This week's heatwave caught me somewhat by surprise and made me suddenly aware of the gaps in my summer wardrobe. So I have spent the last 24 hours searching for easy-to-wear sundresses, linen separates and comfortable sandals.
After a few hours of browsing new-in sections, it became clear that there are three high-street brands that are really excelling when it comes to a hot-weather capsule—Arket, Zara and COS. Whether you like your summer clothes to be loud and adventurous or simple and classic, there's likely an item for you below. Zara caters to those who want summer clothing with heaps of personality such as colourful crochet dresses and unusual silhouettes, while Arket is the place to go for a minimalist summer capsule in beige and white. COS falls somewhere in between the two with a mix of plain, but still interesting, dresses and a jazzy colour palette.
Keep scrolling for the 30 hot-weather buys I love from Zara, COS and Arket.
Arket
The perfect straw bag to finish all your summer looks.
Airy linen is a must for warm summer days.
The matching linen shorts are just as good.
These monochrome flatform sandals are a minimalist dream.
Style with your favourite jeans or the matching skirt below.
A flowy skirt is a must for hot summer days. Plus, this skirt has pockets.
The wide brim will offers good protection from the sun.
A throw-on-and-go dress for easy summer styling.
This spacious tote is a true carryall.
I'm a big fan of the relaxed fit.
COS
This is a favourite with our editors.
A linen shirt is a must for hot days, and this bold green is a total win.
Wide-leg trousers were made for summer days.
Wear with bare legs or open over colour-pop trousers.
This denim dress can be styled for a relaxed look with trainers or elevated with mules.
Fisherman sandals are a hot trend this season.
The soft A-line structure makes this comfortable for hot days.
Rely on these for summers to come.
There's truly nothing not to like about this dress. It even has discreet pockets.
This sunny swimsuit has a beautiful low back.
Zara
Airy crochet styles are perfect for hot weather.
Go bold with the matching shirt (£30).
Cut-outs remain a trending motif this season.
This zesty swimsuit it the perfect colour for summer.
A twist on a classic—literally.
Wear beyond the beach with a white shirt or one-shoulder top.
Focus on the design details: bead appliqués and an asymmetrical hem.
Tie around the handle of your bag or style as a bandana.
This looks really expensive.
Soft satin in bold hues. Pair with an oversized shirt or a bikini top.
Next up, the 19 classic pieces I always buy from the high street.
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