Author: Henry

If I were to think of my personal style muses in order, there’s one Gen Z It girl whom continues to reign supreme—Hailey Bieber. With an enviable ability to make capsule wardrobe classics feel cooler, and far more fashion-forward, her looks long been the focal point of my saved folder.

Whilst vacationing in the Balerics with husband Justin and son Jacks Blue, Hailey provided (me) and the rest of her eagle-eyed fashion followers with a treat: an Instagram dump. Whilst I’ll be saving her baby blue pedi for my next trip to the salon, it was her tie-front blouse that really sparked my interest.

Opposed to the minimal ties we’ve seen this summer, the beauty mogul refreshed the trusty jeans-and-nice-top formula once again, opting for a swooping, almost cleavage baring tie-front top. Pairing with a pair of washed blue Levi’s Ribcage jeans with a strappy black vintage sandal, the light, playful finish it added goes unmatched.

Pairing just just well with this seasons rotation midi skirts, linen trousers and cropped capris as it does jeans, this pretty blouse trend is an easy way to make your staples feel refreshed. So if you’re looking for one more blouse to end the summer on a high, keep scrolling to shop the tie-front blouse trend below.

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Besides my skincare, there isn’t much about my beauty routine that I’m diligent with. I rarely have my nails done, always skip my brow appointments and am proud of myself if I visit the hairdressers for a trim even twice a year. Yet there’s one beauty habit that I rarely skip, and that’s applying body cream. In the winter months I’m militant about it, slathering on rich body butters and luxurious body oils to rescue my dry legs once they’re released from beneath thick tights and woolly socks at the end of the day. During summer, however, it definitely feels like more of a chore. When the air is thick with humidity, the last thing I want to do when I climb out of the shower is to apply another layer to my already warm skin.

This year, though, I’ve been reminded that it’s almost more crucial to look after summer skin. After weeks of heatwaves, long afternoons spent outdoors, the odd brush with too much sun (despite rigorous sunscreen application) and more mosquito bites than I’d care to count, my skin has been feeling decidedly more reactive than radiant. Even something as simple as sitting on dry grass with the kids or spending a few hours in the garden can leave it feeling itchy, sensitive and in need of a little extra care.

Which is where soothing body creams come into their own. Rather than simply replenishing moisture, the best formulas are designed to calm stressed skin with ingredients like cooling aloe vera, comforting oat and hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture. The result is skin that feels softer, calmer and far more comfortable, without the heaviness that can put you off reaching for body cream in the first place.

Ahead, I’ve rounded up the soothing body creams I genuinely reach for when my skin needs a little TLC.

The 9 Best Soothing Body Creams

1. Dove Cica + Repair Body Serum

2. Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream

3. Alpha-H Daily Dose Multivitamin Body Serum

4. CeraVe Intensive Moisturising Cream

5. Q+A Magnesium Body Butter

6. Gun Ana Body Repair Serum

7. Aveeno Daily Moisturising Calming Relief Lotion

8. Byoma Body Sensitive Skin Body Lotion

9. Pai Gentle Genius Barrier Care Soothing Body Cream

Why Trust Us

How We Tested

I’m a bit of a hoarder of body care products, and have frankly tried hundreds of lotions, butters, serums and oils in my years working as a beauty editor. For this list, I included some reliable favourites as well as testing a hoard of new formulas on my dehydrated, irritable, summer skin. The ones that made the cut were soothing, non-sticky and calmed my limbs in the height of a London heatwave—a true seal of approval.

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

What sunscreen does a supermodel use to keep her skin hydrated, protected, and looking flawless under makeup? It’s not a rhetorical question! If the supermodel in question is Kendall Jenner, then I know the answer. She’s loyal to a certain Korean SPF that delivers long-lasting hydration, barrier support and a nearly invisible finish. The best part? It only costs £18, which is a fraction of the cost of other celeb-loved formulas. Keep scrolling to see the exact sunscreen she loves.

