Crisp, cool and clean, white has long been one of the definitive colours of summer. The best white evening dresses exude classic Hollywood glamour mixed with elegant purity and understatement. If you get your whites right, you’ll steal the show at a party without even looking like you’re trying. Here are a few of our favourites…

There’s nothing sadder than finding that perfect outfit after a long day of trawling the high street, only to look at the price tag and realise you’d have to re-mortgage your home just to afford it. But gorgeous clothes don’t necessarily need to break the bank – which is why here at Freemans we’ve launched a handy ‘fashion for less’ boutique on our homepage. Here’s a guide to our pick of the pack, all a steal at under £30.

Traditionally, we’re a reserved lot here in the UK, and the classic British look has always been essentially understated – with a hint of ostentation for a special occasion. Nobody understands that better than the Duchess of Cambridge, who once again scored an effortless fashion victory at last weekend’s Jubilee in a classy long-sleeved red dress by Alexandra McQueen. The maple-leaf hat added a celebratory touch, but the dress was in the classic Middleton mould of looking great without giving too much away. This gorgeous short sleeve wrap dress with smooth, flattering silhouette, mid-length sleeves and a below-the-knee skirt just oozes royal class.

Whether they’re wrapped in a skirt, a summer day dress or a pair of shorts, there’s a good chance your legs are going to get an airing this season. As well they should – nobody wants to spend the sunny weather sweltering in tight jeans or tracksuits. But if we aren’t exactly gifted with the kind of effortlessly shapely pins that the likes of Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston are blessed with, it’s easy to feel a little self-conscious – which is where our footwear choices become important.

With the jubilee celebrations heralding a glorious four-day weekend, the long overdue summer heat wave couldn’t have come at a better time. Staying indoors simply isn’t an option in these temperatures, so whether you’re throwing a patriotic party, barbecuing with the family or sipping drinks with friends in a crowded beer garden, you’d best make sure you have some appropriate attire handy. Thankfully, here at Freemans we’ve got a range of gorgeous summer dresses to help you to stay cool in style.

If you work in an office or other smart-casual environment, the onset of the summer heat wave can provide something of a style conundrum. The long-sleeve blouses and suit-trousers that got us through the winter months can quickly start to leave us feeling constricted and overheated. So investing in some professional but lightweight summer office wear should be a major priority for the coming months. After all, it’s depressing enough to be stuck indoors in this weather without worrying about sweat patches and heavy, constrictive fabrics.

Fashion is having a bit of a futuristic moment this season, with the soft reflective sheen of metallic making a major comeback. This month alone we’ve seen Heidi Klum rocking the red carpet in a stunning silver two-piece while lady of the moment Rihanna was spotted looking uncharacteristically demure in a floor length metallic maxi dress.

The appeal of metallics to the stars isn’t difficult to figure out. It’s bold without being brash, looks great against almost any skin tone – although if you’re very pale you might want to accessorise it with something in a warmer colour to avoid the ice maiden look – and lends itself beautifully to a bit of statement jewellery.

There isn’t much in fashion that divides opinion quite like the stripe. For a long time the received wisdom was that less should always be more – a striped motif should be a supporting role in your outfit, and never take centre stage. But recently the worm has started to turn and bold stripes are popping up all over the place. Cheryl Cole, for example, never saw a striped trouser she didn’t like. But Cheryl Cole could wear a bin liner and look chic, and if you get your stripes wrong you could still be in for a fashion disaster of devastating proportions.

As much as we love a good heel, when you’re walking on the beach sandals are much more practical, not to mention comfortable! We’ve recently added a host of brand new holiday sandals to our range, so there’s bound to be something for you no matter what your personal style. You could opt for glamorous simplicity with these Reiker Toe Post Sandals, or a distinctive hippie-chic look with these ornate Bugatti Toe Post Sandals. If you can’t live without a touch of elevation, consider a chunky wedge sandal like these Reiker Slingbacks.

When it comes to shopping for a holiday abroad, it’s easy to forget something essential. That’s why Freemans have created the Holiday Shop, packed with hand-selected travel essentials, including beach-friendly swimwear, sun-dresses and sandals, menswear and kidswear. So why waste valuable sunbathing time trawling through over-priced and under-stocked local stores to replace your forgotten holiday clothes when you can find everything you need right here with us?