After a long winter in lockdown here in the UK, we are finally allowed to meet some friends outside at parks or in our gardens for some much needed socialising. The combination of the relaxation of rules and the fact that the UK was hit with a little heatwave in the same week has got us all excited for the warmer months and spending some time outside, but what this also means is that we can ditch the loungewear that we have been living in for months and switch it up for some exciting picnic outfits and garden party frocks. We have gathered up some outfit ideas and must have items from easy layering for staying warm outside to accessories to add a bit of extra to any outfit while looking summery and festive for those highly awaited social gatherings.

The ultimate summer day dress is of course the go-to outfit on our lists. Pink City Prints has the perfect styles for your ultimate summer looks. The Isabel dress in the gorgeous peach print is such an easy relaxed summer style to throw on with some sandals or white trainers for the ultimate summer look. The Laura dress is a lovely Spanish retro inspired dress that is such an easy style for those daytime picnic looks. And it's finished off with pockets, which is always a plus with dresses.

For the sunnier days it’s important to keep your skin shielded from the sun. Adding a hat to any outfit will finish off the look with an extra touch of glamour, but also will shield your face and skin from the harsh sunny uv rays. Depending on the look your going for add a pop of leopard print with a casual GANNI bucket hat or if you’re looking for a more feminine romantic look, opt for the Bellerose Parlo straw hat that has a vintage look with a ribbon that can be tied below the chin or to the back.

Lightweight jackets are also such a great item to have for any outdoor gathering. With the weather changing and temperatures still going up and down even within one day it’s always a good idea to do some simple light layering to stay on top of the changing weather. If you’re dying to wear that new summer skirt with a trendy tee, but the weather isn’t quite warm enough yet, adding a simple lightweight jacket will always finish off the outfit strong. The Brenda jacket from Five is a great mix of feminine and edgy details and it will keep you warm in style without being too heavy when the spring sun decides to come out.

 A classic simple look for any picnic or outdoor event is always a light jumper with your favourite jeans or trousers. 360 Cashmere has a variety of light spring knits that you can layer over shirts for easy layered looks and to add a bit of colour to your outfit. Finish off the look with some loose fit jeans and white trainers. Another timeless look is a striped jumper, which will go with basically anything in your wardrobe. Add a pair of olive green culottes to your spring wardrobe and we guarantee you they will get styled over and over again for any occasion.

Last but not least, an important accessory for any outdoor event is of course some great shoes. If we are spending more time outdoors, it’s important that we not only have a great comfortable outfit, but that we also have comfortable shoes that finish off the look. Veja trainers are very on trend at the moment and they have a variety of styles to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a pop of colour with your white trainers or a classic high top neutral look, you can’t go wrong. And if you’re looking for a more daring look, GANNI has a great pair of colourful trainers that are guaranteed to get everyone’s attention. Of course, when the weather is still a bit colder, you might want to opt for some ankle boots with your summer dresses. Add a fun sock to peek out of the top of the boot for an added feminine detail.