How to Wear Black and White in Summer #iwillwearwhatilike

We seem to be having a summer in the UK. Not just sunshine, but actual heat… It’s pretty much unheard of in June. But as someone who adores summer, you’ll get no complaining from me: I break out the summer wardrobe and rejoice!

This outfit was worn just before it got hot hot (it’s about 29°C today*), so I actually think I’d be too hot in my striped maxi skirt and tucked-in top this week. However I wore it out in the evening, and although here it usually gets colder at night and you need a light jacket or a cardigan, we’re now getting the balmy evenings too which is a godsend.

I bought the skirt a couple of years ago at Marks & Spencer and although I’ve expanded a little(!) since then, it still fits fine because of the jersey material. Being black and white would mean it’s easy to style, but I get confused by black, or black and white…. Give me bold colour any day!

I decided to play it simple and went for black and white with a pop of colour.

(And oh how I WISH someone would come up with a better phrase than “pop of colour”… It’s been around for ages and just sounds a bit naff to me, like the word “trendy”. If you have a better expression for it then pleeeease do tell me in the comments!)

I pretty much kept everything black or white except for those fab Asos SS16 espadrilles (similar) – I’m sooo excited It’s the right weather to wear them again. They were last seen in September last year, when I used them as part of a bright accessories story: I guess that’s what I’m doing with them here too.

SHOP THE LOOK:

 

It’s the accessories that really make this outfit. The skirt and top are pretty basic, but add in a funky bag and shoes and then the pièce(s) de résistance – the pearl-effect sunglasses and pearl hoop earrings, and you are SORTED. I’ve become quite attached to these sunglasses lately and really not keen on wearing any others (see how they look with a wedding guest-worthy dress here).

If you want to see more statement sunnies like these then head over to last week’s shopping post where I picked out 60 cooler-than-average statement sunglasses for you (you’re welcome 😉).

Finally… You know when you can match your outfits to your surroundings? Well, I matched my outfit to the local wildlife. You’ll see what I mean when you scroll down to the last two pictures… clever, eh?!

Do add your outfits to this week’s link up – and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured next week!

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING IN THE HEAT (AND DO YOU HAVE ANY ALTERNATIVE EXPRESSIONS FOR “POP OF COLOUR”)? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!

*I do know that 29°C (84°F) isn’t anywhere near as hot as some countries’ temperatures, but in the UK it’s a humid heat and we generally don’t have air con except in newer cars, city centre shops and large corporate offices. I worked in a south-facing office with floor-to-ceiling windows for 11 years that didn’t have air con. It was HORRIFICALLY hot in the summer….!

– DON’T MISS A SINGLE POST –

 

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Skirt: Marks & Spencer (similar)
Top: Jacques Vert c/o (I like this one)
Espadrilles: ASOS SS16 (similar)
Bag: Zara (I like this one)
Sunglasses: Warehouse
Earrings: ASOS (on sale!)
Gold stars ring: Lizzy O c/o
Cows: A Devon farm

 

OTHER BLACK & WHITE MAXI SKIRTS TO TRY:

 

 

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Thank you for joining the #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!

The link up goes live every Monday at 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking up etiquette…

CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!

Featured favourites

My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:

(L-R) RetroChicMama | The Style Crone | Northwest Mountain Living

To get yourself featured next week, make sure you’ve included a link back to Not Dressed As Lamb or my button in your post/sidebar!

DO SHARE THE LOVE AND VISIT AS MANY LINKS AS YOU CAN (YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT OTHER LOVELY LIKE-MINDED LADIES YOU MIGHT MEET) – THE ORIGINAL INSTAGRAM CAMPAIGN FORGED SOME WONDERFUL NEW FRIENDSHIPS SO DON’T MISS OUT!