zara, zara.com Photograph: Zara
This trend has been building for a while. It’s basically hippie-ish friendship bracelets reprised in posher materials – a bit of gold along with some bright string. It’s the acceptable face of festival fashion in a summer when festival fashion is at its lowest point ever. The bracelets segue easily into the more discreet wardrobes of women who don’t do glam Dubai paste. A summer fashion fad for women who know better than to attempt studded denim cut-offs.
Friendship bracelet, £35, by Nikki B, from asos.com Photograph: Nikki B
The plain leather shopper made desirable by Phoebe Philo at Céline a few seasons ago has had extraordinary reach. For all their plainness, these bags – and their high-street spin-offs – are far from anonymous. Anyone who doesn’t recognise a certain smooth tan number with buckle handles by Zara at 20 paces frankly hasn’t been paying attention. Next season Whistles has a brilliant selection with added shearling patches (it works, believe us). But for now, M&S is totally ruling this aspect of summer 2012 fashion.
Shopper, £79, by Marks & Spencer, marksandspencer.com Photograph: Marks & Spencer
Yes, that loud tropical hibiscus print that brings to mind Tom Cruise in Cocktail, Tom Selleck as Magnum PI and visiting leaders looking uncomfortable in Hawaii has gone Fashion. Stella McCartney and a hot London fashion week designer named Maarten Van Der Horst have made it so. You need to posh it up a little for it to work. Wear it with heels and a well-cut pair of ankle-length trousers. It’s exactly what summer fashion is all about: something a little bit fun that has been given a new lease of life.
Hawaiian top, £64.90, by Uterqüe, uterque.com Photograph: Uterqüe
We rolled our eyes when we watched the hipsters get involved with this one. But then something happened that meant we U-turned at Osborne-like speed. Mrs Prada showed dip-dyed hair with her darkly embellished autumn collection. Fickle, much? Photograph: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
