I'm not sure about you, but I find summer outfit ideas, even as a fashion editor, trickier than their cooler-weather counterparts. It's easy to add interest with layers, but as the mercury rises and fewer clothes are required, pulling together a look that keeps you cool and hits the mark sartorially takes some thought.
Drawing inspiration from the wide variety of spring/summer fashion trends for 2025, there is a summer outfit idea for every occasion. Utilising pieces from your summer capsule wardrobe is key; these pieces act as a building block to support trend-led buys and ensure your seasonal look is put together.
From gorgeous dresses, to cooling trouser silhouettes, get the basics right and each summer you can add more trend-led styles or accessories to bring your look up to date, but what you shouldn't need to do is reinvent your style persona every year (unless you want to, of course).
Summer outfit ideas to try this season
What to wear in the heat is a challenge, but having a sharp rotation of summer outfit ideas that you can rely on will take some of the stress out of it. Collating some summer staples in neutral colours and light fabrics will form the base of great warm-weather looks, and you can build on those with hits of trending colours and shapes to bring your ensemble up to date.
Summer outfit idea: Midi dress
When it comes to the best summer dresses, the midi dress is the frock of the summer. Airy enough to keep those summer outfits cool, but long enough to stay smart and polished for occasionwear, a wardrobe of pretty dresses is a great fallback option for everything from weddings to summer outfits for work.
A one-and-done outfit, you'll instantly look and feel put together, whatever the temperature. And nailing what to wear over a dress will help you wear your chosen pieces right through the season, matching whatever changeable weather might occur.
The best midi dresses are a summer must-have. This length of dress can pretty much match any sartorial occasion. Style up with heels and a fascinator and you're wedding guest ready. Slip on a pair of the best white trainers and a denim jacket and you have a cool smart casual outfit for hanging out with friends at the weekend.
Raffia bags are big news this season, but so are raffia shoes, and this espadrille design with fabric tie ankle strap is perfect for pairing with any of the best wedding guest dresses this summer. The solid wedge makes it easier to wear for long periods, while the strap offers added security and support. A style loved by the Royals, you can be sure you'll get plenty of wear from these.
This canvas and leather combination is so chic, and the mini size makes it a great day bag. Large enough for the essentials, without feeling overwhelming, this bag features both shoulder and a crossbody strap for ease of use. The bright white against the cognac hue is fresh and elegant, perfect for a summer outfit.
2. Summer Outfit Idea: Trousers
When it comes to the perfect trousers for warm weather, opt for wider leg iterations as these will help to keep your look easy-breezy when it comes to summer outfit ideas. Opt for natural fabrics such as cotton, silk-blends, or linens for added breathability that will be much needed when the temperatures rise.
If you're new to this silhouette, when deciding what to wear with wide-leg trousers, it's all about balancing proportions. If you've gone for a wide leg hem, then ensure that the waistline of your outfit is nipped in to help highlight your shape. To emphasise the wide leg, you could keep your whole top half fitted, or you could look to exaggerated shoulders, or full sleeves to echo the width at the bottom of your outfit.
Think about the occasion you're wearing your wide-leg trousers to. For polished work outfits, lean into tailoring, adding a button-down shirt and even a blazer for a more formal finish. For a more laid-back approach, a pair of neutral wide-leg trousers can look great with a simple, tucked-in Breton t-shirt for timeless style.
A pair of culottes is a chic compromise between wide-leg trousers and a skirt. The front crease on this pair and slightly cropped hem help to lengthen legs and show off shoes. The high-waisted cut with accompanying belt helps to streamline your silhouette and show off your waistline. Tuck or half-tuck your top in to maximise this style.
A cotton shirt is a summer outfit staple, and this blue and white striped iteration can be slipped on under a blazer for instant polish, or worn half-tucked for a relaxed summer outfit idea. The slightly fuller sleeve gives an added feminine feel to this otherwise androgynous piece. To give this a more trend-led feel, try slipping on one of this season's most directional pieces, the waistcoat.
Taking notes from the best loafers for women, these mules fall somewhere between a polished work shoe and elegant summer flats. The twist detail gives these shoes a designer feel, and they're available in a stunning array of colours. A perfect flat shoe to wear with dresses too, this neutral iteration can work with bolder prints or other muted ensembles. Thanks to the pointed toe, you could certainly wear them with trousers as well.
3. Summer outfit idea: Skirt
For those who prefer separates or are a different size on the top and bottom, but still want the look of a dress, a skirt outfit for summer is a great option. Remember to keep on top of proportions. Wide hemlines, such as A-lines or full and flared skirts, need to highlight your waist or be more fitted on your top half so that you don't look swamped in fabric.
Fuller skirts are a great option for summer outfits. Not only do they feel soft and feminine, but they are naturally more breezy and cooling on the hottest of days. If you're worried about chub rub, try a pair of the best anti-chafing shorts underneath to save your thighs.
