My August Very Picks

It's August. The beginning of the end of lazy hazy summer and the prelude to autumn. I did a few picks for Very with this in mind - easy transitional pieces which will take me through the last few days of summer and in to the cooler days of September. I like to think ahead and I like transitional pieces - I'm not really a summer girl, I like to be covered up generally.

First up, the Flora blouse from Monsoon. 

This is a light airy blouse which is perfect for holidays abroad when you just want a little coverage from the sun without looking too Amish and you just want to pop out in the evenings looking put together but not too much. You know - that relaxed French girl vibe I love so much! The feather embroidery is a sweet touch - I've never been too much for one for stars but feathers - they have a certain charm.

I've also always liked a sleeved top when it's quite hot as I just prefer long sleeves to a ton of suncream for reducing the burn factor. Teamed with a pair of denim shorts, you get all the holiday vibes. However, it will take you happily in to September as a general everyday wear piece with a pair of jeans. You just look like you've tried a bit because the feather detail is just so pretty. And look, it's perfect for a night out too!

Next up, I picked my favourite kind of dress. A #buffetdress. Grazia calls them tent dresses but buffet dress is my favoured term and I know that name has been affectionately adopted by many. 

Now this is technically a midi dress if you're 5ft 6. I'm 5ft 1 so it's a maxi on me - no biggie. It just means it works on tall girls and small. The autumnal shades in the print are perfect for now - soft hues which I offset with candy pink Converse. Not quite a perfect match and I like it that way. I don't like too matchy matchy.

The dress comes with a removable slip - I quite often give up on dresses where I have a full on body fight trying to wrestle myself in to the right armhole of a dress with one of these slips which are sewn in to place. It's not funny and it's not clever. However what I did with this dress is use my own slip which is a touch shorter and comes to the knee. And then I get the lovely Princess Di effect when the sun's behind you. I'm just a hussy! 😜

Last picks now. Can I be honest here - I'm not a big leopard fan. I have a dabble but I'm not a fully fledged Bet and nor do I want to be. However, I can do leopard if it doesn't scream leopard in the usual way - like if it's blue leopard spots! 

This Whistles skirt is just such a summery looking skirt worn with a tee or cami top for hot days. I have to say I'm a bit of a sucker for a Whistles skirt, the fabrics chosen for the designs are always just so and they hang beautifully. This one is a wrap skirt - I prefer these because you can always adjust them to fit rather than with a fixed waistband. Just a bit snug - move the buttonhole a fraction. It's not hard but it can make all the difference. 

And did you spot the Birkies? The white Birkies? I had a pair from about four or five years back which are pretty worn in, very tired and not so white so I couldn't resist upgrading to a new pair. I always size down in Birkenstocks. That doesn't mean to say you should - it's just a lot of people do and then again a lot of people don't. My last pair I sized down and this pair I did too. I did try some in my regular size in a store just to make sure that I needed the size down and they were basically like boats. Stylish boats but boats for sure. So I size down. And why white? Because white is always fresh. Black is edgy but I never reach for black footwear, the way I do with white so I wanted something in my shoedrobe that I would wear. Interestingly, these didn't actually take any breaking in which my original ones did. And I have both the Arizona and Madrid styles. The Madrid is pretty and leg lengthening but the Arizona - I like the extra support of that top strap - there's just a little less toe gripping going on.

And come September, stick on that jumper or sweatshirt with it and you have a perfect running around outfit. See!

Onwards to September!