summer wardrobe

I've been busy with work and university for the last few months, trying to get everything under control. Even though I didn't have a proper holiday this summer, I still ended up living out of a suitcase, because I went home, to Hamburg, back to Aachen, where I'm studying and working right now, just for one night, until I went on a business trip for the weekend. The following weekend I was at a festival, so I just repacked instead of unpacking.

With all the hustle and bustle, I learned how to combine a few pieces for multi-functional purposes. And I wanted to share some of my favourites with you.

I'll start simple and with the basics. I noticed that I didn't have all the basic pieces I needed because I didn't like to splurge on basics, but rather those that catch the eye. However, I often felt frustrated because I couldn't figure out an outfit even though I had plenty of clothes. If you know this feeling, then this should be a clear indicator that you need more basic pieces in your wardrobe.

I can't remember exactly who told me this or where I picked it up, but I always stick to the unspoken rule that only one piece of the outfit should be the focal point and the other pieces should highlight that piece. So if you only have stand-out pieces and nothing to accentuate them with, you'll struggle to put together an outfit for the day.

A short list of basics I can't do without:

- Tube tops in white and black

- Crop tops in white and black

- Tight black shorts

- Undershirts in white and in black

Get yourself a pair of sturdy and effortless looking black trousers. I've worn my trousers so many times this summer that I've lost count and I probably need to buy a new pair. I made sure they weren't too expensive so I could wear them casually without worrying about them getting stained.

The same goes for my loose-fitting white trousers, because nothing makes an outfit more summery than a pair of white trousers, especially when they are loose-fitting. I wore my white trousers a lot during my business trip because we had meetings in the morning and then went straight to casual events. The white trousers elevated every outfit while giving it an effortless appearance.

Another item I wore a lot was satin skirts. A satin skirt is the quickest way to an elegant summer outfit, even with a simple t-shirt. The only problem is that you can see quite quickly if the fabric is not pressed, which ruins the whole appeal of it. Pro-tip: Invest in a small steamer that you can put in your hand luggage. I never travel without my steamer. It's an item I cherish in all seasons.

Also, white and black button-down shirts are a must for your summer workwear. I wore one of them every day at the office. I simply paired them with different skirts and trousers.

As for shoes, I wore a lot of heels this summer as I spent a lot of time in the office. I invested in a couple of solid black pumps and a pair of white and black block heels. When I wasn't wearing heels, I wore my white pair of trainers.

Overall, I wore a lot of black and white clothes and combined them with colourful pieces to create a balanced look. In summer, the key is to keep your outfit simple so it doesn't look too heavy and stuffed. Choose light underwear and breathable pieces over it.