British clothing brand Boden is a great place to go for summer outfit buys. Whether you need to top up your basics, gorgeous blouses, chic skirts, and linen dresses, or need some show-stopping prints, this retailer has it all. This double-cloth smocked skirt comes in six colours and/or print options and has a fitted waist and flared hem for a gentle and elegant fit.
A Breton striped top is the ultimate weekend wardrobe piece. In spring and autumn, opt for long-sleeved iterations, but for the summer months, a short-sleeved Breton t-shirt is an absolute staple. Never out of fashion, team with everything from A-line skirts to your favourite indigo denim jeans, this striped design adds more interest than a plain tee but without compromising on polish.
Part sandal, part espadrille, this summer shoe offers the best of both worlds for those who don't know which to go for. The raised platform sole adds a good amount of height, but without the potential discomfort of wedges or heels, and the stable ankle strap ensures your foot will feel supported. The denim, cream, and beige colour combo makes this pair wearable with skirts, dresses, or jeans, for a shoe that maxes out its cost per wear.
4. Summer outfit idea: Shorts
A big summer style trend, Bermuda and longline tailored shorts are having a moment right now, so if you've ever wondered how to wear shorts, this summer is the time to take the plunge.
If you prefer upper thigh coverage, skip constrictive denim shorts and opt for light linen and cotton iterations that have slightly fuller leg shapes for a breezy and comfortable finish.
Tailored styles can be worn for summer office looks, depending on your work dress code, but dressy, printed iterations, with coordinating tops, also make a great choice for alfresco dinners both at home and abroad.
Once again, it's all about proportions, so if you've opted for a shorter hem length, look to shirt or crew neck silhouettes to balance your bottom half. To draw attention to your waist, tuck or half-tuck your top in, so that your shape isn't lost.
Shorts are one of those summer outfit ideas that can feel some people with dread, but it isn't all about Daisy Dukes when the sun shines. These longer line tailored shorts are perfect for pairing with a tucked-in, crisp white shirt for a city-ready look that's ideal for more relaxed office environments. You can also team this pair with its matching shirt for a chic co-ord.
To add a smart finish to your shorts, look for an elegant top that feels the complete opposite of 'beachy'. This high-neck top will balance the shorter hemline on the shorts, and the blue hue picks out one of the prominent colours in the print. The fluted sleeve adds a feminine feel and renders the whole look a little more occasion-ready.
A pair of neutral heeled sandals is a building block for a summer wardrobe. The season of occasions, whether it's the races or a wedding guest dress that needs dressing up, a pair of go-with-anything and everything shoes will put a stop to those sartorial meltdowns. This slightly terracotta tan colouring feels luxurious too.
5. Summer Outfit Idea: Jumpsuit
A jumpsuit makes for a brilliant summer outfit idea, thanks to its one-and-done aesthetic. As with trousers, wider legs will keep you feeling cooler, but look for waist-defining styles to keep your shape, or add a belt to help cinch in your middle.
While cotton and linen fabrications are the most breathable, a wide leg silhouette, even in jersey, will naturally have some cooling properties thanks to the breezy shape. If you're wondering how to style a jumpsuit, opting for neutral colours, as with dresses, will make them easy to rework multiple times for different occasions.
Use trend-driven jewellery and accessories to bring your look up to date and re-wear your favourite summer jumpsuits every year, without feeling dated.
A flattering jumpsuit will help you navigate summer outfit ideas with ease. This wide leg design helps to narrow a waistline and balance broader shoulders, whilst keeping you super cool as temperatures soar. Add a belt to help cinch you in at the waist and dress up with chunky gold and silver bangles to tie in the jewellery trends for 2025. Thanks to the black hue, this can be easily dressed up or down dependent on occasion.
Having a selection of belts in your style arsenal will help you rework silhouettes to better define your shape. From slipping them into jean belt loops for both style and practicality to highlighting your waist on dresses or jumpsuits, a rotation of neutral belts, or even some bright iterations to restyle old classics, will help you get more wear out of your wardrobe.
The most stylish sun hats are a brilliant investment, regardless of your holiday plans. The summer so far has seen some seriously high UV days, and aside from bagging yourself a pair of sunnies from the sunglasses trends 2025, a hat that shades your face and eyes from the heat of the day is a bonus piece of protection.
Regardless of the season, having a selection of outfit formulas you can wear on rotation will always make getting dressed and even shopping that little bit easier and more relaxed. These summer outfit ideas are just the beginning of the possibilities of how to put simple, seasonally appropriate silhouettes together, to help you maximise your wardrobe.
Understanding the shapes of clothing that work best for your body type, and leaning into these silhouettes throughout the year, dressing them up or down, depending on the occasion, will help you feel more confident in your clothes, whatever the weather.
Most importantly for summer outfit ideas, think about keeping cool - so breezy shapes and light fabrics that keep the air flowing, and of course, being aware of the proportions of your outfit and having great balance through your look..