Anua Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen

Jenner, who was recently named Anua’s global brand ambassador, uses the Zero-Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen in her summer skincare routine. Before I detail all of the extra skin benefits it offers, I want to start with the most basic and important aspect: sun protection. It delivers broad-spectrum SPF 50 to keep the skin safe from harsh UVA and UVB rays. The chemical sunscreen uses a combo of UV filters, including avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene.

Beyond that, though, it offers myriad benefits. Let’s talk about hydration first. Thanks to hyaluronic acid and glycerin, it moisturises the skin for an impressive 72 hours after application. Those ingredients also contribute to the sunscreen’s lightweight, watery texture, but more on that in a minute. Meanwhile, niacinamide and panthenol strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier to keep that hydration locked in and even balance oil production.

The texture is similar to a creamy skin serum. Think lightweight, watery and easily spreadable on the skin. Once it dries down, it’s nearly invisible with no greasy residue or white cast, and it layers so well under foundation, concealer, blush and bronzer—no smudging, pilling, or lifting. In fact, P&K Skin Research Center conducted a study to assess its “makeup adhesion.” In the study, 100% of people between the ages of 20 and 59 agreed that it provided an invisible finish with zero pore-clogging effects or excess oiliness. Even though it provides a highly glowy finish, you don’t have to worry about it exacerbating acne.

Shop 5 More Editor-Approved Anua Skincare Products

Not to toot my own horn, but I like to consider myself a bit of a staycation expert. As a lover of the outdoors who revels in the less celebrated side of British weather, I’ve camped and glamped across the UK, gone for a swim in the North Sea in October and even chosen a week in a cottage in Wales over an all-inclusive holiday in Spain.

But my staycation knowledge extends far beyond the ability to recommend idyllic Cornish bays and Welsh farm shops. Packing for a holiday in the UK requires a very different approach than packing for a trip abroad, and I’ve got it down to a fine art.

It requires striking the perfect balance between style, function and comfort, which means a mix of versatile dresses, good quality footwear, cool basics, and high-performance outerwear which can be styled with minimum effort, allowing you to move from country walks to pub dinner with ease.

Finding pieces that tick all those boxes isn’t easy, but with plenty of practice ( and plenty of ‘I wore the wrong shoes for this’ moments) I’ve landed on five staycation-proof staples I pack every single time.

So whether you’ve got a summer staycation booked and have no clue what to pack, or are looking to upgrade your usual British holiday wardrobe, below I’ve compiled an edit of the five pieces that will work hard and look good. Read on to find out more.

The Ultimate Packing List for Summer Staycations 2026

1. Broderie Anglaise Dress

Style Notes: Typically made from cotton, this feminine style of dress is as stunning as it is comfortable and easy to wear. The delicate embroidery detail gives the dress a heritage feel that can be leaned into with a raffia tote and knee-high boots, or modernised with trainers and a scarf or plaid shirt in place of a belt.

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2. Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Style Notes: Long sleeve t-shirts may sound a bit dull, but they’ve taken on a cooler vibe than your average basic this year, layered under oversized short-sleeve tees in a nod to 90s grunge, or featuring slogans and graphic detailing. Simply add to a statement pair of jeans or colourful athletic shorts and trainers for effortless style.

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3. Technical Jacket

Style Notes: The technical jacket has evolved far beyond its practical origins to become a staple in the wardrobes of the most stylish. The appeal lies as much in its ability to give outfits an effortlessly relaxed, off-duty edge as it does in its ability to keep you warm and dry, making it the perfect summer layer. Wear with a cotton midi skirt and fisherman sandals on dry days and swap to trainers when the weather turns.

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4. Longline Shorts

Style Notes: Bermudas blew the shorts trend wide open giving us more styles than ever before. While both denim and tailored versions have their place in a holiday wardrobe, for a staycation the longline short (their slightly longer and more relaxed sister style) strikes the perfect balance between comfort and polish and work with everything from loafers to ballet flats.

