“Thanks, it’s High Street”—The Rich-Looking Summer Outfit Formulas You Can Recreate On a Budget

Welcome to summer (and already the hottest on record)! After two heatwaves and a minor storm, figuring out what to wear on a daily basis feels that bit trickier than usual. Come rain or shine, easy outfit formulas are the cheat codes that get me through the seasons, and if there’s one way to impress with your styling, it’s looking rich.

Don’t get me wrong, when I say expensive, I don’t mean spending all of your hard earned cash on a new summer wardrobe. I simply mean re-wearing pieces in different combinations that give the impression that you always look elegantly “put together”. All of the polished dressers I know have a formula for every single occasion, temperature and budget, and after feverishly taking notes, I’ve managed to narrow their looks down to some very easy-to-recreate outfit ideas that say “I spend my summers abroad”.

As a relatively eclectic dresser, my own personal style shifts between classic minimalism and print clashing, so in putting together this list, I made sure there is something for everyone. Prints, sensible staples, crops for tall girls and skirts for petites, every outfit in this round up focuses on easy elegance that you can channel on a designer or a high street budget, and the result is a timeless summer fit that will invite compliments.

So if you too were looking for some inspiration on what to wear this summer that whispers wealth, then keep scrolling to see the seven rich-looking summer outfits chic dressers are wearing on repeat this summer.

1. Oxford Shirt + Cropped Trousers + Flip Flops

Style Notes: I’ve lost count of how many different ways I’ve seen an Oxford shirt styled over the last couple of years, and never once has it been regrettable. Smart, chic and always the easiest thing to wear in a heatwave, Lucy’s Oxford shirt and cigarette trousers combination brings a little bit of French styling to a British staple. And, if there’s any focal point to discuss about this look, it’s her choice of offsetting unexpected camel with a pop of poppy red. Rich-looking styling at it;s finest.

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2. Slip Dress + Flat Sandals

Style Notes: Okay, yes, silk and taffeta trousers are having a moment, but if we’re talking longevity and not quick micro trends, the satin slip dress has to be up there with one of the greats. Throw on at a moment’s notice and look like you’re ready for elegant evening plans (even if it’s a night in front of the TV). There’s something about the fluid fit that always makes the wearer glow, and by pairing it with an easy, all-day sandal, you can keep the look going for hours and hours.

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3. Cotton Midi Dress + Basket Bag

Style Notes: As soon as the temperatures rise, you’re going to want to trade in your restictive denim for something a little more breathable. Cute minis are always playful, and sweeping maxis bring the drama, but there’s something about a fuss-free midi that makes it the perfect choice on the days when you don’t know what to wear. White is always beautiful, but you’ll get a little more wear out of black, and teaming it with a simple sandal and a basket bag has “summer” written all over it.

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4. White Tee + Printed Skirt + Kitten Heels

Style Notes: Wondering how to dress up a plain white tee? How about with a little print? For those who want to look rich without overdoing it, maximalist prints and monogramming are a big no-no. Polka dots, however? Well, they conjure up images of summers in Capri, sat on top of a Vespa. The Italians might prefer classic black and white polka dot dresses, but there’s something about this cute, yellow knee length skirt that speaks to the 90’s city girl aesthetic, and that get’s a big yes from me.

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5. Camisole + Tailored Trousers + Sandals

Style Notes: Silky satins are back again, but this time in another guise —the eternally chic camisole. A little bit “underwear-as-outerwear”, a little bit “hot-weather-proof” practicality, the lace-trimmed cami has been everywhere this summer, making a welcome change from the usual jersey tank tops. Keep things really elevated by adding a tailored, wide-leg trouser and a leather flip flop for an easy desk-to-dinner option with just the change of a lipstick.

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6. Slogan Tee + Baggy Trousers + Ballet Flats

Style Notes: Hear me out, there’s something inherently rich about not wanting to look like you’ve made too much effort, and a slogan tee and baggy trousers are the deceptively cool off-duty look as championed by the likes of Victoria Beckham, Pedro Pascal and Hailey Bieber. Emma’s exact Gimaguas tee [above] is still available, but if you’re more of a plain tee person, stick with this bold colour clash by wearing primary colours with black tailoring for a nod to the statement-making contrast..

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7. All Black

Style Notes: Too much fuss is made over summer whites when there is conclusive proof like this that black is just as good (if not better). If I could recommend any “expensive looking” styling hack, I’d always start with head-to-toe colour drenching, you won’t ever have to think about what “goes” with what, because everything does, and adding points of interest in the bag and the shoes makes this an outfit well worth repeating time and again if not just for the compliments alone.

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