I've Spent My Life Building Outfits—These 5 Work So Well in Summer

Summer is the joyful season of throw-on outfits. There are places to go, people to see and so many more exciting things to enjoy than rummaging through your closet and figuring out what to wear. In the winter, you can't avoid the effort that's required to layer up and stay cosy, but as temperatures rise and we emerge from hibernation, there are certain outfit formulas that we can rely on to get out the door quick smart.

I've spent many years honing my repertoire of get-up-and-go looks, and this is the summer they'll really come into their own. With restrictions easing and calendar invites increasing, a few solid ensembles will ensure you nail the dress code every time, get plenty of wear out of capsule-wardrobe essentials and feel cool and comfortable in the process. There are weddings, parties, picnics, holidays, dinners, BBQs and everything in between, and the chic looks up my sleeve not only stand the test of time but also work for many events. One under-the-radar brand just so happens to have all the vital pieces I need to create these outfits: AlphaTauri.

AlphaTauri creates timeless pieces that become the hardest-working staples in any closet. Each item is designed with fashion and style in mind, of course, but there's so much more to every single piece in this brand's collections, and its latest summer drop is no exception. You'll find advanced fabric technology that, although subtle, makes a real difference in your wearing experience. Take the incredible knitted body-con dresses, for example. They're made from mercerised cotton, which is ultra cool and breathable. They also come with a stretch lining, so they fit like a glove, which makes the other (far clingier and less flattering) body-con dresses out there seem incredibly inferior. Or how about the chic Tauroban Parka? It's water-repellent, super lightweight, adjustable in its waistline (so you can create different silhouettes) and, perhaps best of all, packable into an internal pouch—genius for our unpredictable British climes!

All of these innovative yet versatile gems can be mixed and matched into multiple looks to see you across the season and well into the colder months, but there are a few tried and true combinations that I have leaned on recently. Keep scrolling to see and shop the five easy summer outfits you can create with AlphaTauri's new range.

Colourful midi dresses often need very little styling support. They're an easy instant outfit to beat all other easy instant outfits. Yellow has been trending for quite a few summers in a row and shows no sign of waning, especially when the vibrancy is dialled up to 10 as it is with AlphaTauri's incredible Colourblock Knit Tube Dress. This refined piece also comes in an equally pretty turquoise colour.

Should you stay out late or should the weather look uncertain, you'll be thrilled to know that biker jackets are back, and AlphaTauri's soft Nappa leather jackets are a joy to wear. They're dyed in a chrome-free process, which is kinder to the environment, and they feature welcome details such as a waist belt for a more customisable fit and a soft lining that makes them more comfortable to wear without layers underneath. You'll be surprised at just how frequently you'll reach for an off-white biker—trust me.

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It's the year of the wide-leg trouser, but this cut will forever be in fashion. For a very 2022 take, keep things minimal and understated. This is something that AlphaTauri does very well.

I fell in love with the cut and feel of these perfect-fit linen trousers. I'm 5'1'', and these trousers hit just at the right point, so they're easy to wear with either heels or flats, and they're true to size, which eases the normally arduous process of finding a great pair of tailored trousers. They work seamlessly with casual combinations, such as this tee and parka formula, but you could quickly smarten them up for work with a shirt or blouse. The fabric is sustainable enough to segue into autumn and would look particularly expensive with a matching navy knit.

As for the packable parka, well, I'm sold. From its many practical credentials to the design details (aka the drawstring waist and the exaggerated collar), this hard-working piece has as much "wow" factor as it does ingenuity. You could throw it on with leggings during your downtime or wear it over a suit for work. It can do it all.

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If you've been searching for a dress that works for every possible occasion, look no further. The elevated T-shirt dress AlphaTauri has created magically transforms from super casual with flats to formal with heels and a smattering of jewellery. The fact that it has pockets makes the overall style feel more relaxed, but a subtle little side split adds sass. The moisture-absorbing Filagen® fabric means it's a dream to wear on a hotter day, a holiday or a night on the dance floor at a wild wedding! Personally I love how elegant and confident this looks as an evening option and that was the instant outfit idea that sprung to mind. With with the simplest of upgraded accessories for an after-dark soirée you can have a really striking look that feels oh-so-comfortable to slip into. 

It comes in a few different colours (navy, yellow and soft turquoise), so you can go for a bold option or keep things very low-key.

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Look at any street style gallery, and you'll see frame after frame of women wearing oversized shirts with tailored trousers in a range of neutral hues. It's a pairing that never dates. There are small tweaks you can make to ensure the duo looks modern, like baring a little skin by unbuttoning your button-down or layering with a plain vest.

Here are my favourite linen trousers in a rich taupe, which work just as well with dark tops as they will with lighter colours. The navy shirt may appear simple at first, but there's a huge amount of detail here. Again, we have the Filagen® fabric that's literally cool to wear but also has a matte, silky finish. There are overlapping pleated panels at the back and splits at the side, which help the shirt move beautifully and make it easy to layer without looking bulky. You can also find this fabric in a pair of matching shorts for a breezy summer co-ord.

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Last but not least is this unique dress. It has the same silhouette as the knitted tube dress but ramps it up a notch with graphic colour-block shapes. This is the kind of piece that prompts people to ask, "Where did you get that?" As such, you don't need to worry about complicated styling moves to impress anyone. This midi does all the talking.

If you're on holiday when that late-night breeze sets in, or if you're having a day out and about in your hometown, I'd suggest packing one of AlphaTauri's lightweight Filagen® shirts to chuck on top. Knotting or unbuttoning the shirt also gives the body-hugging dress a more casual feel. For a more evening or party-ready formula I'd suggest adding statement earrings offset by an up 'do, heels (a pair of white sandals will do nicely) and a little clutch bag.

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