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Heating up

How to dress in a heatwave as temperature soars

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best-outfits-heatwave

SUMMER has arrived at long last, as Britain has been hit with a heatwave to rival European hotspots.

While some may be basking in the sun's rays, others may be finding the humidity a little stifling, especially if you are in an office or with limited access to the outdoors.

Best outfits to wear in a heatwave from cool linen to soft cotton
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Best outfits to wear in a heatwave from cool linen to soft cotton

Even if you are fortunate to have an outdoor space to enjoy,it can still be difficult to dress in this weather.

But we are here to lend a helping hand.

First and foremost, lightweight fabrics, such as cotton or linen, are a must, or sweat-wicking fabrics, which are often found in gym wear to keep you cool.

We would also advise staying clear from nylon, silk or satin, as they cling to your body when you are feeling a little hot in the heat, and sweat tends to show on the fabric.

Loose fitting outfits, which are breathable, are a hit, as they don't stick to you.

We have sifted high and low to find a variety of outfits, to take you from day to night and keep you cool and comfortable this summer.

1. Pure Cotton Floral Square Neck Midaxi Dress

We love this print
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We love this printCredit: MARKS AND SPENCER

This Pure Cotton Midaxi dress is a hit.

Not only do we love the vibrant print, and the cool cotton fabric, but that it is loose fitting, flattering, and covers the stomach or arms, which some may feel conscious of.

  • Pure Cotton Floral Square Neck Midaxi Dress, £39.50, M&S -

2. Olympia Crop Top and Skirt Co-Ord

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We love a co-ord, and we love Nobody's Child's summer take on the style.

Though you can buy the pieces separately to style as you wish, and believe us when we say there's a multitude of ways to do so.

  • Olympia Crop Top, , and Skirt Co-Ord, £59, from Nobody's Child -

3. Striped cotton-blend dress

We can't get enough
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We can't get enoughCredit: MANGO

Mango has dropped its summer range, and it is not to be missed.

From vibrant colours and bold patterns across dresses, trousers, and everything in between, it is the one stop shop for your holiday wardrobe.

  • Striped cotton-blend dress, £59.99, Mango -

4. Towelling Shirt And Short 3 Piece Scrunchie Set

Great for holidays!
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Great for holidays!Credit: nASTY GAL

We keep seeing a lot of people in towelling outfits, especially on holiday.

Whether you are lounging around indoors, heading to the park on the weekend, or the beach, this towelling set will keep you cool, but also draws out any moisture after a dip in the sea.

  • Towelling Shirt And Short 3 Piece Scrunchie Set, £39.20 (Was £49), NastyGal -

5. White Broderie Wrap Mini Dress

Broderie screams summer
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Broderie screams summerCredit: river island

Yes. Yes. Yes. Come the summer months broderie is all we see, and we are here for it.

This lightweight, broderie cotton fabric is not only cooling, but gives a little feminine detail, to take your daytime dress to the next level.

From the puff sleeves to the wrap front, and tie belt detail, this dress ticks all the boxes in our opinion.

  • White Broderie Wrap Mini Dress, £46, River Island -

6. White Oversized Shell Shirt Dress

A great summer option!
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A great summer option!Credit: Never Fully Dressed

While it is hot out there some may still want to wear a cover-up, whether you are at the beach, or on a shopping spree, and this shirt dress is the one to snap up.

The shirt dress can be layered over jeans and a t-shirt, over a bikini like a kimono, or on its own with a slip underneath as a loose dress.

  • White Oversized Shell Shirt Dress, £99, Never Fully Dressed -

7. Black Linen Blend Lace Up Side Midi Dress

You can go no wrong with linen
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You can go no wrong with linenCredit: new look

Linen is perfect for summer, as it is lightweight, soft, breathable and keeps you cool.

This design will take you from day to night, as it features a thigh high split, as well as lace-up tie detail on the sides.

  • Black Linen Blend Lace Up Side Midi Dress, £29.99, New Look -

8. ASOS DESIGN culotte trouser

Don't fancy a skirt?
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Don't fancy a skirt?Credit: ASOS

In the summer it is too hot to wear jeans, however, some may not feel comfortable in a pair of shorts, so enter ASOS' culottes.

Not only are they lightweight, and floaty, so you can move around easily without feeling restricted, but they also work as great pieces for the transition between seasons.

  • ASOS DESIGN culotte trouser, £20, ASOS -

9. 501® ROLLED SHORTS

An investment
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An investmentCredit: Levis

A pair of shorts are a summer staple, there's no doubt about it.

When we think of trusted denim shorts, we instantly think of Levis, which have stood the test of time.

  • 501® ROLLED SHORTS, £60, Levis -

10. Struttin' Mini Dress

Super loose, so it's super comfy
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Super loose, so it's super comfyCredit: Free people

Free People has a wide range of stunning summer pieces, but this mini dress has piqued our interest.

Wear as a cover up for a day at the beach, in the daytime, for brunch, or in the evening, either way, we know you will feel cool and comfortable in it all day long.

  • Struttin' Mini Dress, £52, Free People -

11. Pure Linen Oversized Shirt

M&S strikes again
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M&S strikes againCredit: Marks and spncer

If this summer you don't own a linen shirt - or three - it's time you add it to basket.

Layer over a top with jeans, or dress, for extra coverage, and even at the beach, there's no right or wrong way to wear.

  • Pure Linen Oversized Shirt, £29.50, M&S -

12. Skinny Tie Midi Wrap Skirt

We love this colour
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We love this colourCredit: Warehouse

For those heading into the office and wanting something smart, yet casual, appropriate and cooling to see through their 9 to 5, a wrap skirt is a great solution.

It is flattering with the wrap waist detail, but it is also floaty to keep you cool, and not too skimpy for those serious business meetings.

Pair with a t-shirt, vest top, or blouse, flat shoes or heeled sandals, and you have a number of looks with just one outfit.

  • Skinny Tie Midi Wrap Skirt, £38.50, (Was £55) Warehouse -

13. Flounced Linen Mini Skirt

Available as a co-ord or on its own
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Available as a co-ord or on its ownCredit: & Other stories

Show off your legs, and feel the sun on your limbs with this mini number, which is made from linen that will keep you cool, while the ruffled edge and tropical print channels those summer vibes.

  • Flounced Linen Mini Skirt, £65, & Other Stories -

14. Plunge Tiered Wide Leg Jumpsuit

This screams cool
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This screams coolCredit: Pretty Little Thing

PLT's Wide Leg Jumpsuit is chic, and floaty, which is ideal for those who want to look glam, effortless, and enjoy a little breeze through the lightweight.

  • Plunge Tiered Wide Leg Jumpsuit, £45, Pretty Little Thing -

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