Being British means it's entirely our prerogative to moan relentlessly about rain in May, before tutting loudly and rolling our eyes as weather forecasts start to impart news of high temperatures in August. While it's true that everything does feel better when it's sunny (hello, summer dresses and excellent sandals), a heatwave feels fairly bittersweet after a miserable July. After all, who really wants to buy a whole new summer wardrobe when, in a few weeks, all of the new autumn collections will inevitably start arriving in shops?
Instead, why not show off your canny shopping skills and invest in pieces that will keep you cool now, but which can also be styled up for cooler climes when this heatwave is just a distant memory.
Forget about jeans – they'll stick to your legs and you'll feel like you're wearing wet denim in no time. Not a great vibe. Instead, take inspiration from these seven buys, all destined to leave you feeling fresh and stylish during the heatwave, as opposed to sticky and uncomfortable.
The Linen Maxi Dress
Linen is breathable, comfortable and always stylish, particularly when it's in the form of a maxi dress. Monikh Dale's is from Faithfull The Brand, which has some of the chicest styles on the market. If you're worried about length, take Monikh's lead and take a few inches off the bottom if you need to. When it gets cooler, wear a light roll neck underneath and team with boots.
faithfullthebrand.com
With its low scooped neckline and oversized rounded sleeves, this dress is slightly cinched at the waist but still has a relaxed fit, so it will keep you cool in the heat. It can also be layered up when it gets colder, making it the perfect trans-seasonal piece.
www.freepeople.com
This has been so popular, it has almost sold out in cream and red. This chic blue shade, however, is still available – and perfect for the current heatwave.
www.stories.com
This midi will take all the faff out of getting dressed when it's more than 30 degrees outside. Simply pair with flat sandals or trainers and you're good to go.
The Long Skirt
Not that skirts ever went anywhere but, this summer, they've been more prominent than usual. From floaty cotton skirts to floor-sweeping maxi styles, there's an abundance of choice to help make hot weather dressing a doddle. Abisola Omole showed us how to do it at Copenhagen Fashion Week recently, tucking a classic white tee into her M&S linen maxi skirt, which is sadly almost sold out. Fear not though, there are plenty of other options to help you look this polished in soaring temperatures.
www.marksandspencer.com
Made of pure cotton, this will keep you delightfully cool even if you're facing a stuffy commute. The joy of this skirt is you can wear it for work, at weekends and you could even dress it up for more formal occasions, too.
farmrio.uk
If anyone knows how to handle the heat, it's Brazilian brand Farm Rio. This embroidered midi skirt will be a real stand-out piece in your wardrobe – just pair with a slightly oversized, tucked-in T-shirt and trainers.
shop.mango.com
Try this with a tank top and flat sandals now and then, when you're no longer living in a heatwave, tuck in crisp white shirts and swap your open-toes for loafers.
The Summer Co-Ord
Co-ords are bigger than ever this season and, as a result, come in many different forms. We're particularly enjoying the shorts/top combo, however, as worn by Zeena Shah. She chose a Damson Madder two-piece, which is sustainable as well as ideal for a heatwave. But there are plenty of options on offer right now – they all make for an excellent outfit that is low maintenance – exactly what you want when it's too hot to think.
damsonmadder.com
With its on-trend tie-front detail, you could wear this blouse with the bows at the back or front. It has a flattering square neckline and a loose fit for maximum comfort in hot weather.
damsonmadder.com
The matching shorts have an adjustable waist to make sure you get your perfect fit.
www.withnothingunderneath.com
With Nothing Underneath makes some of the best shirts in the business. Not only will this look chic in the heat tucked into the matching trousers, it's also a piece you can wear all year round – and for many different occasions.
www.withnothingunderneath.com
The sort of trousers you'll want to wear with everything from the above shirt for sticky city days, to lace-trimmed camis for balmy evenings. They'll also be a great holiday staple, too.
The Oversized Shirt
You can never go wrong with an oversized shirt. As the past few days have shown, the weather can go from sheer bliss to raging storm in mere moments, so it always helps to have an extra (light) layer in your bag ready to thrown on when you need it.
www.withnothingunderneath.com
I guarantee that you'll wear this shirt forever. The fit is fantastic – it's perfectly oversized – and the quality is even better. Throw over a tank top with shorts or wear buttoned-up and tucked into jeans or skirts.
www2.hm.com
This linen-blend shirt is available in six different shades and has a great slouchy fit (although if you want it very baggy then go for a size up). Throw over swimwear on the beach and pair with high-waisted trousers when you're not, sadly, on holiday.
awaythatday.com
Designed as a beach cover-up, this shirt is also ideal for tucking into high waisted trousers on hot days when you're not on holiday and have things to do.
The Waistcoat
In case you hadn't noticed,the waistcoat has infiltrated its way into just about every shop imaginable. If the very thought of one gives you the ick, follow Lucy Williams' example (hers is from Dunst) and try a relaxed fit with slouchy trousers – it's much easier to wear (and less terrifying) than its tailored cousin.
www.oliverbonas.com
The summer staple you never knew you needed, this will look great with jeans and sandals – an easy outfit that's super chic, too.
www.net-a-porter.com
Try Rixo's top with a billowing mxi skirt for boho vibes that will make you feel like you're on holiday – even when you're not.
www.massimodutti.com
Wear this with a pair of cotton poplin trousers and then relish in the fact you have a genius layering tool when the seasons change.
The Slip Dress
Nothing is quite as versatile as the slip dress. It can be dressed up or down, night or day and you can easily add layers on top if the weather suddenly goes bonkers. Camille Charriere wore this excellent leopard print number from One Of A Kind Archive, which sadly is exactly what it sounds like and thus you won't find this slip available to buy. But there are plenty of other options which you'll love – and treasure forever.
www.next.co.uk
At just £26, you'll find this is an absolute gem for all seasons – just layer over polo necks with ankle boots come autumn.
www.omnes.com
Omnes is a largely under-the-radar brand which champions sustainable practices and lovely dresses. This lace-trimmed style has vintage vibes and could be easily dressed up or down according to your plans.
www.ghost.co.uk
Ghost is, of course, the OG purveyor of slip dresses in all forms. This polka dot style is ideal for unbearably hot days – and it's on sale, too.
Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times, Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person.