It’s that time of year again that magazines, TV and the fashion industry at large start piling on the pressure for women to lose weight and tone up so that they’re ‘beach body ready’. So we want to be really clear here – every single body on the planet is beach-ready. Because if you have a body, then you can take it to the beach and enjoy splashing in the waves, soaking up the sun and sipping cocktails with sand between your toes.
But let’s face it, summer in the UK can be a bit variable. We get a heatwave one week, followed by two weeks of drizzle and cold. So when we do get that warm sunshine, we need to make the most of it!
Enter – Hot Girl Summer – feeling confident in who you are, and having fun and looking good while doing it!
At Elle Courbee we’re huge fans of the hot girl summer, and of making sure you feel confident and look great no matter where you are. With that in mind, here are our favourite outfits and tips to make the most of hot girl summer in 2022.
The Bodycon Dress
Bodycon dresses come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but the fit always stays the same. This clingy, body-hugging dress has been in fashion for a while now, and it looks like it’s going to stick around for the rest of the year at least. Which is just as well, because it’s the perfect dress for summer wear, keeping you cool and they are super versatile too. Just a few ways you can style it include:
- With a denim jacket and trainers, for a great casual day look.
- Dress things up with thigh-high boots and a short bodycon dress.
- Drape a blazer over your shoulders and strap on some high heels for an effortlessly elegant look.
- High neck and sleeveless for a sexy silhouette and minimal accessorising.
- The ‘baddie’ look with a long trench coat.
And there are so many more ways to wear them! Whatever your shape, we love a bodycon dress, so if you have one hiding in the back of your wardrobe it’s time to bring it out.
Make Some Time For You
Hot girl summer is all about making yourself feel great and boosting your confidence. So it’s a great time to give back to yourself and carve out some real ‘you’ time. Got that book you always wanted to read? Cloister yourself away and read. Want to binge watch your favourite show with your friends eating pizza? Do it! In the words of the founder of hot girl summer Megan Thee Stallion ‘it’s about living your truth’. Go out and spend time with friends and family, enjoy the sunshine and enjoy reconnecting with yourself too.
Bring Out The Bikini
Swimwear trends come and go every year, but if you want to embrace your own hot girl summer you need a good bikini. Something that shows off all of those amazing curves and lets your body get maximum sun at the same time. We really want to hammer this home – your body is beach body ready, no matter what size it is. And since 2012 and the ‘fatkini’ movement, there are more style options available than ever for sexy bikinis in bigger sizes. We particularly love this active swimwear collection by Ruby Love, (which also contains period-proof lining so you can swim anytime), and this year’s collection from Yours Clothing has some truly gorgeous tankinis to choose from.
So if you’re near the beach, out in the park or just sunbathing in the back garden, get out your bikini and soak up that Vitamin D!
Experiment With Your Style
There was a time when ‘hot girl summer’ means mini dresses and high heels. But after 2 years in loungewear thanks to Covid, many of us aren’t that interested in the high heels part! Use this summer as a chance to experiment with new styles, cuts and colours. Make this summer less about being fashionable, and more about being ‘cool’ in your own view. Wear what you love with price and try something different. After all, we’re all unique, so why not stand out with your own look? As long as YOU feel hot (but not temperature hot), that’s what matters!
Ultimately hot girl summer is all about self-confidence and embracing yourself as you are. Be unapologetically you, wear what makes you feel good and comfortable, and don’t be afraid to let the inner you shine through. We know sometimes that’s hard, but we are giving you permission to unleash the true you.