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The UK is currently in the midst of a blistering heatwave , with some parts of the country having experienced temperatures higher than Rome and Ibiza .
While the warmer climes are a welcome change for us Brits who are regularly plagued by dismal forecasts, it does spark the conundrum of what to wear.
If you’re lucky enough to be able to spend hot days basking on the beach or in a beer garden, the daily decision is a little less complicated – think mini dresses, strapless tops and Hawaiian-style shirts inspired by Richard Quinn ’s spring/summer 2019 offering.
But, if you find yourself facing a sticky commute followed by hours sat in a stuffy office, knowing what to wear requires much more critical thinking.
The answer is to arm yourself with a collection of reliable staples that, while inherently stylish, will keep you cool throughout the day.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in JulyShow all 20 1 /20New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Ocean Print Swimsuit, £45, & Other Stories Swimwear weather is finally here! If you're in need of some new pieces to add to your collection we suggest investing in this scoop neck swimsuit that's adorned with an ocean themed print. The & Other Stories website notes that swimwear tends to run small, so make sure to go up a size.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Woven-Jersey Belted Shirt Dress, £59, Cos This classic shirt dress takes all the stress out of office dressing during the summer. An effortless style that's made from cotton it promises to keep you cool when you're stuck at your desk on hot days. Available in cerulean blue and charcoal grey.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Hat with Ribbon, £19.99, Zara Hats are a great way to protect yourself against harmful rays but they're also incredibly chic. We like this one from Zara which takes a classic straw fedora and gives it a modern, minimal feel with a thin contrasting ribbon.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Double Hoop Earring, £19, Whistles One of the easiest ways to update your look for summer is with accessories and it doesn't get more stylish than a pair of gold hoop earrings. This pair from Whistles feature a timeless cutout shape and prove that two hoops are better than one.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Pleated Midi Skirt, £42, Warehouse Midi skirts are great way to cool down on days you don't want too much skin on show. This one from Warehouse sits high on the waist while the pleats promise to add a swish to your walk. Wear yours with a graphic T-shirt and white trainers.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Veja V-10 Sneakers, £115, & Other Stories A pair of classic white trainers is an absolute must for summer and with A-list fans like Emma Watson and the Duchess of Sussex, you can't go wrong with a pair of Vela's. This pair features a leather upper, perforated details to the toe and colourful accents.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Satin Crop Wide Leg Trousers, £46, Topshop A pair of wide-leg trousers promise to be one of the hardest working pieces in your wardrobe during the warmer months. This satin pair particularly so, as they can be worn by day or night. Team with a halterneck top and sandals for trips to park and strappy heels for a night on the town.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Grace Turquoise Acrylic Grab Bag, £27, Topshop Boxy shapes are here to stay in the world of accessories so if you haven't added one to your collection yet, now is the time. This one from Topshop features a vibrant turquoise outer and contrasting black strap that can be handheld or thrown over your shoulder.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July T-shirt with Print, £4.99, Bershka A piece that you will find yourself. wearing again and again, this yellow slogan T-shirt will pair especially well with denim shorts and chunky trainers.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Melanie Polka Dot Italian Floral, £315, Rixo Rixo has done it again with this summer-ready dress that's guaranteed to make you stand out from the crowd. The maxi style features a mixed print of ditsy florals and polka dots, loose billowy sleeves and a deep V-neck. Dress yours up with kitten heels and a clutch bag for any big occasion.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Playsuit with Belt, £34.99, H&M Whether you're heading off on holiday or soaking up the sun at home, playsuits are here to stay this summer. This khaki version from H&M features wide shoulder straps, patch pockets at the front and a detachable belt to cinch your waist.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Half Moon Croc Embossed Crossbody Bag, £85, & Other Stories This yellow crossbody bag will add a welcome shot of colour to even the most lacklustre of ensembles. Designed with a half moon silhouette it features a croc embossed finish and a leather strap so you can keep your hands free for cocktails.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Double Buckle Footbed Sandals, £35, Office Forget heels because this season is all about comfortable sandals. Complete with chunky soles and double straps, this pair comes in a classic tan colour meaning they'll pair with almost everything in your wardrobe.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Smocked Cotton Top, £19.99, H&M Milkmaid-style sleeves are one of this season's standout trends and it's not too late to get on board. This option from H&M comes in a cotton weave with broderie anglaise and a smocked bodice for extra style points.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Black Rectangle Frame Sunglasses, £7.99, New Look A pair of sunglasses should be at the top of your summer shopping list. We like this pair from New Look which tap into the trend for tiny specs with a small rectangle frame and tinted lenses. They're not just for show either, offering category 3 UV protection.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Printed Shirt-Style Blouse, £29.99, Zara Hawaiian-style shirts might remind you of your dad but they're also one of the hottest trends for this summer. Turn-up the sleeves on this bright floral option from Zara and wear with white denim jeans and flat sandals for the weekend.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Heeled Strappy Sandals, £115, Cos A comfortable pair of heels will make a great addition to your summer wardrobe, especially if you've been invited to lots of weddings. These leather mid-heel shoes feature trendy tubular straps, a square-shape toe and ankle straps.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Red Ditsy Floral Tie Front Top, £17.99, New Look Update your sunny-day staples with this red ditsy floral top. Wear with denim jeans and flatform sandals by day or a ruffled mini skirt and heels by night.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Long Dress with Lace Details, £49.99, H&M A dress that you can wear again and again, this ankle-length number will work for picnics, pub lunches and al fresco dinner dates. It's also surprisingly lightweight, meaning you can wear it comfortably from day to night.
New-in fashion pieces to buy on the high street in July Denim Shorts, £35, Arket Cut from a rigid denim twill made of organic cotton, these five-pocket shorts are styled with a relaxed fit and fall to a mid-thigh length. Give yours a Nineties throwback vibe by wearing with a half-tucked graphic T-shirt and biker boots.
Inspired by the catwalk designs of Dior , Valentino and Roksanda, we’ve noticed a trend on the high street for breezy midi dresses and floaty skirts, while tops with milkmaid sleeves – as seen on the runway at Alexander McQueen – should sit high on your shopping list.
To help make getting dresses in the coming months easier, we’re keeping you up to date on what’s new from some of our favourite stores this month.
Click through the gallery to see our favourite high street picks for July.
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