Brighten your summer: Bold colours, classic basics, and effortless style!

Capsule styling has been a fashion buzzword since Pa fell of the bus (and Ma tried not to laugh), but honestly, whenever I see the reference, I consider my neutral items, gathered over many years. It reminds me that those basic wardrobe staples could be worn with understated chic, or easily jazzed up a notch by adding something bright and cheerful to the mix… 

Of course, we need those monochrome basics as they never go out of style. However, with brighter colour palettes in demand again, I’m going all the way to colour my summer look pretty and cheerful.

You’ll notice some pieces featured here before, but styled differently now, mostly to add some sparkle to my (often) standard white for summer. I’m suggesting we go bold, mixing the colours and textures, creating a mutable selection of pieces to work for us. Kaleidoscopic charismatic choices come to mind.

Yes, our wardrobe should serve us and not the other way around as we are the stars of our own show. We epitomize how we see ourselves and how we wish to be perceived. By picking colours we know suit our lifestyle and colouring, blending colours has not been this much fun since the early Nineties, when we invested in those jewel colours to break away from our basic tans, blacks, greys, and browns after so many years.

Having fun with our closet never gets old. Got some items you know elevate your mood and look? Display them on the sofa or your bed. Now pick other pieces that will complement those colours and offer new meaning to stylish panache.

I’ve styled bright-coloured pants, such as my fuchsia linen tie-belt straight pants, with black and white before. This time, I’m adding navy, such a refreshing and softer option to black, and multicoloured tops to pick up the joyful hue.

I’ve also added my old fuchsia silky knit summer top to the tan linen pants. The top happens to be a perfect colour match for the fuchsia pants too, offering myriad choices to be bold and fabulous, which we own. Don’t you love when something old matches and elevates something new? I’m like a kid in a lolly shop, ha!

Love yellow? Mix it with tangerine (orange), and further flattering hues, the sky is the limit, or should we say the rainbow has never looked more delightful…

Are you a sucker for the blues, in every shade? Mix it up for a new style vibe. When we wear what we love, we exude confidence, which, I’m told, is sexy. If we feel awkward in an outfit, we need to set the stage for a different look. Work it, gorgeous…

Years ago, I worked with a superb stylist, who advised his clients to look at the colours of nature. See the sky, the lake and the ocean. See how those different shades of blue connect magically? Look at a flower patch of yellow, where daffodils, sunflowers, yellow roses all harmonise perfectly with orange blooms. Think of the many shades of green, and now look at your wardrobe.

The boho look has made a huge comeback and I’m so chuffed to have kept my skirts and tops of about 20 years ago as they are proving cool in the summer heat. The endless styling options, from boho shirts to simple summer knits, to simply adding a basic t-shirt to a flared skirt or palazzo pants, have me all fired up for this New Year.

Summer basics, such as winter white and bright white, never date. Add them to the brighter shades of happy when you’re in the mood. Make a statement. Be bold. Be beautiful. Exude YOU!

I’ve picked some items from my closet to demonstrate this play on colour, so, here’s wishing you a 2025 filled with fabulous shades of joy and always being on top of your individual style game.