With summer fast approaching and temperatures finally rising here in the UK, I've started to think about finding those easy yet elegant pieces I can add to my summer capsule wardrobe. More specifically, I'm interested in throw-on dresses that make choosing a polished outfit easy, whether I'm going to the office or out for dinner with friends. After hours of scrolling through my favourite retailers, I think I've found the perfect midi dress from Free People to wear from now into early autumn.

Free People's Free-Est Pepita Midi (£88) is designed with a slim, torso-skimming bodice and a slightly dropped A-line skirt to create a flattering silhouette you can easily take from day to night. The high neckline and slightly dropped armholes add a modern touch, but the midi length and pleated skirt keep it classic enough to last in your wardrobe for many years to come. I'd style it with suede sandals and a lightweight cardigan in the day, and kitten heels and a boxy blazer for evenings out. And with five colours to choose from, there's something to suit every taste.

The dress's bodice is made from 94% cotton and 6% spandex for extra stretch, whilst the skirt is composed of 100% cotton, so it's lightweight, breathable and ideal for the warm weather we'll (hopefully) continue to experience until autumn. Plus, the natural fibres make for a more durable item that will have a much longer lifespan than synthetic materials. At £88, it's not the cheapest dress on the market, but I think its timeless appeal and almost 100%-cotton composition make it well worth the price.

Scroll to shop Free People's Pepita Midi, and then browse some other easy, throw-on dresses I have my eye on for summer.

Shop Free People's Pepita Midi Dress:

Shop More Throw-On Midi Dresses I Love:

I've admittedly become a bit of a snob when it comes to jewellery. After years of wearing statement gemstone necklaces which didn't last long before the "jewels" began to fall out and cocktail rings which, yes, enviably made my skin green, I swore off cheap jewellery and instead began saving up for higher-quality pieces. I don't have a flush budget by any means, but for every 10 bits of affordable jewellery I passed on, I was able to put whatever I saved towards something, at the very least, gold-plated. High-street jewellery, however, has come a long way since then, and I'm incredibly impressed at what I've seen on offer this season.

Although I'm sure it's unintentional, the high street appears as if it has made a collective effort to refine its jewellery offering. Everywhere I turn, from Arket and Marks and Spencer to Zara and Jigsaw, jewellery keeps catching my eye. Indeed, there are statement pieces for which the high street is known and there's absolutely a place for in every jewellery collection, but there are more delicate options, too, should you prefer the fine, layered look.

Discovering the high street's beautiful bounty of affordable jewellery comes at the perfect time as we curate our party outfits and finish off (or, in some cases, start) our Christmas shopping. I know time is precious right now, so I've rounded up the best affordable jewellery from the high street for you. Scroll on to see it, categorised by store. Something tells me you'll be just as impressed by these finds as I was.

1. MARKS AND SPENCER

2. ZARA

3. & OTHER STORIES

4. JIGSAW

5. COS

6. THOMAS SABO

7. WHISTLES