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The ultimate ensemble for a stylish bank holiday weekend

By LLM Reporters   |  

The upcoming late summer bank holiday is always one to look forward to, and with social occasions now finally back on the agenda after months of social distancing and restrictions, this one seems more poignant than most.

Whether you’re planning a summer soiree, an outdoor garden party or a champagne reception for friends, or you’ve been invited to party in style elsewhere, it’s also a great chance to break out that summer wardrobe and dress your best for the occasion. While loungewear has been very much a staple over the past year and a half, now is the time to embrace some of the summer’s hottest trends and get back to looking and feeling like a million dollars once again.

With a significant rise in online shopping over that last year, most of us have been busy filling our wardrobes with the latest fashion must-haves and are itching for a chance to air them. The only question is, where to start? Here, we take a look at how to put together the perfect late summer ensemble for a sophisticated bank holiday weekend, from the main event to the finishing touches.

Jump into the occasion

woman wearing jumpsuit

Being prepared for all weathers and situations can be a challenge when it comes to your outfit choice, but there are certain wardrobe staples that will never let you down. We should all have one or two go-to outfits in our wardrobe that require minimal effort when it comes to combining and styling – and a chic and sophisticated jumpsuit is just the ticket for a late summer weekend, whatever the weather.

A jumpsuit offers a seamless transition from day to night, and will cover just enough skin for slightly chillier weather should that scorching barbecue soiree or outdoor champagne reception not quite go to plan. A linen jumpsuit is the ultimate pick, and will keep you just as cool and covered in the sun – plus, it can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Just add a pair of Manolos and some classy jewellery for an evening do, or combine with flat leather sandals and sunglasses for the ultimate in daytime chic.

When shopping for a summer jumpsuit, always try it on if you have the chance to do so. Ensure that the leg length and crotch placement sit as they should do on your body, as an ill-fitting garment is the quickest way to cheapen any otherwise well put-together look. A jumpsuit is meant to be an easy going and stress free choice, so make sure you like the feel of the fabric and will feel comfortable in it – because while style is key, you shouldn’t have to compromise on either of these.

An off-the-shoulder, bardot style jumpsuit will tick all the right boxes and is flattering for all body types – plus, it’s an easier design to take off when needed, which might come in handy after a few bottles of Bollinger. It will also ensure that unsightly tan lines after a day in the sun are kept to a minimum!

Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise 

woman wearing sunglasses

While your choice of outfit will undoubtedly be the biggest style decision you’ll make this weekend, never underestimate the power of accessories, and always remember the mantra that less is more. A pair of movie star style sunnies or a statement necklace can make all the difference and transform even the most basic of outfits into an impactful look that will earn you endless compliments – and let’s face it, we could all do with the extra confidence boost. But take care not to overload yourself with jewellery, hat, belt and sunglasses all at once, as it’s a sure-fire way to spoil the overall effect.

As a general rule of thumb, if you’re opting for a statement piece of jewellery, then keep everything else pared back to allow it to do all the talking. A chunky necklace should never be teamed with matching earrings and rings, and clashing jewellery will only add confusion – so choose one piece of jewellery and leave it at that. This rule can be bent slightly if you’re opting for more dainty accessories – for example, a single strand of pearls around your neck can work well with some simple pearl studs in your ears and won’t result in overkill.

Just add lipstick 

woman applying lipstick

When it comes to a hot and sunny bank holiday weekend (we can only hope!), a full face of melting makeup is never a good look. But if you can’t bear to go bare-faced, then what’s a suitable compromise?

Working on your skincare in the lead-up to the occasion and keeping your skin safe from the sun should be at the top of your list, so be sure to thoroughly cleanse, tone and moisturise over the days prior and invest in a high protection SPF to keep your skin protected from the sun’s harmful rays, reapplying regularly throughout the day. If you can’t go without a little coverage, then a tinted moisturiser is a great way to go, and most high-end formulas come in SPF30 as standard, solving two problems in one with ease.

To add a little edge to your look and up the glamour factor, finish with a slick of lipstick and a pair of over-sized sunglasses and you’ll be good to go. You can rarely go wrong with a neutral shade, but if you’re feeling confident, then a bold coral or pink lip for daytime can be switched with a show-stopping red for the evening. Opt for a moisturising formulation rather than matte so that you won’t have to contend with dryness – and add an SPF lip balm to protect lips, too. Choosing  a long wear lip liner will prevent the colour from bleeding off your lips and ensure that it lasts the distance.

The bottom line

These simple fashion hacks can mean that you have a fashionable bank holiday without breaking the bank. Using what you have in your wardrobe paired with good skin care is all you need to make the most out of your bank holiday. So enjoy yourself, enjoy the weekend and feel good whilst doing it!