Forget the high-street sundress – try these unexpected brands for summer cool
As soon as summer is on the horizon, we can all be guilty of diving into the first high street store which comes to mind and snapping up the first pretty sundress we see. This can mean you end up seeing countless others in exactly the same warm weather outfit as you – hello, the Zara spotted dress phenomenon of 2019.
There’s not necessarily anything wrong with that, but it might be more satisfying to make a more considered choice, and to add pieces to your summer repertoire from more unexpected sources. That way, you’re unlikely to see your outfit replicated in every park and restaurant you step into throughout the season.
One woman who knows the power of searching out less obvious labels is Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey, a former Vogue retail editor who believes that ‘we don’t need any more tat from brands that really don’t deserve our money’.
She is spearheading the VCHSUMMER campaign, which runs from 7-9 June and spotlights 27 specially selected brands. These labels epitomise ‘buying better’ (whether that’s ordering in small runs to reduce waste or having a social impact).
As you’d expect from a former Voguette, the labels Chadwyck-Healey has chosen are also super-stylish.
Here are eight brands guaranteed to deliver chic and elegant summer wardrobe updates which won’t be ubiquitous:
Mondo Corsini
For Italian sophistication
Linen dress, ￡340, Mondo Corsini
Mondo Corsini is the label to look to if you want to channel a sophisticated Italian taking a passeggiata after a long day at the beach; this season’s collection is inspired by the glamour of Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda. But it’s also designed with practicality in mind by founder Susan Corsini.
“Corsini knows what women want. Timeless styles in a palette that never dates,” says Chadwyck-Healey. “She knows her customers - some are curvy, some are busty, some hate their arms, some overheat.” Every piece, despite looking simple, is created with these potential anxiety points in mind. “The pared-back styles work brilliantly with both metallic jewellery as well as bold coloured semi precious stone jewellery,” advises Chadwyck-Healey, “and keep the mood light with raffia or jute accessories.”
Beaumont Organic
For versatile comfort
Cordelia top, ￡135 and Evora trousers, ￡125 both By Hannah Beaumont at Beaumont Organic
For wafty and cool summer looks with a subtly boho feel, look no further than Beaumont Organic. The pared-back pieces come in a sumptuous but surprising range of hues, with this summer’s collection comprising everything from lime green to ochre and black.
“I’ll be wearing separates this summer,” says founder Hannah Beaumount, who creates her own By Hannah Beaumont capsule collection and is her own best advertisement, showing how to style pieces to look effortless but still interesting.
“Our Cordelia top and Evora trousers are perfect for our changeable summer weather as you can mix and match them so easily. Throw the wide leg trousers on with the matching top or a white T and denim jacket, or dress them up with a smart top and leather jacket. The top is equally versatile worn with a floaty skirt or jeans” she advises. Feel is just as important as looks for Beaumont; “they are also super soft so you feel really comfortable whilst also looking smart and elegant”.
By Soren
For special statement pieces
Blouse, ￡295, By Soren
Sometimes all you need to bring your summer look to life are a few ‘personality’ pieces to mix with your staples. Chadwyck-Healy says that By Soren, with its ‘whimsical’ bow-front blouses and ruffled shirts is perfect for this.
“For me, it’s the photography and the choice of models – which this season include the beautiful 60-something Pia Vibeke Grace – that make this a unique offering on the British fashion scene,” says Chadwyck-Healey.
She advises wearing one of the label’s pretty linen pieces with denim or khaki classics you already own. “The interplay between feminine and masculine works every time”.
Arkitaip
For effortlessly cool linen
Blouse, ￡150 and trousers, ￡180, both Arkitaip
Gone are the days of linen having slightly frumpy connotations. In fact, labels like Arkitaip prove it can look, dare I say it, sexy – while still retaining the easy, relaxed feel many of us love it for.
