This weekend I retired my all-time favourite summer top after accidentally ripping it on a piece of door furniture.
White cotton, scattered with pink flowers trailing across green vines, it was easy, light, pretty and worked like a dream with jeans - everything a summer top is supposed to be.
Which brings me to this charming floral cotton top from Next, newly released in pink and white, as well as a blue-and-white floral stripe, for £30.
Ordinarily, it isn't the sort of top I'd write about. It doesn't fit neatly into a category. It's not for work, an occasion or a date night. Then it dawned on me, my old cotton top wasn't bought for an occasion either, but over time, it became the backbone of my everyday summer wardrobe. I just didn't realise it until it was gone.
Pink/White Floral Print Button Front Smocked Top
Pink/White Floral Print Button Front Smocked Top
I wore it on holiday, to weekend picnics, through heatwaves and lazy afternoons at home. It worked with tailored shorts, jeans and floaty skirts or airy, loose trousers. Whenever I wanted to look summery without thinking more than five seconds about it, I reached for that top.
Blue Floral Stripe Flutter Sleeve Button Front Smocked Top
Blue Floral Stripe Flutter Sleeve Button Front Smocked Top
Losing it has left a gap in my wardrobe. One that Next's version might be able to fill. It has airy short sleeves, gentle shirring through the body for shape without cling, and a softly ruffled hem. I'd wear it buttoned to the frilled collar or slightly unbuttoned over a camisole for a more relaxed look.
That's the thing about a great summery cotton top. It has the power to gently overhaul all of your summer basics. With the benefit of hindsight, no summer wardrobe feels truly complete without one.
