As August unfolds, fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley navigates the seasonal dilemma: do you shop for the holiday you're enduring now or the one you'll pretend to enjoy in a jumper come October? Her monthly edit embraces the contradictions, offering a curated selection from ballet grip socks to a luxurious leather tote.
Playful Pilates Socks
For pilates enthusiasts, Cartner-Morley recommends H&M's ballet-style grip socks at £8.50. She admits to being "a little bit touchy about the stereotype of the pristine blonde, ponytailed pilates princess," but these socks, spotted on a classmate, won her over. "They are ridiculous but fun. I like to tie the ribbons around my ankles, Noel Streatfeild-style," she says.
Summer Jewelry and Home Fragrance
London-based brand L'Atelier 73 offers affordable, interesting jewelry. Her current favorite is the Palm Tree pendant necklace at £30, part of a collection featuring sun and cactus motifs in colorful enamel-plated copper. The adjustable woven rope braid allows versatility in length.
For home fragrance, Droplet's orange blossom reed diffuser at £40 combines Grasse-level scent with London design. Hand-blown glass and a single reed make it as elegant as a Diptyque candle. "I don't want to wait for cosy candle season for my home to smell nice, but I also don't want my bathroom to look like a cheap Airbnb," she notes.
Hair Care and High-Street Finds
No98 Beauty's Hydra Bond hair mask at £35 has become a staple for Cartner-Morley's fragile hair. Despite the 20-minute wait on damp hair, she finds it effective: "I run a bath, wet my hair and slather this on, then soak with a book or a podcast for a bit. It works!"
Topshop is making a comeback on the fashion desk, with pieces like the organza shirt in light pink at £38. "Isn't it nice to be able to buy Topshop and know the money isn't going to Philip Green?" she remarks, referencing the brand's new ownership. The shirt is ideal for evening wear over a colorful bra or camisole.
Trousers and Knits
Zara Srpls, the limited-edition premium line, delivers with ivory cotton cargo trousers at £69.99. "Perforated-cotton cargo trousers feel breezy and summery – tailored black trousers kill the vibe at this time of year – but they're still dressy," she says.
Snazzy jumpers are an undercelebrated category, according to Cartner-Morley. She highlights Essentiel Antwerp's navy, red, and pink fine-knit cardigan at £260, featuring a lace-trim collar and strawberry buttons. "Irresistible," she declares.
The Investment Bag
Longchamp's Le Smart L tote at £730 is her pick for a truly beautiful handbag. Made from luxurious topstitched, grained cowhide leather with subtle gold hardware, it's a step up from the brand's iconic Le Pliage. "£730, but what price true love?" she asks.
Shoes and Lingerie
Reiss's Mabel woven flat denim sandals at £158 offer an elegant alternative to flip-flops, with a padded sole and 2cm heel. Perfect with white jeans and a linen button-down.
Finally, M&S's contrast lace trim cami top at £36 embraces the underwear-as-outerwear trend. "This has been the year of bras visible under sheer layers, nighties on the beach," she observes. The classic lace camisole features timeless color, swanky eyelash lace, and adjustable straps.
