The Weekend Read✨The Great British Style Forecast: Dressing For Sunshine and Everything In Between

Hello!

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that the British summer has lost the plot! One minute it’s 30 degrees with your hair frizzing in the humidity, and the next it’s 19 degrees, grey and damp — or worse, 24 degrees and raining. This month alone, we’ve gone from scorched pavements to putting on a jumper for the school run.

And whilst you may have heard us talk about the power of colour, style and make-up before, this week’s The Weekend Read is a little different. We’re revisiting these tried and tested tools, but with a focus on our unpredictable British summer we’re all trying to dress for. Good style advice isn’t about reinventing the wheel each week, it’s about helping you adapt what you know to whatever the weather throws at us.

Get Clever With Your Summer Style

When it’s 22 degrees before you’ve had your first cuppa, your wardrobe needs to work with you, not against you. So how do you stay polished when it’s sticky, sweaty, and the commute is beckoning?

As you know, your House of Colour toolkit consists of colour, style and make-up know-how. Let's start with the style element first:

The ultimate hot day style weapon? Natural fibres. Linen, cotton, bamboo and viscose breathe better than synthetics and help regulate your temperature. Many of them come in neutral shades, so you can easily find those colours that make you feel cool even when the weather makes you wilt. But here’s the trick: even the most gorgeous linen shift dress can feel frumpy if the colour drains you. Choosing the correct warm cream over a cool white, or the perfect shade of blue for your season can make the difference between looking washed out and glowing.

For those of you who are retirees or stay-at-home mums, you'll want comfort without compromising on style, so lean into shapes with a little more room remembering not to let the colour wash you out.

If you're working in an office, you’ve probably faced the battle of looking appropriate in 30-degree heat. Most women don't wear suits to work anymore, so wearing colour block co-ords in your brighter shades is an alternative. Add a cotton t-shirt or a lightweight, sleeveless shell top in a complimentary shade, and a smart sandal or mule. You’ll look polished, even if you don't feel like it.

And on those days when the sun plays hide-and-seek or the air conditioning is blasting, this is where clever layering comes in. A lightweight jacket or kimono in a bright or wow colour works over a vest or sundress and adds style and coverage. Cardigans are fine, but they can look heavy or dated in the summer.

Look Cool In Colour

Now we've sorted the style, you need to look at what colours you have to wear in your summer fabrics. Are you missing any of your brighter colours in materials that are perfect for you for the warmer months? If so, add them to your shopping list. In the summer, we need to lean more into our lighter, and brighter shades as the deeper end of your palette can make your outfit look heavy. Remember, black absorbs the heat which makes you sweat more, whilst white and lighter shades reflect the heat keeping you naturally cooler.

As a Spring, this is your time to shine. Lean into your bright, light, warm shades of coral, bright blue or tangerine. That happy, tropical vibe is created from your palette.

Autumns look fabulous in the spicier shades when it gets warm - try saffron, yellow ochre or rust.

Cooler, softer shades for Summers are perfect for hazy days and gentle breezes - opt for cornflower, pastel jade or coral red.

Pack a punch in the boldest of brights from your Winter palette - try magenta, turquoise blue or scarlet.

The key is to keep your layers lighter and brighter. That way, as the temperature shifts, your outfit flexes with you.

Avoiding a Make-up Meltdown

Let’s talk beauty. Summer make-up is notorious for vanishing by lunchtime. Or worse, it slides down your face. This is where your colour palette does more than just flatter you, it actually makes make-up simpler.

One of the best summer swaps is ditching heavy foundation in favour of a BB cream or mineral powder – a bonus when it includes SPF. House of Colour’s mineral powder is a brilliant choice: breathable, buildable, and it won’t clog or cake when the temperature rises. A good mineral base also holds up surprisingly well on those muggy, overcast days that fool us into overdressing.

Now for the fun part: lips and cheeks. Lipsticks, glosses and mattes are where you can inject that pop of colour:

Springs should go for fresh, juicy shades like Strawberry Pink Shimmer, Paprika or Melon Punch.

Autumns ooze richness in colours with depth like Ginger Shimmer, Rich Rust or Tuscan Sun.

Summers look rosy and sweet in Raspberry Shimmer, Brilliant Rose or Soft Sangria.

Winters tend to look better in the deeper, bolder colours so using the brighter shades will really lift your face. Try Electric Pink, Fuchsia Sparkle or Red Alert.

When you need your lipstick to last through drinks and ice creams, layer a lip pencil under your lipstick or gloss. Or have you tried our liquid matte lipsticks? These stay put for hours and don't budge whatever the weather.

