What's your key pieces....

[milkwagon]

...for spring/summer casual wardrobe? I'm fed up of buying shorts/t shirts/dresses/linen trousers in places like New Look which only seem to last me 5 mins or fall apart in the washing machine. It seems like false economy atm. So, with this in mind I was wondering what & where you would spend out on for key pieces - to add tops/flip flops/pumps etc from other shops that won't break the bank but can bring classic/key pieces up to trend?

Chinos are essential for me. I buy neutral shades from places like white stuff and gap when they have discounts. Theses can then be worn with convert, ballet pumps and sandals.
But they've gotta fit you right. I bought a nice pair from HM and the fit was crap so they are just sat in the wardrobe.
I also like to buy a few 'nice' tops that I then don't save for best, the kind of thing you think is expensive, but you feel nice when you wear them.

I know you said you were fed up of linen trousers but I have some great ones from Next in both black and white. Had them for a while now and they fit good and look lovely on.
A lovely summer frock or several is also a must for summer functions topped off with a bolero/pashmina.
A pair of wedges, a pair of nice flip flops and a pair of ballet shoes always see me through the summer days with some strappy heels for the evening.

Clothes: patterned skirts in neutral colours (2 knee-length, one midi - Gap or Fat Face); denim mini skirt (Gap); denim shorts (New Look); cropped denim jacket (River Island); silk blazer in a colour that suits you and goes with your other stuff (Coast); strappy vests in colours that suit you (Primark or Peacocks); a couple of thin cardigan/jumper things for layering (New Look or Fat Face); a couple of cotton tea dresses (internet, increasingly hard to find, usually vintage repro).

Accessories: nice sunglasses (Specsavers ); cheapie fake Converses (Sainsbo's); canvas bag for carrying sun cream etc in (Tesco); cheap sandals (Next or Tesco); a couple of interesting bead necklaces in summery colours (Ebay).

I think that covers it :).

Unless you're going somewhere warm for a long period of time I would stick to spring rather than summer wear. It will be good for March onwards and probably into late summer /autumn. Ankle length trousers (I love gap ones) are good as can be worn with brogues and other flats or heels.
Then cheapish tops- h and m, esprit, uniqlo etc.
A lightish grey, beige or navy fitted blazer, pkus some cotton cardis and lightweigh stripey jumpers.

I agree with mewkins re choosing spring rather than summer clothes, I think layers is key in Britain's climate!

I've given up on 'summer clothes' because I only ever wear that stuff on holiday and even then I feel like a bit of a tit because the colours are too garish and the fabrics are often cheap and sweat inducing because I can't afford silk floaty tops so get chiffon.

In summer I mostly wear

lightweight supersoft jeans
skinny flare jeans
layers of very thin vest tops and t shirts
Fine knit cardis and jumpers
Skirts I can also wear with tights in colder weather like jersey pencil skirts
Blazers
Denim jacket
sandals
Tan wedges

Most of my clothes are black white nude and grey, with the odd bit of cobalt, pink and metallic. I really like coral for summer and have some neon that I wear with neutrals as well though

Quite fancy some floral trousers. That'll be my nod towards summer fashion this year!

Spring -
indigo or khaki skinnies
Breton type dresses or light jumper/jersey dresses
denim mini and navy or grey or burgundy opaques
biker jacket
column maxi skirt which can be worn with boots when cold or sandals when warmer
full skirts if ever it's warm enough to not need tights - with ballet shoes or sandals
Converse or Converse-alikes
And tbh I wear ankle boots until at least April!
cropped trench

denim shirt
denim shirt dress

Mine are:
Capri pants in a flattering colour
Jeans in dark blue and white jeans
Vest tops, wrap round cardi or fitted and button which looks nice open.
Cashmere wrap or similar in a colour which flatters and goes with everything in the wardrobe if possible!
Denim skirt ( dark blue)
Birkenstocks
Knee length dresses, prob shift which can be worn with above cardi/ wrap
Nipped in smart/ casual jacket, denim maybe not it blue! Can be worn with jeans/ dresses
Pale tan leather handbag
Handbag in canvas/ cotton in colour to go with the above clothes
Highlights
Summery makeup and lip gloss

Does that sound old to you? I can't wear heels as dc a bit little and I can't manage with heels:)

My plan for summer is cropped or ankle skimming jeans, a handful of lovely slouchy tee, some really amazing flat Balenciaga sandals and rayban wayfarers.

