It's that time of the year again - sophisticated dinner parties go out the window in favour of easy, breezy barbecues on the deck or beside the pool. But these present their own fashion conundrum - do you dress for a party, dinner, or go the beachy-casual route?
Use the opportunity to strike a dressy-but-casual balance. Cute shorts, strapless dresses and funky, chunky jewellery are the way to go. Strapless playsuits are easier to wear than you might expect - dress one down with a cardigan and jandals, or make a statement with an attention-grabbing necklace to add interest to your neckline.
Look for floaty caftans that you can wear over skinny jeans or tailored trousers. Small belts can be used to add definition. Neutral trousers look great with sparkly sandals - some of the jewelled styles in shops at the moment are perfect when you need something just a little bit dressy.
Strapless, above-the-knee dresses are ideal barbecue wear but stay away from high heels to avoid looking overdone. Ballet flats, sandals or jandals are a cute match - or if you really can't be separated from your heels, look for some of this season's wedges or espadrilles. Some of the best dresses this summer are floaty, bright and floral. Fun and easy to wear.
Pleated skirts are everywhere at the moment - pair one with a plain T-shirt for a barbecue. Or match a pair of relaxed denim shorts with a preppy blouse.