Cotton fabrics, white or pastel shades, cherry and ice-lolly prints, broderie anglaise and embroidery: everything you need for a carefree summer, just like when you were a little girl.

As a top, a tunic or even underwear — think Armani's collection — you'll find playful motifs and natural textures, a treat for both eye and skin. A little retro, very breezy, this wardrobe lifts your mood the moment you get dressed.

It's THE look of the season: hippie chic, bohemian at heart but sharp in the cut, and it's everywhere — on the street and on the rails. So let's get to it. Here are a few essentials for the summer ahead.

Back view of a woman wearing an embroidered cotton tunic and flared jeans, a raffia bag over her shoulder
This summer's bohemian chic, spotted on the street and on the rails

& Other Stories' summer collection sets the tone immediately: light, luminous white, bohemian but still chic. You can picture yourself on the beach already, dress on, a lovely golden glow… bring on summer!

Worth a close look too: Boux Avenue's summer lingerie collection — cheeky pieces in red-berry prints, pears and apples, or chocolate, echoing the vests you wore as a little girl but far sexier. In short, knickers good enough to eat at a friendly price: no need to spend a fortune to feel sexy.

A red-berry print lingerie set being worn, framed from bust to hips
Summer lingerie in red-berry prints, worn vest-style

Platform shoes are back in a big way, which is perfect because they'll work beautifully with that & Other Stories dress! Take a look at Elle's summer collection in particular, which has pretty platforms with woven cotton straps, in shades of green or pink — spot on for the season's light-and-easy mood. You'll also find lovely pairs at Dune London, with brown wood-effect soles, or in black leather for a more femme-fatale mood…

Black leather platform shoes with wood-effect soles worn on pale paving
At Dune London, platforms turn up with wood-effect soles

Also worth noting: the nautical print is back with a vengeance. You'll find it very sharp at Ralph Lauren or Whistles, and at high-street prices at H&M too (and no less chic for it!). Pair a striped nautical top with white mini shorts for a sailor-girl effect, or with plain jeans for an easy, fashion-forward look.

Blue and white striped nautical top worn with plain white shorts
The nautical print — keep everything else plain to stay chic

Sadly we can't cover every summer trend in one article, so we're sticking to the essentials — and cut-out swimwear is one of them. Yes, you no longer need a teeny-tiny bikini to feel sexy: these days the big swimwear houses offer the cut-out swimsuit, which reveals glimpses of the body — only the bits you're happy to show. Less exposed than a bikini but far sexier than a plain one-piece, and sometimes genuinely classy, it makes a good middle ground. Take a close look at Eres.

A cut-out one-piece swimsuit worn beside a bright swimming pool
The cut-out swimsuit: classier than a bikini, sexier than a one-piece

To go with your boho-chic look, try Guerlain Terracotta Light healthy-glow bronzing powder — for brunettes (with a touch of orange) or for blondes (with a hint of pink), finished with a touch of gold for a warming, sun-kissed effect.

Open bronzing powder compact with orange and pink shades flecked with gold
The gold-flecked bronzing powder warms up a summer complexion

Finally, add a pair of big Chanel or Dior sunglasses if you can, and you're there — you've nailed the look!

Oversized black-framed sunglasses resting on cream linen
Oversized dark sunglasses finish off the summer look

The anti-fancy-dress rule: the moment a piece has a bold print — fruity, nautical — keep everything else plain and understated. One printed top, one neutral bottom: that's the simple rule that keeps the look chic rather than costumed.

Budget

It's impossible to give a single price, given how much they swing from piece to piece and brand to brand. On the high street and at purse-friendly fashion chains, expect around £20–50 for a pair of platforms, and £10–30 for an item of printed lingerie. For cut-out swimwear, the range often starts around £40–50 and climbs quickly past £100–150 at swimwear labels. For sunglasses, don't skimp on UV protection: better a plain pair that filters well than a big-name frame that doesn't. A nautical top or an embroidered cotton tunic, meanwhile, usually comes in at £15–60 depending on fabric quality.