Blusher gives you a glow when you can't make it out into the sun. And when applied in the right place, it instantly gives you a facelift - sweep across your cheekbones up into your hairline for for that lifted look. Remember to keep the colour peachy and warm for Springs and Autumns, and rosy and cool for Summers and Winters.

When wearing eye make-up, try and keep it simple. Water-resistant mascara and a light sweep of bronzer or blusher through the crease is all you need. Anything more tends to crease, smudge or vanish after a short while.

Hot tip: The House of Colour bronzer is a universally neutral shade that complements all 4 colour palettes without being too orangey or sparkly on the skin.

Skincare in the Sun

Summer skincare doesn’t mean switching everything out, it’s more about adjusting your textures and protecting your skin’s barrier. Sweat, SPF, city grime and sun can throw your usual routine into chaos, so keeping things simple and effective is key.

Start with a light gel or water-based moisturiser in the mornings to give your face hydration without the heaviness. Then layer on your SPF every day, even when it’s cloudy. If you’re staying indoors, a moisturiser with SPF may be enough, but for long walks, garden days or commuting, go full factor 50.

Evenings are the time for repairing the skin, especially after sun exposure. A gentle cleanse, followed by a cooling mist and a nourishing serum or oil, can work wonders. If you’re using active ingredients like vitamin C or retinoids, be mindful of any increased sun sensitivity. Introduce them slowly and always pair with high SPF the next day.

Heatwave tip: Keep your toner or hydrating mist in the fridge. Spritzing it on occasionally is hydration heaven and keeps your make-up in place for the rest of the day.

The Colour-Coded Wardrobe Refresh

Summer is the perfect time to reassess what’s really working in your wardrobe. If you’re reaching for the same faded t-shirt and years-old shorts every day, it might be time for a refresh. But that doesn’t mean buying a whole new wardrobe, just reworking the one you’ve got using your colour and style personality.

Ask yourself this: Does this piece make me feel confident? Does the colour lift my skin or wash me out? Can I style it at least three different ways? Does it reflect my current lifestyle, or am I dressing for a version of me from ten years ago?

Stay-at-home mums will favour capsule pieces they can mix, match and wash easily. A simple shorts and t-shirt combo can look intentional and put together when you choose wisely. Those of you who are post-work have the opportunity to have more freedom with your style, so why not experiment? Add colour through your accessories, shoes, hats, and glasses. For those that work, it’s about dressing more wisely: dresses that layer, co-ord outfits that feel fresh and accessories that make your neutrals pop.

If you're unsure where to start, book in for a colour refresh or mini style session. We’ll show you how to make your wardrobe work harder, and how to feel more 'you' even in the heat.

Heatwave to Cool-Down: The Transitional Trick

One minute you’re melting on the train, and the next you’re in a café with icy air-con blasting. The British summer is so fickle. So how do we dress for both?

It’s all about smart layering and colour pairing. Try combining a sleeveless dress or jumpsuit with a light duster coat or oversized shirt in your seasonal neutral. This adds polish and protection from surprise chills. Keep a scarf in your bag for shoulder coverage, impromptu breezes or even as a beach wrap.

Shoes matter too. Sandals are great for high heat, but a canvas trainer or loafer gives you more warmth on cooler days, and they’re often easier to walk in if you’re doing school runs, sightseeing, or errands.

The trick is to think like a stylist. What are the finishing pieces that pull your look together, make your colours sing, and help you stay cool, calm and collected?

Final Thoughts: The British Summer, Reimagined

Dressing for the British summer isn’t about trends or impossible outfit inspiration on Instagram. It’s about owning your confidence, understanding your colours, and making thoughtful choices that make your mornings easier and your wardrobe more fun.

Whether you’re juggling a job, a toddler, a retirement hobby, or all three, you deserve to feel good in your clothes, in your make-up, and in your own skin.

This summer, let colour do the heavy lifting. Let your palette guide your picks. And when in doubt? Add a pop of your wow colour, dress to feel cool and carry on.

You’ve got this, sun or no sun.

Click Here For British Summer Colour, Style & Make-up Inspiration

Enjoy your weekend! Next week's The Weekend Read is all about Hair: Cuts, Colour, Styles and more! Look out for that next Saturday.

Best wishes,

Jenny & Judi x

Jenny Goldsmith

Celebrator of Individuality

Curator of Confidence

Tel: 07986 062460

e: jenny.goldsmith@houseofcolour.co.uk

w: www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jennygoldsmith

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