My budget for two months of the year – July and August – completely and utterly goes out of the window. Its sale season and for some inexplicable reason, I never seem to have anything to wear for the summer.
Each year the focus is different. For example, last year it was a lack of summer make-up and this month, I have been browsing for tote bags and flat sandals. Honestly, my search for flat sandals is a lost cause as along with my father’s serious attitude to life, I’ve also inherited his unladylike feet.
So, yup tote bags and summer dresses top my shopping list. However, before that, if you have a little person in your house, who is obsessed with Peppa Pig, then the first item is for you.
Peppa Pig: Big Adventure Personalised Book
Not-on-the-high-street, is an independent retail site, and PENWIZARD always you to personalise a friend for a Peppa and George adventure. I’ve just had mine delivered and it is worth every penny, as you can personalise hair, skin and eye colours as well as gender.
Here is the link to PENWIZARD. Available for sale for £15.99 excluding shipping.
The dresses I actually bought
I love Karen Millen but they were so focussed on workwear that the brand had lost some of its appeal to me. All that clearly has changed with COVID. Styles are more relaxed and also, brighter. The same holds for LK Bennett.
These are two dresses that I absolutely love. Yes, there are cheaper brands but I have dresses from both brands that are easily a decade old and I would easily wear them today because of the quality of fabrics used is second to none.
Contrast Broderie Woven Strappy Maxi Dress by Karen Millen
Currently retails at £104 (with an extra 10% off with the code DRESS). Available for sale at Karen Millen with £10 worldwide delivery!
The Cheetah print dress and the Navy Daisy dress – L K Bennett
It is ironic that after claiming I really want a bunch of colourful, summery dresses, I ended up ordering my de facto pallet of shades of white, blue and black.
The May Cheetah Silk dress is £175 (50% off) and unfortunately, the model’s pose does not the dress any justice. You cannot tell the tailoring is excellent or that there is a belt at the mid-waist section, which allows you to give an effective swirl (should the occasion so require). Click on this link to purchase the dress.
The second dress is made of daisies and its only on closer inspection that you realise its a pretty as buttercups print. Honestly, L K Bennett needs to change its photographer. The dress is on sale for £112 and there are a limited number of sizes available. Click on this link to purchase the dress.
Finally…the tote bags!!
The ultimate tote bag, is of course anything from Dior (the Small Dior Book tote looks amazing), Chanel or Louis Vuitton.
I am assuming that like me you are looking at something cheaper.
Anya Hindmarch tote bag
I am a big fan of the Neeson tote bags (which currently are on sale for Euros 700). It is a two-way tote bag, so its possible to wear it over the shoulder or clutch it by the handles.
Fyi this is a massive bag and quite heavy. I would try this out in a shop before purchasing.
ALAÏA Leather Mina 32 Tote Bag (GBP 1,700 at Harrods)
This handbag just screams summer to me. I love symmetry and the intricate geometric symmetry of this bag makes it a work of art in my book..
The bag actually is smaller than it looks. The dimensions are H24cm x W32cm x D17cm
Cactus Leather Tote Bag by Mianqa
I have no vegan leather bags. The product description of this bag is, “This spacious bag is handmade from plant-based vegan leather, namely “cactus leather”. Cactus leather is a highly organic and environmentally friendly material, made from Nopal cactus, also known as the prickly pear” which at US$ 256 is a bargain. I am put off by the cactus monogram in the front.
However, it is a sustainable luxury product, so I am going to order it and see how it looks…Available for sale at Wolf and Badger
Cloth tote bags
I like cloth tote bags because you can always chuck them in the washing and I’m no going to be upset if a drink spills into it. I have cloth/canvas totes from the MET, V&A, the New Yorker and the Daunt bookshop in London.
The Met Logo Canvas Tote is the size of a small country and will set you back US$ 35 plus shipping. The V&A Bird & Strawberry cloth tote is much cheaper at £8.50. Finally, you can actually buy New Yorker bags without having to purchase a subscription. I have found several on Amazon. However, I would advocate a subscription. Here is a link to the New Yorker magazine.
If you are fortunate enough to visit London this summer, then please do make the Daunt bookshop a stop on your itinerary. You will not regret the thoughtful composition of the books stocked or the old school beauty of this shop. Tote bags start from £5 but I have my eyes on this £15 version, which has gold print. If you are thinking such an Indian (your are not wrong).
