Citizen Femme speaks to four fashion insiders about the pieces on their spring/summer wish lists, the brands they reach for season after season, and the items they’ll be re-wearing over the next few months.
As we enter the new season, pack away our winter clothes and prepare ourselves for the inevitable wardrobe change, we’re taking inspiration from some of London’s fashion industry critics.
Read on for the insider track into this season’s hottest trends and styling tips to help you fully embrace the spring/summer you.
Gemma Louise Deeks, Contributing Fashion Editor at Citizen Femme
Citizen Femme’s Gemma Louise Deeks has spent over 10 years as a fashion editor and stylist and has her finger on the pulse of the most covetable brands to invest in.
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What are your go-to brands for spring/summer?
Australian brands like SIR and Posse are perfect for the warmer months; I love their elevated linen pieces and simple dresses that work for both the city and the beach. They are so easy to style and make summer dressing a breeze. Scandi brand Toteme is also great for polished basics, and offers a modern uniform that you will love for years to come.
Which trends have caught your eye this season?
I am not one for buying into trends, but I am loving this season’s barrel-leg jeans! Particularly the Luna style from AGOLDE. I can see myself wearing them all summer with a simple white tank top, gold earrings and strappy heels.
Tell us about your spring/summer style…
My personal style is quite minimal, so I lean towards neutral pieces that I can style in different ways. You will usually find me in a vest top with denim, suede Birkenstock Arizona sandals, and finished off with a classic trench coat in the spring.
This season, you’ll be re-wearing…
My Toteme silk co-ord was a godsend for me last summer, I packed it for all my travels. It’s so easy to style up or down, and can be thrown over a bikini at the beach or worn as a comfortable travelling look. I paired the shorts with a RAEY strapless bandeau top. My Dragon Diffusion black woven bag was one of my favourite buys last summer; it’s also so versatile and looks great with everything. Now I want to invest in more colours.
Summer staple?
My Deiji Studios linen co-ord. It is such a hard working set and has seen me from beach to bar – and everything in-between.
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What pieces are on your wish list?
Hannah Lewis, Fashion Director at Threads
Beyond her work as a fashion director, Hannah is one of the most followed ‘It’ girls in the industry, known for her cool contemporary looks and impeccable eye for minimalist style.
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Which brands do you reach for during spring/summer season?
Toteme, The Frankie Shop, Khaite, Christopher Esber, Jacquemus. In the summer I love to play around with lighter layers and buy into staples that I will bring back out each year. I don’t tend to buy into strong fashion trends during the summer and instead stick to minimalism, which is why I prefer to invest in summer pieces – so I can re-wear them.
And for accessories?
Chanel, Prada or Miu Miu. I often have my eyes on a new Chanel shoe for summer; previously I’ve bought into the Dad Sandals and the ballet flat. This year, I think the velvet flip flop from the runway is calling. I’ll wear them all summer long.
Trend of the moment?
I’m really into the sheer trend at the moment – in the form of pretty much anything! Skirts with big pants underneath, delicate semi-sheer tops that I’ll style back to tailoring. I also always buy into summer whites and gravitate towards great textures.
At this time of year, we’ll find you wearing…
Neutrals and classic silhouettes that have a point of interest, i.e. an asymmetric cut or a luxe fabric. You’ll either find me in an oversized breezy tailored look or something intricate and cutout – Christopher Esber style.
The pieces you’ll be re-wearing this season include…
Raey and The Frankie Shop tailored trousers, Toteme linen and silky pyjama-style pants and Chanel footwear. And then I will usually update my wardrobe with new tops and blazers.
Tell us a hot-weather staple?
This is so simple, but a white tank top. I wear either James Perse or Toteme and it’s such a key item. I reach for it daily when styling my look.
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What pieces are on your wish list?
Carina Nicklas, Creative Consultant
With over 150k instagram followers, Carrie’s impeccable aesthetic and enviable collection of luxury pieces has made her the girl to follow for elevated inspiration.