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5. Hi-Tech Trainers

Style Notes: You’ll never regret packing a pair of these for a staycation. They have both style and substance covered, elevating more practical pieces like leggings and waterproof jackets, but also allowing you wear less practical pieces like dresses and jeans to the beach or on a long walk while remaining comfortable.

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As we turn the corner into the last (and arguably hottest) month of summer, 31 lazy, hazy days stand between us and (hopefully) some cooler weather. Having now lost count of the number of times I’ve slipped on a pretty maxi dress and comfy pair of flip-flops, or shrugged on a frog-fastened blouse and denim shorts over the last two months, this August, I’ve decided to start anew.

After taking stock of the summer wardrobe I’ve worn and loved for work, weekends and everything in between, finding a way to make the same pieces feel fresh again has been a bit of a challenge. As a micro trend enthusiast, I headed to the one place I knew would never fail me—the chic dressers on my social media feed.

Always willing to provide a chic outfit, the content creators on my Instagram didn’t disappoint. As a pared-back dresser who will dabble with colour every once in a while, their rotation of classic shapes and stylish accessories instantly piqued my interest. After hours of trawling my social media feed, I was able to narrow down seven easy-to-recreate outfit ideas I’m banking for when I’m in need of a fashionable pick-me-up.

In fact, almost every outfit in my edit below focuses on elegant and elevated elements that feel fresh for summer 2026, whilst still managing to be timeless enough for the anti-trend dressers amongst us. So, if you’re in need of a touch of inspiration when dressing for the month ahead, then you’re in luck. Keep scrolling to see the seven outfits chic dressers (and now me) will be wearing on repeat this August.

7 Failsafe Outfits To Take You Through August

1. Pretty Blouse + Linen Shorts + Ballet Flats

Style Notes: Opting for a blouse in a vivid aqua hue, Nnenna Echem(pictured above) uses classic ballet flats to make relaxed linen shorts feel more stylish than I’d considered possible. I especially appreciate how she’s kept her accessories minimal, allowing her pretty lace trim top to really shine.

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2. T-Shirt + Broderie Anglaise Skirt + Flip Flops

Style Notes: You can never go wrong with white in summer, but to give your look a more transitional spin, style your weather-appropriate broderie maxi skirt and fitted white T-shirt with a contrasting pair of black flip-flops, striped shoulder bag and light jumper (perfect for a chilly office air-con).

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3. Draped Top + Bermuda Shorts + Peep Toes

Style Notes: Leaning into autumn’s moodier hues, Claire Most (pictured above), slouched white Bermuda shorts are lent a refreshed finish. Matching her draped top to her prim peep-toe heels, their subdued shade really allows her shorts to shine. Who said dark colours can’t work in summer?

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4. Fitted T-shirt + Midi Skirt + Kitten Heel Sandals

Style Notes: We’ve loved red and dabbled in aqua, but in August, Marianne Smyth makes a case for vibrant, royal blue [pictured above]. Her leather midi skirt might not feel like the most obvious choice in summer, but add strappy kitten heels and you show enough skin to balance things out. Bonus points if you finish with her signature silver jewellery and a slouchy clutch bag.

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5. Long Sleeved T-shirt + Maxi Skirt + Ballet Flats

Style Notes: As a pared-back dresser, this Annabel Rosendahl look [above] instantly tickled my fancy. From her almost-sheer-but-not long-sleeved T-shirt to her striking black split-hem midi skirt, there’s not a single piece in this outfit I don’t simply adore and wouldn’t mix and match to wear again.

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6. Maxi Dress + Flannel Shirt + Boots

Style Notes: With a number of warner days on the horizon, it’s not time to pack away your summer dress just yet. For a refreshed look, take style cues from Tia Dewitt [pictured above] and style yours with a loose flannel around the waist and a structured moto boot come cooler days.

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7. Kaftan + Strappy Sandals + Woven Bag

Style Notes: Could I really compile a list of chic outfits without including one Debora Rosa (pictured above) look? Casting a powerful silhouette in her sweeping kaftan and dainty toe-loop sandals, the outfit’s polish remains unmatched.

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