It’s time to plan your sartorial return to normality, aided by your monthly dose of The CF Checklist.
With lockdown lifting we are reclaiming the weekend, which means new occasions to dress up! From picnics and walks, to our victorious return to our beloved restaurants, the order of the day is dress to be seen…
With the demise of the British high street, Warehouse lost its standing. However, it has remerged as an online-only presence and the SS21 offering has had many a Fashion Editor whispering amongst themselves RE it's newfound allure. Design-led and affordable, I am particularly taken with this gingham blouse. Ticking multiple trend boxes for the season ahead, it’s perfect for a spring picnic – and the socially-distanced sleeves are an added bonus too.
Reformation can always be relied upon for excellent summer dresses. Period. This mica dress is a classic Reformation silhouette: with a slim bodice, slightly puffed sleeve, and flowing midi skirt. As perfect for al-fresco dining as dressing for a summer wedding, we are totting up the cost per wear as we speak. Available in multiple prints, I’m particularly fond of 'Orange Grove' for a twist on classic florals.
Whilst hand sanitiser remains the number one handbag stalwart for spring, a chic pair of sunglasses is also an essential. With brighter days ahead it’s time to consider acquiring some signature shades to carry you through the season. With ‘go big or go home’ our mantra for post-lockdown dressing, this oversized Valentino pair caught my eye. The hexagonal shape makes a bold statement, whilst the tortoiseshell frames and soft green lenses make for versatile wearability.
After a mini heatwave, the great British weather is toying with us once again. With our social lives playing out entirely outdoors, outerwear that marrys style and fuction is an investment piece you won’t regret. Switch up a mélange of blacks, navys, and greys with a colour pop of bubblegum pink in the form of this double-breasted Sandro blazer. Thick enough to wear alone, or layer a knit underneath, the serotonin-boosting hue will hopefully manifest some sunshine.
There’s a coterie of footwear options to consider as we graduate from our slippers. A box-fresh pair of sneakers or buttery-soft ballet flat are both very good options. But if you’re feeling brazen, and want to show off that long overdue pedicure, a mule is an excellent choice. This pair from influencer favourite Manu Atelier has been sat in my virtual basket for a while. The Naomi has just a tiny kitten heel – let’s not go crazy now – but is enough to make me feel infinitely more polished for an outdoor glass of rosé with friends.
I’ve been mulling over options for a new handbag for the past few weeks. Do I want to go for an all-out revenge purchase – something ludicrously tiny in a zesty hue that barely fits my phone and keys in? Or, do I want something chic yet practical? The latter has won me over, and I’m looking to under-the-radar Spanish label HEREU to provide a helping hand. This oversized tote with a clean, minimalist design will see me through an array of social meet ups. It’s large enough to cart around extra layers and picnic essentials, and one day soon (I hope) will be the perfect beach bag too.
If you've already fallen for the charms of flared jeans, you don't need me to tell you how unbelievably flattering they are. Thigh-skimming and leg-elongating with a cool retro edge, you wont be able to stop admiring yourself. If you are not yet convinced, this Chloe pair will convert you. Cutting above the hips they wittle down your waist and the front press gives a tailoring nod, making them as suitable for work as play.
A midi skirt is a spring wardrobe staple and this monochrome iteration from Rixo has year-round appeal. Layer with a chunky roll knit and some long boots now, and pair with a silk camisole and strappy sandals on balmier days to come.
Image credit: NET-A-PORTER, SS21 Global Brand Campaign
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