There are plenty of fashion pieces you could have bought over the last few years that won't help you out this summer - giant googly-eye sunnies, gladiator sandals that wrap up your leg or maybe even crimping irons when they showed a brief resurgence.
But if you've bought a maxi dress
in recent summers you will be able to lie back on the hammock with a cocktail in a few months' time and know it was money well spent.
Maxi dresses are coming through as the most obvious dress choice for this summer season.
If you're long and lean it will be welcome news, but even shorter girls can pull off the maxi - it may just require finding a good seamstress who can take up the hem without affecting the shape of the dress.
Buy them now, because you don't want to miss out, but don't be tempted to wear them until the sun is shining - maxis look dreamy in summer but too kooky when it's cloudy.
Wear them with cropped cardigans, full ones will add too much bulk to a dress that's already packing a lot of fabric.
On your well-manicured feet wear sandals for day and wedges for night - heels are another no-no with maxis as they take them into hippy ballgown territory.
The look you are going for is casual and anything that looks like it takes effort to walk in will simply undo the new relaxed-looking you.
Ladies who know they will be accessorising with a baby bump come summer will also love the maxi - it modestly skims over the belly (and other curves that may need hiding) while also showing off the pending arrival.
It's a look that fits with fashion's current 70s revival so give hair the Farah flick or show off those collarbones with a pixie do.