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Tell us about your spring/summer go-to brands?
I have a few that I’ve stuck with for a couple of years now. First is Liberowe, they are known for their iconic peplum jackets and I love the linen version for spring. Also La Collection, especially the Jacqueline dress and Yasemine blazer dress – effortless and super chic. FWSS for good basics, and By Malene Birger for blazers and trench coats. I also love The Row, Khaite, Jil Sander and Camilla and Marc. For shoes I love A di GAETA from Milan.
Talk to us about trends: are there any you like this season?
I always ask myself will this be a forever piece and will I wear it season after season? I love to invest in high-quality pieces and vintage items. I’m really drawn to the 90’s minimalism and no logos – except for a few Old Céline pieces I own. I’m currently on the lookout for a unique hat with personality, like we saw on the runway from Altuzarra this season, for example.
Describe your spring/summer style…
My personal style is quite minimal and I always wear something more oversized and flowy during this season. I love a great pair of blue jeans (vintage Levi’s, Khaite, Agolde and Nili Lotan) and a simple but chic white shirt from Sessei – or men’s shirts. I have a flowy white set from FWSS that I wear season after season. During summer evenings I’ll wear a chunky knit or cardigan on top.
Shop your own wardrobe this season: what are you wearing?
My Alaïa mesh ballet flats that I bought before the hype, and still love! And ballet flats in general. A gorgeous Camilla and Marc trench coat, lots of belts and vintage pieces, like an old Burberry coat, Gucci blazer and linen pieces. For accessories, my beloved Saint Laurent sunglasses.
Name a summer staple…
A Jil Sander swimsuit that can be worn as a top too, and silk scarves to wear as sun protection or as a top.
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What pieces are on your wish list?
Diana Bell-Heather, Online & Social Media Editor at Fenwick
A lover of colour and print, you’ll find former journalist Diana scouring the next best thing across the fashion capitals, and often wearing it too.
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Which brands are a must for your spring/summer wardrobe?
Alémais is a fresh brand from Australia that has been gaining momentum and the price point is really good. I love the eye-catching prints, statement sleeves and beautifully-made linen pieces. British-brand Aligne has minimalist pieces that offer an amazing fit: their butter yellow blazer was an instant sellout, but I have my eye on the Melon Utility Jacket. It’s a great transitional piece. Lastly, SIR is romantic, sexy and fun, and my go-to for feminine dresses – I’m smitten with their Frankie printed silk dress at the moment.
And for swimwear?
Hunza G’s super-flattering silhouettes are my go-to for swimwear. I love how the signature fabric feels on the skin, and they always have a great selection of colours.
Top trends of the season?
I’m a little on the fence about mesh ballet flats, London might not be kind to them. But I might give in – I saw some cute high-street options at Massimo Dutti and Mango…. Butter yellow feels like a new neutral and is universally flattering, and Toteme’s jersey T-shirt style maxi dress is a perfect ‘throw on and go’ piece.
Spring must-have?
Spring is a great time to play with lighter jackets. I love my burgundy biker from Old Céline (Phoebe Philo), vegan leather blazer from Nanushka, pink Acne Studios bomber jacket and floor-sweeping trench coat from The Row.
Summer must-have?
It has to be linen separates like a set from Faithfull The Brand, LMND and Deiji Studios. There’s something really elevated yet relaxed about great linen pieces.
Wish list for either?
Second Summer has a gorgeous maxi white skirt that has been on my wish list for months.
Which pieces from your own wardrobe will you be re-wearing this season?
I have a few fun dresses from Zimmermann that signal summer to me. When I want a pop of colour, I turn to my crochet Farm Rio cardigan. I’m also a sucker for an oversized blazer – at any time of year – so I’ll be keeping The Frankie Shop Bea blazer that I snapped up on Vinted.
One item you can’t live without during hotter weather?
My chunky Louis Vuitton Sunset Flat Comfort sandals. They go with everything.
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What pieces are on your wish list?
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Any Questions or Tips to add?