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My last trip to London was during this summer’s record-breaking heatwave. I didn’t pack appropriately (the European city is known for its milder temperatures), but I did get inspiration while shopping thanks to the trendy Londoners who were embracing the heat with cool outfits.
I saw hundreds of women wearing sleeveless vests, linen pants, sleek mules and far-from-basic cotton tees and absolutely thriving during the heat wave. Taking notes from them, I completely revamped my summer wardrobe — and so can you. Shop the heatwave-approved pieces Londoners swear by, below.
I Visited London in a Heatwave — 4 Surprising Fashion Trends
Sleeveless Vests
1. Clean Cut: The silhouette of this classy and modern vest beautifully accentuates curves in all the right places thanks to the square cut neck and slight peplum waist.
2. Open Up: Londoners put their own unique spin on the tailored vest trend in the heat, opting to wear them open with a tank underneath — exactly how this waistcoat-inspired design is portrayed.
3. Keep Cool: Temperatures reached 95 degrees Fahrenheit in London, so it’s unsurprising many people opted for breezy linen vests, exactly like this polished halter style that offers plenty of breathability.
4. Peek-a-Boo: These vests aren’t just for office days. I saw many tie-front options, like this Abercrombie vest, that allowed the gals to show a little more skin and stay cool.
Linen Pants
5. Get to Work: Imagine — sleek work slacks but made from linen. Every professional woman was wearing this wide-legged style in Central London.
6. Beach Vibes: Even though London is nowhere near the coast, I saw plenty of people wearing beach-inspired linen pants to beat the heat.
7. Gingham Galore: Just like Americans, the Brits can’t get enough of Gingham. I noticed boundless gingham linen pants, just like this style that pairs wonderfully with a plain white tee.
8. Cool Girl Vibes: The edgy girls in Hackney were all wearing ultra low-rise linen pants. They even inspired me to rock the trend myself — turns out low-rise isn’t that scary!
Sleek Mules
9. On Point: Pointed-toe mules got a youthful refresh in London. I loved seeing styles like this relaxed buckled pair every time I looked down.
10. Metallic Dreams: Metallic mules glistened with every step in Londontown. This knotted design adds a subtle personality pop to any outfit.
11. Artfully Woven: Instead of suede or solid leather mules, I often saw women wearing something similar to this knitted leather style for more breathability.
12. Extra Support: Worried your mules will slip right off? This ballerina-inspired Kate Spade style features a dainty ankle wrap to keep the shoes securely in place.
Trusty Cotton Tees
13. Casually Cute: Cotton is one of the most breathable fabrics, so I’m not surprised I saw so many women wearing simple white tees that were a cross between form-fitting and boxy.
14. So Relaxed: The boxy-fit tee was so popular in Central London, I lost track of how many women were wearing one.
15. Go Graphic: Plain white tees weren’t the only top around town. People showcased their interests with fun graphic tees. I’m partial to this one and its summery flower image.
16. Perfect Fit: Few things look as good as a fitted white tee — this style from Quince feels like it was custom-made for you.
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Finding summer pants that keep you cool without clinging to your midsection can feel like an endless search, and as a shopping editor, I know just how frustrating it can be. You want lightweight, breathable bottoms that skim your shape rather than highlight it, but so many styles either feel too tight or overly baggy. […]
