Summer sweats: Covering up for a cool summers evening*

I may be the first person to ever say this in England, but it’s officially too hot! I know I shouldn’t complain as the U.K usually gets a rare 10 days of sunshine a year. However, for someone like me (majority black wardrobe), this heatwave is a shock to the system and poses the question of ‘well, what do I wear now?’ Deciding what to wear in temperatures of 31 degrees without walking around naked (illegal) is tricky. Let’s be honest, there are an abundance of summer clothing options out there – shorts, playsuit, dresses – you name it! The only issue is when the temperature drops in the evening, what on earth do I wear? Do I need 5 Mariah Carey style outfit changes? It’s all good when you leave the house in the morning and it's 25 degrees. However when it drops to 10 degrees at night and you're shivering whilst waiting for your Uber driver in nothing but a strappy dress completely regretting your life choices  – what do you do? Introducing this seasons must have cover up items for cool evenings and the importance of layering. Whether it’s a black women’s hoodie (you can never have too many hoodies or sweaters), cropped jacket, shawl or bomber jacket - there are plenty of cover options for those cooler summer evenings.








I lean towards autumn/winter fashion more than summer fashion, so the Illusion Zip Sweat from NICCE is my personal favourite at the moment. It’s something different to what I usually go for but as the colour is white, it'll will go with a wide combination of outfits. As we enter the summer, it’s also the start of festival season…Wireless, Lovebox, Bestival, Reading and Leeds. etc. Whenever I go to a festival, I tend to forget that at some point the sun will disappear and it will become night time. Yes, I may look cute in a pair of denim cutoffs and copious amounts of glitter in the day, but when you're watching the headline act at a 9pm as the sun is setting, it can get cold. Note to self: tie this little number around your waist when you go to Lovebox festival this weekend!  

The big dilemma is that no-one likes to carry a cover up with around with them all day. Solution: tie it around your waist or throw it in your bag and you're good to go.

A cover up is definitely required if you're heading to a festival this summer. Another great thing about them is the fact that they can completely change an outfit. Putting on a cover up can take you from 0 to 100 in a second, which is perfect for the girl (or guy) on the go. Literally from vest top, skirt and flip flops to a skirt, cropped hoody and trainers for an evening chilling with friends at a rooftop bar.  Side note: Peckham Levels is a great rooftop venue if you're London based.








Another over outfit suggestion is the classy Kimono. Light enough to throw in your bag during the day yet warm enough to keep you from dying of hypothermia when the temperature drops (okay, slight exaggeration). Again, another festival favourite - what better for when you’re at a festival and in need of a bit of tassel/fringing. Kimonos are perfect for a range of different environments - weddings or even a casual outfit paired with jeans and vest top. If you're in need a cross between a jacket and cardigan, throw a kimono in your bag and you're sorted.

The moral of the story is that there are an abundance of cover up options out there, and no-one should freeze whilst waiting for their Uber driver or whilst being sat on an overly air conditioned train.

How do you plan on braving the summer evening chill?

Outfit details 

Cropped sweat - NICCE
Skirt - H&M
Trainers - Boxfresh

Mx

NB: This post was a collaboration with NICCE. However all opinions are honest and my own.