Tag: Clothes

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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The 2027 Met Gala is over nine months away, but we already have details on what to expect. Today, the Metropolitan Museum of Art revealed that next year’s Costume Institute exhibition is entitled John Galliano: Horizons. It will span the entirety of Galliano’s career thus far, including his work as a student at Central Saint Martins in London, and his designs for Dior, Givenchy, Maison Margiela, and his eponymous brand.

The exhibition will be organized into three parts: “Bearings,” “Horizons,” and “Atlas of Transformation.” The first section will put Galliano’s work into historical and cultural context. The second part will explore his most-cited sources of inspiration, including geography, history, art, and performance. The final category will delve into Galliano’s creative process through research books, sketches, toiles, fittings, and finished garments.

Galliano is no stranger to controversy, and the museum’s press release does not mince words. “[The exhibition] will directly address the rupture caused by his antisemitic, racist, and anti-Asian conduct in 2010 and 2011, which resulted in his dismissal from Christian Dior and his eponymous label and his conviction by a Paris court for public insults based on race, religion, ethnicity, or origin,” the museum stated. “It will also consider his subsequent treatment for substance addiction and his later public acknowledgment of his actions. Rather than presenting a conventional narrative of disgrace and redemption, the gallery will examine how memory, experience, cultural values, and historical circumstances continually reshape the reception of a designer’s work.”

Scroll down to revisit some memorable designs by John Galliano.

For Dior’s spring/summer 2007 Haute Couture collection celebrating the house’s 60th anniversary, Galliano staged an elaborate show at Versailles.

John Galliano takes a bow after the Dior Haute Couture spring/summer 1998 show.

Shalom Harlow poses on the Dior Haute Couture fall/winter 2007 runway.

Rihanna’s infamous pope-inspired outfit at the 2018 Met Gala was designed by Galliano for Maison Margiela.

Princess Diana wore a Dior by John Galliano dress to her first and only Met Gala in 1996.

Linda Evangelista models a Dior by John Galliano spring/summer 1998 look.

Gwendoline Christie walks the runway at the Maison Margiela Haute Couture spring/summer 2024 show.

Zendaya wears a Galliano creation to the 2024 Met Gala.

In case you missed it, the blurred lip trend is back, and everyone is doing what they can to get the look. Yes, there is a technique to it (more on that below), but there are also some makeup products you can invest in that do half of the work for you. As it turns out, what might look incredibly difficult to replicate can actually be easy with the right formulas.

“The blurred lip is a softer, more effortless take on traditional lipstick,” says makeup artist and leading educator at Sephora Shanzey Al-Amin. “Instead of a perfectly defined lip line, the color is diffused around the edges to create a subtle, cloud-like effect.” She adds that this trend was heavily inspired by Korean beauty and became popular because of its fresh and modern look that gives lips a fuller appearance without looking overdone.

Still, with the market full of products promising the perfect blurred effect, I decided to dig deeper and chat more with Al-Amin, along with celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes, to find out which ones are actually worth your hard-earned money. Check out their top products below!

The Best Blurry Lip Products, at a Glance

• Best Overall: MAC Cosmetics Powder Kiss Hazy Matte Lipstick
• Best Liner: Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil Long-Lasting Lip Liner
• Best Splurge: Violette_FR Bisou Balm Sheer Matte Lipstick
• Best Balm: Nyx Professional Makeup Smushy Matte Lip Balm
• Best Hybrid: Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain 10hr Liquid Lipstick

The Best Blurry Lip Products in 2026

Best Overall: MAC Cosmetics Powder Kiss Hazy Matte Lipstick

Best Liner: Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil Long-Lasting Lip Liner

Best Splurge: Violette_FR Bisou Balm Sheer Matte Lipstick

Best Balm: Nyx Professional Makeup Smushy Matte Lip Balm

Best Hybrid: Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain 10hr Liquid Lipstick

Best Lip Stain: Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain

Best Budget: Sheglam Marshmallow Puff Lip Blur Pen

What’s the best way to achieve a blurry lip?

Once you have the product of your choice, there are a few simple steps needed to get a blurry lip. Here’s the full breakdown.

1. Exfoliate and prep: Smooth lips are the best place to start for any lip look. Barnes recommends gently exfoliating with something like NCLA’s Sugar, Sugar 100% Natural Lip Scrub followed by a tried-and-true formula like Aquaphor’s Lip Repair.
2. Apply your product: Al-Amin suggests starting by applying lip color to the center of your lips rather than the entire area.
3. Tap the color in: From there, use your fingertip or a small lip brush to blend the product outward to keep the edges soft.
4. Build it up: After getting the technique down, feel free to build up the color to your preference.
5. Add-on (optional): While this is not required, Al-Amin notes that you can layer on a gloss or balm if you don’t want a fully matte finish.

How We Chose

As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best blurry lip products, we leaned heavily on makeup artist insights and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including shade range, product type, and customer reviews. We’re aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details.

Why Trust Who What Wear

At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Since 2006, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.

Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.

Contrary to popular belief, fashion rules and styling tricks can be just as outdated as specific trends. At the end of the day, everyone should wear what they want, and we’re just here to bring you the latest and current trends. On that note, you’ll never guess the styling trick that just might be making a comeback for fall. Whether you’ve been using it all along or put it on pause, it’s worth noting for next season. The styling trick I’m talking about is one that Katie Holmes was just spotted wearing with jeans. I haven’t come across it much over the past few years, but her styling reminded me what a cool look it is.

