A Guide To Summer Evening Dressing With Danielle Lazenis

Two brands I’ve been loving for summer eveningwear are Rat & Boa and Baobab Swim. This season, I’ve made a conscious effort to expand my colour palette beyond just black and white, and these brands make it so easy. Both of their latest collections are full of bright colours, unique patterns and fun styles – the pieces make me feel so glamorous but still really comfortable.

A statement bag and killer heels are all you need to take an outfit from day to night. I’ve been looking for a sparkly bag for ages and recently found the perfect one – the Cult Gaia Hera Nano Bag. It’s a work of art and instantly elevates any casual summer look for the evening. I’ve also been loving these Amina Muaddi inspired shoes from Zara. Everyone is going crazy for them, but more importantly, they’re incredibly comfortable.

My go-to summer evening outfit always includes white accessories and colourful fashion. It’s the best way to style up an evening look and keep it fun. Whether you’re in the city going for a nice dinner, or on holiday, you can pair white accessories with anything. I decided to buy these Bottega heels in white instead of black to lighten up all my summer looks – best decision ever.

My Baobab Swim dress is my favourite summer evening dress. I wore it on a girls’ night out in London last weekend and I received so many compliments. It’s so light and comfortable – especially during a heatwave – and the sparkly gold flecks make it feel extra special.

If you're not into dresses a good alternative is an oversized blazer with a cinched waist over a pair of shorts. I styled this white Sundarbay blazer over some white shorts from COS – a great combination on days when I need something smart for the office that will look chic in the evening too.

My Bottega Veneta Stretch Strap Sandals are the perfect evening heels. I’ve worn them so much in the few months I’ve had them and they’re more comfortable than I expected. Easy to walk in, they also go with every summer outfit I own and come in so many colours.

My favourite evening blazer is the Bea blazer from The Frankie Shop. The beautiful beige colour goes with everything in my wardrobe, and I’ve truly got my cost per wear out of it. I really love how The Frankie Shop does tailoring ­– trust me when I say every piece will work in your wardrobe for seasons to come.

If you’re looking for a brand that’s a bit trendier and extra The Bar is one to know. If I’m ever in search of a colourful and playful evening piece, it’s one of my go-tos. Every piece is so unique.

If I could only own one dress for the rest of my life it would be the ‘Shannon’ feather dress from Cult Gaia. It is the most glamorous dress for a summer night out or even a summer wedding. The feathers give it such a light and airy look – as well as keeping it fun and playful. Plus, the colour is flattering on a range of skin tones. The only downside is that it’s pretty expensive – you can rent it on HURR for a fraction of the price here.

Cut-out details are one of my favourite summer trends this year. So many brands have jumped on the bandwagon but it feels fresh. I love the look on both simple black and colourful dresses, and there are so many different options available. Amazuin Swim makes cut-out dresses using a comfortable, swimsuit-like material – ideal for hot summer days.

The dress I’ve felt the most amazing in is the Serafia dress from Rat & Boa. It’s such a statement piece for summer and I love how the long tassel scarf can be worn in the front or back. Wearing it makes me feel so confident and brings out the more adventurous side of my style.

The people I follow for summer fashion inspiration are Viky Rader, Jourdan Sloane and Amy Appleton Dreyer. None of them can do any wrong. In terms of celebrity style, my forever crush is Hailey Bieber. Her Grammy’s dress this year was breath-taking.

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