The Best Style Choices for Summer Clothes: Cut, Fabric, Fit and Brand Recommendations

Author: Tellar Style Team

Date: July 2025

Disclaimer: All advice is honest and unbiased, with no paid promotion or partnerships

Summer Styling: Why Fabric, Fit, and Feel Matter

Summer clothes aren’t just about looking good — they’re about staying cool, comfortable, and confident. Whether you’re dressing for UK heatwaves, beach holidays abroad, or just daily life in warmer weather, the right cut, material, and shape can make all the difference. This guide will break down the most flattering summer styles by body type, material recommendations, and brand-specific sizing quirks — all with live links to relevant content on Tellar.co.uk.

Light and Breezy: Best Summer Fabrics

Choosing breathable materials is essential to stay cool and avoid overheating. The best fabrics for summer include:

Linen – Naturally moisture-wicking and airy. See our best breathable linen guide
Cotton Voile or Poplin – Lightweight versions of cotton that don’t cling
Tencel / Lyocell – Silky feel but much more breathable than polyester
Chambray – A light denim look without the heat of heavy cotton
Modal and Bamboo blends – Soft, anti-bacterial and cooling

Avoid polyester or viscose unless they are blended with natural fibres.

Explore full material comparisons on breathable fabrics and summer sizing.

Best Summer Outfits by Body Shape

Every body suits summer dressing — the trick is picking the right shapes that flatter your proportions. Here's what to look for based on body type:

1. Pear-Shaped Bodies

Go for:

A-line skirts or skater dresses that skim hips
Square neck or halter tops to broaden the shoulders
Lighter shades on top, deeper tones on bottom

Explore our style guide for pear-shaped women

2. Apple-Shaped Bodies

Try:

Empire waist or babydoll cuts
V-necklines to lengthen the torso
Soft fabrics like modal that don’t cling to the midsection

Full styling here: Best clothes for apple shapes in summer

3. Athletic or Rectangle Body

Flatter your frame with:

Ruffled or gathered waist styles
Wide-leg culottes and wrap dresses
Crop tops with high-waist skirts or shorts

See best summer outfits for athletic body types

4. Hourglass Bodies

Enhance your shape with:

Wrap dresses or bias-cut slips
Cinched waist midis
Knotted tees with fluid skirts

Browse flattering summer styles for hourglass figures

Key Summer Pieces To Have in Rotation

1. The Linen Shirt Dress

Timeless, breathable, and easy to belt or wear loose. Brands like & Other Stories, Arket, and Mango offer cuts that suit a variety of frames. See non-crease summer dresses for travel-friendly options.

2. High-Waist Shorts

Great for petite, tall or curvy women alike — especially when made in cotton twill or linen. Discover best shorts for running and everyday wear

3. Floaty Wide-Leg Trousers

Perfect for heat with an elegant drape. Tencel or rayon versions from Whistles, Hush, or Nobody’s Child are highly rated.

Explore loose and flowy fashion recommendations

4. Crop Blouses & Tie-Front Tops

Ideal for pairing with high-rise bottoms and creating shape through the waist.

5. Bias-Cut Midi Dresses

Flattering on most body types, easy to wear day or night. Find your bias-cut summer style

Designer and High Street Brands That Nail Summer Fashion

Tellar.co.uk independently analyses thousands of brands to find the true size fit, so here are some summer-friendly labels that perform well in both style and breathability:

✅ Massimo Dutti

Great for elevated cotton basics and neutral-toned linens. See Massimo Dutti size guide

✅ Hush

Relaxed summer trousers, beachy coverups, and everyday cotton dresses. Sizing runs roomy — perfect for hot days.

✅ Nobody’s Child

Affordable and sustainable, with light jersey dresses, co-ords, and breathable materials. Great for petites.

Explore: best brands for petite summer clothes

✅ Aligne and Reformation

Both offer eco-fabrics and timeless summer cuts like midi wrap dresses, puff sleeve blouses, and bias skirts.

✅ COS

Structured shapes, clean lines, and breathable stretch fabrics. Ideal for minimalists and heat-conscious dressers.

Common Summer Style Mistakes to Avoid

Wearing dark colours – These absorb heat. Opt for pale, natural tones where possible
Clingy synthetics – They trap sweat and create discomfort
Too many layers – Instead of layering, pick breathable cuts with built-in shape like shirred bodices or elastic waists
Ignoring sun protection – Choose wide-brim hats, cover-up dresses, or long-sleeve linens where needed

Find Your Real Size in Summer Brands — With No Guesswork

Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading free sizing tool. You enter your measurements — we instantly match them to the right size in over 1,500 brands, including every brand mentioned in this guide.

🟢 No more size guides

🟢 Instant results by brand

🟢 Includes petite, tall, plus and mainstream fits

🟢 Free printable measuring tape

🟢 Works across dresses, trousers, shorts, tops, and more

➤ Get your personalised summer size now

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Final Thoughts

Summer dressing is about comfort, breathability, and confidence. With the right styles for your body shape and a fabric-first approach, you can build a wardrobe that works even on the hottest days. Skip the frustration of guessing sizes — Tellar.co.uk helps you shop smarter, not harder.

Find your size in seconds. It’s free & easy.

➤ Visit Tellar.co.uk