Holmes’s outfit was built of wardrobe basics, including a light blue button-down, straight-leg jeans, and black flats. She accessorized with a large Louis Vuitton travel duffel bag. How she styled this simple outfit, though, was the eye-catching part. She used the half-tuck method (derived from a French tuck) with her button-down and jeans. The half-tuck is simply tucking one shirttail into your bottoms and leaving the other side out. Why do I suspect this is an upward trend in fashion? Another celebrity, Claire Foy, did the same thing this week with a very similar outfit of a button-down and jeans. She completed the look with flip-flops instead of flats, a red woven bag, and, of course, a half-tucked shirt.

If you’re ready to reintroduce the half-tuck into your outfit arsenal, keep scrolling to see how Holmes and Foy wore it, and re-create the outfit yourself.

Spotted on Katie Holmes

On Katie Holmes: Louis Vuitton duffel bag

How Claire Foy Wore It

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Some summer trends persist and trickle into fall. It’s a somewhat rare occurrence, but when it happens, the contrast it creates with a fall outfit reads chic and effortless. This year, the summer trend that can actually work in the fall is one that was quite polarizing just a year ago but seems to be more widely accepted by fashion people now: mesh flats. Yes, you read that correctly. This shoe trend is the exact opposite of a fall shoe, but that’s what makes it so alluring to the fashion-conscious.

The latest celebrity to endorse mesh flats with a fall outfit is Sandra Bullock. Bullock was recently spotted in a pair of muted-green mesh flats by Alaïa with a fall-coded outfit consisting of a knit V-neck long-sleeve top and black flowy pants. She accessorized with a pair of round sunglasses, a delicate pearl necklace, and a large leather carryall. If she had worn a pair of non-mesh, plain flats, this look wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting. Her mesh flats are a conversation starter even though her outfit is built with neutrals and basics.

If you’re into Bullock’s experimentation with summery mesh flats for fall, keep scrolling to re-create her look and shop similar shoes.

How Sandra Bullock Wore It

On Sandra Bullock: Alaïa Suede-Trimmed Fishnet Ballet Flats in Green ($990)

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This summer is all about nostalgia, with cool girls slipping on retro running shorts, beaded bags, and jelly footwear like it’s the early 2000s. But there’s one throwback trend that fashion people just can’t get enough of: wedge sandals.

The chunky silhouette dominated Y2K Hollywood style, grazing the feet of Jennifer Aniston, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton. Everywhere you looked, you’d see the thick platform sole—ranging from short and subtle to tall and loud—complemented by a range of straps.

Now, the prior fashion relic is stronger than ever, kicking past front-runners like sneakers and ballet flats to the backseat. But knowing how to style this season’s hottest shoe is just as important as securing your own version, lest you look dated.

Cool girls know summer skirts are the way to go, juxtaposing the delicate, flirty silhouettes with blocky, thick footwear. This combination takes the wrong-shoe theory to the next level, spurring on a domino effect of double-takes. Plus, summer wedges are versatile, easily dressed up or down.

Mastering wedge sandal styling with summer skirts is easier than you’d think—especially when I did the heavy lifting for you. Below, you’ll find six must-try outfits, from sporty-chic aesthetics to refined co-ords. The only thing left to do is decide where to flaunt your It girl-approved look.

Pop of Color

Get the look: Polo shirt + A-line skirt + Colorful wedges

Effortlessly Walkable

Get the look: Oversized tee + Lace-trim skirt + Low wedges

Architectural Details

Get the look: Billowy blouse + High-low skirt + Curved wedges

Bold Platforms

Get the look: Grey tank + Plaid maxi skirt + Chunky wedges

Wild Prints

Get the look: Quarter-sleeve top + Mini skirt + Animal-print wedges

Barley-There Chic

Get the look: Puff-sleeve blouse + Scalloped skirt + Clear-strap wedges

Shop in Shop is a monthly column dedicated to rounding up the latest arrivals, seasonal trends, and styles from our favorite brands and retailers.

Although the air is still thick with humidity, summer is indeed winding down. My summer style has been a steady rotation of jorts, lacy blouses, spaghetti-strap tanks, and slip dresses—easy pieces that feel as laid-back as my summer has been. But I’m ready to make the most of what’s left of the season and kick my late-summer style into high gear. I want to have even more fun with my accessories by adding trend-forward pieces like bandana scarves and bug-eye sunglasses, along with pre-fall arrivals like suede bags and purple barn jackets. These are specific picks, I know, but they’re exactly what’s on my late-summer shopping list. To see 24 new arrivals from Quay, Quince, Free People, and Michael Kors that work now and well into fall, keep reading.

I look forward to getting a few new Free People pieces every season, and the items I share below are a mix of what I currently own and what is left on my wish list. I’ve been wearing the Sky Dancing Midi Dress ($168) on repeat this month, while the Chelsea Funnel-Neck Jacket ($168) is coming with me to Outside Lands next week. No matter what city and climate you live in, these pieces will carry you through to fall.

Historically, I’ve played it pretty safe in the eyewear department. This summer, however, I’ve reached for edgier pairs, and I love the contrast they give to more relaxed summer outfits. QUAY has every trending style for the season. Here are six of my current favorites.

I’m calling this section from Quince my “mix and match edit.” I’m not in the mood to buy one-off pieces that I’ll wear for one month before the season changes. I think the following pieces are versatile enough to wear with the rest of my late-summer-into-fall wardrobe.

I can’t leave you without sharing a few new handbags that have crossed my desk. I love these pre-fall styles from Michael Kors. They play into the current and predicted trends of the remainder of the year: east-west shapes, suede materials, and bucket styles.