Summer is here and that means it’s time to update your wardrobe! We all know that trends come and go, so before you start investing in a new wardrobe take note of Catarina Midby, Head of Sustainability and Fashion Communication for H&M’s advice:
1 Invest in key pieces
“It all depends on your personal style,” says Catarina, but if you’re looking to update your seasonal wardrobe instantly go for:
Flared jeans: you can pair them with anything and they’ll give you that 70s silhouette without looking like an extra from That 70s Show.
A light, fitted knit: this is something that you can wear day, night, rain or shine. Go for one of H&M’s natural cotton knits which will let your skin breathe.
Prints: the easiest way to update your seasonal wardrobe is with a print. For print newbies, keep the rest of your outfit ‘paired-down’. Want to be bold? You can layer your print with an other neutral print like leopard for contrast (yes, leopard is considered a neutral!).
2 You don’t have to buy into every trend
White-on-white, pastels, nautical stripes… which one should you be buying into?! “Well at H&M there’s something for everyone. While we obviously do identify key catwalk trends for the season, that doesn’t mean that you have to wear all of them. You should wear what you feel suits your style personality,” explains Catarina. “Besides that, we always offer basics that go with everything, something that’s a little romantic and feminine, items that are sportswear-inspired and pieces that are tailored.”
3 Layer your whites
Yes, we know white is HUGE this season but head-to-toe white CAN look a little ‘clinical’. “It’s actually a surprisingly difficult colour to pull off especially if you’re wearing the hue head-to-toe. Rather layer different shades, finishes and textures of white to break it up,” says Catarina.
4 And if white isn’t the hue for you…
Rather go for nude or khaki. “Soft, blush hues are the perfect base colour for your wardrobe this summer. This shade is a main feature across the H&M collections this season” says Catarina. “The nude tones suit every skin tone and the best part is that you wan wear the hue all year round.”
5 You can never go wrong in black
If you’re in doubt as to what to wear for a night on the town just remember – an LBD never goes out of style!
6 Go for sustainable fabrics
“We’ve been working with sustainable fabrics for over 10 years now. It’s important to know where your clothes come from and the environmental impact they have. We’re focused on using renewable energy and more environmentally-friendly materials,” explains Catarina. What about recycling? H&M has launched a global garment-collection initiative which is being implemented across all markets (including SA) so if you have any clothes or linen that you no longer want, donate them at the in-store recycling bin. “We really want to use waste as a resource. For example the fabric and fibres from these clothes becomes part of our new collections in store. We also have a Conscious Collection which uses cutting-edge, sustainable fabrics,” says Catarina.
To see H&M’s latest collections, check out their website here.
Want to know more about H&M’s launch in SA? Here’s what you need to know about the Joburg store opening and the Balmain for H&M collection.