I suspect the reality will be looking at said sandals wistfully as I pull on a pair of Supergas to wade through the puddles, while wearing pretty much all the stuff I'm wearing now (hopefully) minus the duvet coat

Thanks folks! I need to get out of wearing board/walk shorts & 'comedy' t-shirts as the surfer look just isn't doing it for me these days, I'm 34 and now have a baby daughter. I saw a couple of nice knee length patterned skirts in White Stuff, so think I'll get these and some plain cheapy vests, couple of cardis and a neutral pashmina. I also saw a nice empire line dress in Fat Face. I love my black Birkenstocks & Supergas so think these will still look ok. I think I'll also get a plain black maxi dress that I can accessorise with a colourful long beaded necklace I have - and can wear the cardis & pashmina with it. Will check out Next for linen trousers. I love chinos but have a couple of pairs collecting dust because they just don't look right! I'm fairly short and curvy so any suggestions where I can go for these would be grand! Think I'll prob suit some that are well tailored iykwim otherwise I just look like a sack of potatoes

Boyfriend jeans worn with pretty tops and heels for going out; worn with boots slouchy jumpers, vest tops day time - am loving lemon, grey and pale denim.

And lots of linen tshirts.

I always struggle so much in summer -lightweight flimsy fabrics don't suit me, which isn't a great start...

I tend to go for things like:

• Wide legged but not floppy cotton/linen mix sailor pant type trousers
• I would quite like a v wide striped breton, but have yet to find the perfect one in my colours
• longline racer back vests with chino shorts or jeans
• racer back maxi dresses (can you tell I've found a shape that works for me?)
• I wore my linen biker jackets to death last year, will probably coax them out again
• silk/cashmere mix scarves - good for adding warmth, but light enough that they don't cook you if the sun suddenly emerges.

I love the look of Swedish Hasbeens lacy sandals for spring. But are they really wearable? Don't you just clomp along in agony, dragging huge wooden weights beneath your blistered feet? Or does the sole flex somehow? I just can't decide whether to risk it.

Otherwise, I'm angling for a DVF Julian Two dress and this blouse from Zara (but not the lederhosen).

For spring summer

Cropped skinnies, usually MiH Paris - going for off white
Ballet flats going for blush this year
A few ts, J Crew and Marni

Going to get a lightweight summer shirt
A dress and a skirt, not sure what yet

Kandy, I bought a pair of Hasbeens Sky Highs about 4 years ago (thanks to MN) and I bloody love them.
They aren't heavy.

Hopefully - where are your linen bikers from?

Remus I got them from DP last year, but there were a few versions around. Suspect they'll be back again given all the knitted/felted bikers over winter.

like the look of the hasbeens.

are they honestly comfortable? are you still wearing them after 4 years?

Yes, when weather dictates.
I wear them and walk a fair bit in them.
No problem at all.

Thanks Hopefully - will keep an eye out.

thanks moondog, will try and justify them. have decided to try and stop buying primark, and start with proper stuff.

That's my philosophy.
I don't buy too much stuff but try and make it good quality.
Just bought a new pair of Hobbs boots.
Considering I have worn the last pair I got from there for five years every winter and they still look great, I can justify it.

Remus - I got a gorgeous navy linen biker from Farhi last year.

I will mostly be wearing:

• white skinnies
• faded skinnies
• linen biker
• pretty tops
• zara white spring coat
• anya mini gracie in cobalt
• oh and hasbeens again

Thank you - Dotty P's more my budget at the mo though! Am hoping that Warehouse might get their spring line right, as I think their stuff is a bit more me than most high street, but still affordable.