Shirts and Blouses for Warm Weather [AD]

Ad: Contains gifted items

With the weather finally warming up, many of us are searching for light, floaty clothes to keep us cool. It’s easy to slip into shorts and a t-shirt, but for days when you want to be a little smarter, light blouses and shirts are ideal. The new collection from Cotton Traders hits the mark completely. I’ve been trying out a few of their stylish garments for hot days.

Short Sleeved Blouses

I often turn to a sleeveless top on a hot day, but when the camera is out I do prefer to have my upper arms covered. That’s why I chose a Crinkle V-Neck Blouse for the summer. It has a delicate lace trim on the neckline and sleeve to give a little bit of detailing. Bust darts take the garment in a little in just the right place, giving it some shape despite its loose fit. Its short, loose sleeves are ideal for covering the upper arms without holding in the heat.

What I love the most about this top is that its crinkle material means it looks great, even after being worn and washed many times. It’s available in three colours – khaki, ivory and bright poppy.

I chose the poppy colour which is really vibrant and goes brilliantly with jeans or a smart pair of trousers. For a smart outfit, this looks great with a pair of everyday straight-leg trousers. My youngest daughter absolutely loves the colour and is begging me to find one in her size.

Long Sleeved Blouses

I don’t usually go for long-sleeved garments in warm weather, but occasionally I spot a top that can completely cover my arms without sticking to them or making me overheat. This Pintuck Lace Sleeve Blouse does just that.

Available in blue dusk, red berry and black, this blouse boasts gorgeous lace sleeves with elasticated cuffs. The lacey material is really light and breathable, offering full arm-coverage without trapping in the heat.

Pintucks to the front of the blouse give it a really nice shape and the faux mother-of-pearl buttons are both smart and easy to use. A box pleat to the back ensures that you look great from any angle and the notch neckline is really flattering too.

As with the short-sleeved blouse above, this is really versatile in terms of what you could wear it with. Denim shorts, a skirt or light trousers would all look great depending on the event you are wearing it for.

Other Practical Garments For Hot Days

Whilst I’m not someone who wears dresses a lot, I have to admit they are great for keeping cool in the heat and looking smart for work. Alongside my gorgeous blouses, I went for a practical stretch jersey midi-dress. I’m still a little obsessed with the Cotton Traders Blazer I had for my daywear to date night post.

Wearing a dress out for a daytime picnic and throwing on the blazer in the evening to smarten up for dinner feels so practical. It’s great to have garments that I can wear in multiple ways depending on the event.