I’m a Nottingham fashion stylist — here’s what to wear this summer
From butter yellow to stripes, Bee Newham shares her top seasonal picks...
Wondering what to wear now summer has arrived? Nottingham-based fashion stylist Bee Newham has got you covered with a range of stylish trends to try, as well as where to shop them from.
She has styled celebrities and runways, as well as dressing models for international photo shoots. However, her favourite people to dress are modern women and men who often feel overwhelmed with fashion, and struggle to know how to navigate their own wardrobes.
If shopping is one of your favourite things to do in Nottingham, Bee has put together her top summery picks. To find out more about her and how she helps people turn fashion from overwhelming to effortless with her styling services, you can subscribe to her Substack.
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5 trends to shop in Nottingham this summer
By Bee Newham
Studio photos by Abi Buck Photography
As a stylist, my favourite fashion season to dress is spring/summer. I love the floaty fabrics, playful accessories, and not having my outfit covered up by a coat!
However, for many of my clients, it can be their least favourite season for dressing, which I can completely understand. There seem to be more trends in summer, which can leave people feeling confused and spending money on items that don’t align with their style.
Plus, dressing for warm weather and the office can also be challenging. Finding pieces that keep you cool but don’t show off too much skin can be tricky.
With this in mind, these are my favourite trends for summer and what I have seen people wearing on the streets of Nottingham.
Stripes
For years, florals seemed to dominate the spring/summer catwalks. However, it’s time for them to move over and make way for stripes. This season, they are having a moment and are taking centre stage.
From bold stripes to thin delicate ones, nothing is off limits. I love these nautical inspired trousers from Zara paired with the matching halter top. This is a statement look, so keep your accessories simple. I would pair it with strappy sandals and lots of gold jewellery.
Head to toe stripes a bit much for you? Simply wear a striped linen shirt, like this H&M option. The chances are you already have one in your wardrobe — it’s just about how you style it.
I love wearing a shirt as a jacket, and tell all of my clients to do the same. Simply layer a vest or t-shirt underneath, roll-up the sleeves and keep all the buttons open. This would look great worn with a pair of linen trousers, a cotton skirt, or jeans.
If the weather is a bit cooler, wear it open but layer it underneath a trench coat, blazer or leather jacket. Just make sure that the shirt isn’t longer than the jacket itself. An inch or two longer is fine, but your outfit can start to look a bit messy if it is any more than that.
Lace
Boho was all over the catwalks for spring/summer 2025, and lace is a great way to give a subtle nod to it. Look for lace-trimmed camisoles and skirts or, if you are feeling brave, a sheer lace skirt works well for a night out or on holiday. Vintage is also a great place to start if you want to dip your toe in the trend. I’ve recently purchased a vintage Marks and Spencer lace cami, and I can’t wait to wear it this summer!
Nottingham has some amazing vintage and preloved shops. My favourites include COW, Glass Onion and Re-addressedFashion. If you are looking to add some lace to your summer wardrobe, these are great places to start looking.
Butter yellow
Butter yellow is the colour of the season! It’s soft, soothing and is perfect to wear in the sunshine. It looks beautiful with blue and also pairs really well with other pastel shades.
If it’s not a colour you can pull off, wear it away from your face and on your bottom half. These trousers from H&M are a great way to pull-off the shade. It also works well as an accessory — John Lewis has a pretty faux leather bag which is a perfect run-around option.
Linen
Alongside cotton, linen is a great fabric for spring/summer. It’s lightweight, breathable and will help keep you cool in warm weather. It’s a great fabric for work as it looks smart and can be dressed up or down. I know it creases easily, but I think that is part of its charm. If you are worried about creasing, look for a linen/cotton blend which won’t crease as easily.
I love wearing a pair of linen trousers (like these linen-blend trousers from H&M) with either a t-shirt or linen shirt (this H&M shirt matches the trousers) on top. Or, wear the trousers on holiday with a bikini or swimsuit, flip flops and a woven leather handbag.
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Accessories
Finally, utilising playful accessories is my favourite way to add some interest to a spring/summer outfit. When the weather is warmer you need fewer clothes, and therefore there are fewer ways to add interest and texture to a look. This is where accessories do all the heavy lifting for your outfit.
My favourite accessories for spring/summer include a woven leather bag. This can be in any colour and works as well for the office as it does for the beach. I love this chocolate brown one from H&M, which would look beautiful with an all-brown outfit for a tonal look.
Silk scarves are having a moment, and Zara has a great selection. Depending on the style you can wear them around your neck, tied at your hip over trousers or as a chic bandana on holiday. If this sounds too much, then simply tie it around your handbag handle for a fun pop of colour and print.
Also don’t forget about shopping in the men’s section, which I often do. There is a great selection of bandanas in Zara’s men’s collection, which come in more subdued prints and patterns if you don’t want anything too bold.
Lastly, think about how you can add a belt to your outfit. It may not sound like the most exciting addition, but I promise you it makes a big difference. Also if I had a pound for every time a client didn’t own a belt, I would be rich!
If you don’t own a single belt like many of my clients, I would start with a plain black or brown belt. Choose the hardware to match the jewellery you wear the most, so it ties in with the rest of your outfit. However, you can easily mix and match gold and silver tones together if you wish.
beenewhamstylist.com
@beenewhamstylist
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