“My go-to piece for this summer will be the Carla Blouse which is inspired by the traditional Austrian Dirndl Blouse, an ode to my Austrian heritage,” says the brand’s founder Lea Wiese. “For the beach, I’ll wear mine with a sarong, we’ve just done this amazing collaboration with artist Layla Andrews or with our Lena trousers for dinner. When the weather cools down, I’ll switch to pairing it with jeans, boots, and a leather jacket.”
Sarong, ￡185, Arkitaip
While the blouse’s cropped fit might scare some, pair it with high-waisted skirts or trousers so you show just a hint of skin at the waistline – a look which can be surprisingly flattering.
Aspiga
For flattering thrown-on dresses
Wrap dress, ￡100, Aspiga
If you’re after a flattering and versatile addition to your summer dress wardrobe, then Aspiga should be your first port of call. The label has stores, a website and a thriving catalogue business so there are plenty of ways to browse.
“Dresses dominate in block prints, block colours or with pretty embroidery,” says Chadwyck-Healey, “but the genius is that they sell shoes and accessories too so you can work out which dress sits with the right shoe. When shopping here, think ‘what will I love for years to come?’ – rather than that first ‘making-an entrance-in-a-new-dress’ moment.”
Initially inspired by founder Lucy’s holiday to Kenya in 2005, the label now works primarily with artisans there and in India to bring pieces made using traditional skills and techniques to our modern wardrobes.
Asceno
For laidback elegance
Allie Dress, ￡380, Asceno
We are probably all hoping for the kind of summer which Asceno seems to epitomise – casually glamorous, wafting around in luxurious silks or crisp cotton pieces without a care in the world.
While the collection includes shorts-and-shirt sets, pyjama-like co-ords and swimwear, it’s the dresses which founder Poppy Sexton-Wainwright will be reaching for. “One of my favourite pieces from our collection is the Allie dress. I have worn it to countless weddings and it’s my go to uniform for summer in the city,” she says. “And I always pack it when I go on holiday, as it can be worn to the beach barefoot for lunch, as well as dressed up with statement jewellery for the evening.”
Lisbon Dress, ￡425, Asceno
The Allie and Valencia dresses are excellent sleeveless options but for something that’s equally elegant but with more coverage, try the Lisbon shirt dress.
Kapara
For authentic and timeless Indian prints
Block print shirt, ￡145, Kapara
Kapara’s website is a true treasure trove and I’d bought a gift for a friend within minutes of scrolling its pages. But Chadwyck-Healey loves it for the good it is doing in India where its wares are made. “Founder Daisy Fellowes had me at hello,” she tells me. “She’s bringing together other fashion brands working in India that want to make a positive social impact, particularly in the education of young girls.”
Lily dress, ￡175, Kapara
Beautiful block printed dresses are Kapara’s calling card (many of them are made to order so expect a very small wait) but Chadwyck-Healey insists that anyone can incorporate the look into their outfits if a dress feels too statement. “A great waistcoat or gilet or knitted tank can break up your outfit so all we see is a flicker of block print. It doesn’t need to always steal the show,” she advises.
Yaitte
For a sleek and sporty look
Wave shirt, ￡225 and trousers, ￡250, both Yaitte
Your summer wardrobe doesn’t have to be full of floaty dresses and pretty prints. British brand Yaitte specialises in summer pieces with a more preppy feel.
“A cotton shirt is definitely the most hard-working piece in my wardrobe, and it’s without a doubt the perfect summer staple,” says founder Danielle Windsor. “For the next few months I’ll be living in our Fil Coupé Wave Shirt (a graphic twist on the classic pinstripe) paired with matching trousers when I need to look smart but comfortable for city meetings. And then I’ll layer it over our Mar swimsuit and denim bermuda shorts on holiday.”
She’s also championing a sporty alternative to the statement straw hat. “You won’t find me without a baseball cap. We have a great monogrammed version that we’ve just released in our signature varsity colourways. It’s a no-brainer for travel - much more compact than a wider-brimmed hat and robust enough for sun, sand and sea.”
