A very British summer.

If there's one thing we Brits are known for, it's talking about the weather. It seemed to me that it's one of those old clichés which turns out to be untrue - like the image that the French walk round in berets and striped tops saying "sacrebleu" all the time - but I've come to realise that the weather really is very commonly-discussed, partly because it's so changeable. What do Californians talk about with all that sunshine day in, day out? We may not have the hugely varying seasons, but you never know what's going to happen with English weather... as has been proved this summer!
Yesterday, it started off as a gorgeous day - really hot and sunny - but by 5pm it was PISSING it down, and I really do mean pissing it down.
Evidence:

(Not exactly a stylish outfit - I was in pyjamas at the time but I really wanted to soak myself in the rain, so I threw on some shorts (Primark) and added a ribbon belt to look at least a little respectable for my facebook friends).
Somehow, the storm failed to clear the humidity, so it's been horrible and muggy today. By 7pm, before going out to dinner, I was desperate to abandon clothes altogether and retire between the cool sheets of my bed entirely naked, but alas, social etiquette forbids this when you've got a dinner engagement, so I had to throw something together to keep me somewhat cool:
t-shirt - Polo Ralph Lauren (a cast-off from my dad); skirt - handmade from a vest top (it's got a navy blue underskirt) and a vintage scarf; clutch - Primark; flip flops - Accessorize.

It looks a little bit like a car crash, but I liked it. It made me feel carelessly chic, like I'd just bunged any old thing on and it had worked. The jury's probably out on that one, but I think it's how I'm going to play it this summer - baggy men's tee, belted at the waist, with a short short skirt and bare legs.
And a word about the flip flops - usually, I'm iffy about them unless on a beach somewhere in Italy or some similar hot place, but I think they worked. At least, they kept my feet cool (they were so swollen from shopping in not-very-comfortable shoes that I could barely get any other pair on!) and I like to think of them as "stylish" flip flops, if such a thing exists. The thong part is beaded! *hopeful smile*

Summer dressing and I have never really got along - luckily for me our summers are usually cool enough to get away with trousers if you want, but I hate the feeling that you're wearing tacky crap when you're away on holiday. All the bright colours and cheap prints make me a bit uneasy, and I feel much more comfortable in tights and scarves and layered cardigans in the winter. This year, though, I'm going to try and master summer dressing!
How are you all dressing for summer?
L.