Summer fashion: 20 ways to brighten up your wardrobe – in pictures

The blouson jacket Move on from the Gosling – or Mary Berry – bomber to a softer shape. Enter the blouson. Add embroidery for extra interest.
Bomber £60, by Topshop Photograph: Topshop

The Tee blouse Christened by Vogue’s June issue, the T-shirt/blouse hybrid works that laid-back look that’s very now: casual but a bit spesh. Vogue recommends Marni.
Broderie blouse, £65 by Whistles Photograph: Whistles

Midheel sandals The ability to walk from A to B is very fashionable in summer 2013. The midheel sandal – around 2in – is the secret. Embrace 70s mum styles, and enjoy happy feet.
Sandals, £65 by & Other Stories, stories.com Photograph: & Other Stories

The car coat On the catwalk at Miu Miu, the boxy 60s-style was sported by Laura Dern recently – in a grassy green. Take note – the pop of colour is key.
Car coat, £210 by Sessun, from asos.com Photograph: Sessun

A Cécile T-shirt First endorsed by Cara Delevingne, French brand Cécile is the T-shirt you want right now. Leopard-print circles, bold colours and Woody Allen gags are on offer.
T-shirt, £65, by Cécile, from start-london.com Photograph: Cécile

The full coverage dress Where Céline goes, fashion follows. The brand had model Daria Werbowy in a long-but-sleeveless dress for the spring ad campaign. A prescient solution for our less-than-perfect summer.
Layered pleat dress, £89, by Cos Photograph: Cos

Cropped trousers Exposing midriff – the zone of the season – is optimistic at the moment. Take a tip from French Vogue editor Emmanuelle Alt and make your ankles the focus. Cropped trousers and a stiletto – c’est chic
Cropped trousers, £29.99 by zara.com Photograph: Zara

Daisy print Thanks to Prada’s collection, daisies are practically the only flower on the high street this summer. Big and bold is best. Avoid ditsy.
DaisyDaisy dress, £39.50, by Marks & Spencer Photograph: Marks & Spencer

The dungaree dress Cynics who dismissed the dungaree trend, I give you its latest incarnation: the dungaree dress. More wearable, add a shirt and you’re good to go.
Dungaree dress, £30, by Miss Selfridge Photograph: Miss Selfridge

Jazzy jeans As neat, inky skinnies finally fade, your jeans now should have something about them. Lulu & Co’s vintage Levis with road-worthy stripes are the fashion choice.
Jeans, £195, by Lulu & Co, from matchesfashion.com Photograph: Lulu & Co

Chiffon sleeves Not brave enough to channel Gwyneth in her side-reveal dress? Go for the chiffon sleeve – it’s a real-life crossover.
Mesh insert top, £55, by Whistles Photograph: Whistles

Sleeves on a short dress A rainy night at the Baftas gave us the litmus test for how to dress up in a chilly summer. Sienna Miller was the perfect guinea pig. A short dress with sleeves – done.
Mid sleeve striped dress, £25.99, by Zara Photograph: Zara

The Statement sweatshirt Simple gray marl doesn’t cut it any more. To make it fashion, you need a print – the sillier the better. Blame Givenchy.
Motif sweater, £70, by MISBHV, from brownsfashion.com Photograph: MISBHV

A BTK skirt A miniskirt in weather below 20C is ill-advised. Instead, try below-the-knee lengths, as worn by Jessica Biel at Cannes. Add socks and heels for the fashion-editor look.
Skirt, £160, by J.Crew, from net-a-porter.com Photograph: J Crew

The co-ord Matchy-matchy is cool again. The co-ord sees fashion editors wearing the same print across separates – a cardi and a skirt, say. Think of it as the new twinset.
Top, £40, and Skirt, £36, both by Topshop, topshop.com Photograph: Topshop

Power espadrilles Classic espadrilles channel Picasso at Cadaques. For an overcast UK, add a bit of glitz. Prism’s espadrilles come in ponyskin, metallic leather and leopardprint. Hey presto: a fashion shoe.
Shoes, £140, by Prism Photograph: Prism

A great shirt A neat layering trick to wear under sweaters. Your shirt should be crisp and smart as an Ivy Leaguer’s. Undo that top button under pain of death.
Shirt, £65, by American Apparel Photograph: American Apparel

Yellow OK, so the sun might be behind a cloud most of the time but wearing yellow at least makes you remember it. Both Kate Middleton and Dasha Zuchova have taken this tack recently. We see their point.
Dress, £45, by River Island Photograph: River Island

Summer boots With your sandals gathering dust at the back of your wardrobe, enter the summer ankle boot. Think stocky heel, a zip and wear with BTK skirt.
Zip up boots, £165 by Russell & Bromley Photograph: Russell and Bromley

The Gatsby jumper Forget the suits. The best bit of Leonardo’s Gatsby wardrobe is the sweater he wears while sailing. In chunky, natural cotton, find an equivalent at Jigsaw. Yacht optional.
Washed linen sweater, £98, by Jigsaw Photograph: Jigsaw