It’s safe to say spring was something of a disappointment. However, already we find ourselves sitting on the cusp of a brand-new season and we can’t hide our optimism. The air feels warmer, sunshine days are starting to outnumber the drizzle and that holiday we booked all the way back in March is suddenly right around the corner. And we’re not the only ones feeling the excitement for summer – the high street has foregone monitoring the BBC Weather app in real time and skipped straight to the good stuff. Printed maxi dresses, bleached denim, bikinis, beach bags – all those pieces we associate with the good times that lie ahead. And we’ve already clocked the stand-out styles we just know we’ll be reaching for day in, day out thanks to Marks & Spencer.
With a frankly unmatched reputation for affordable and stylish pieces that feel a cut above the quality seen elsewhere on the high street, M&S is always a brand to watch at any time of year. But for summer, they real have outdone themselves. The summer collection showcases a bounty of the styles I like to wear when things hot up, from statement prints splashed across dresses and separates suited to fancier events through to the more understated mix of neutrals, breezy linens and cotton basics I live in day to day. These hard-working styles have been designed to cover all the plans on your agenda. And it’s not just the womenswear that’s done well to impress me – there’s plenty going on for the men's collection too, from weekend to wedding worthy.