Because it's bank holiday!

Eve Bailey:

This bank holiday I have exactly one plan: wine and dine with a very special someone… myself. The weather gods have apparently decided London deserves 30 degrees across the board, which sounds lovely in theory, but as someone who neither tans nor owns a typical summer wardrobe, heatwaves become less about cosplaying the European summer and more a Victorian woman succumbing to the vapours.

While everyone else crisps themselves golden on the heath with an M&S picnic, I’ll be sticking to my annual black-clothing-in-a-heatwave survival guide: restaurants with excellent air conditioning and the option of half-shade alfresco dining. Balance is key.

To kick things off, I’ll be heading to London Shell Co for their £2 oyster happy hour, because if I’m going to overheat, I may as well do it elegantly. The outfit revolves around a pair of long (almost too long) black linen tailored trousers, heeled black sandals, specifically the Ganni x Melissa in black and leopard, my current fixation, and a multi-coloured pastel manicure purely to convince people I do, occasionally, experience joy. Add in my new Joseph sunglasses, acquired after what can only be described as a spiritually taxing sunglasses hunt (big-head girls, you understand my struggle), soft heatwave waves courtesy of the Davines OI All In One Milk, and, naturally, a vintage sequin JW Anderson bag, because I firmly believe every black outfit benefits from at least one mildly impractical detail.

Matteo Pini:

I am a chronic over-planner and I’ve found myself inching towards this bank holiday weekend with a stupidly stacked schedule: gigs, parties, a club night (or three). In the knowledge that I’ll likely be spending more time on the Windrush line than lying in the grass eating grapes, my mantra for this weekend is “keep your cool”. I’m obsessed with Swedish essentials brand CDLP, and these flowy trousers, made from a breathable cupro blend, will do double duty in the park and in the mosh pit. I’ll pair them with the most gorgeous shirt from Ukrainian brand Etnodim – whose lightweight linen garments incorporate traditional embroidery methods – and a pair of NN.07xGrenson mules, perfect to slip into after running through the grass.

I’m something of a pack rat: wherever I go, I need a charger, a book and preferably some sweets to stop me from fainting. These will all go into a squidgy moon-shaped bag from everyone’s favourite leatherware designers Sonya Lee, as well as this chic Chilly’s bottle in a metallic finish – I like to put ice in mine so it stays cool all day long. Though I tan fairly well, I have a tendency towards dryness in the hot London summer, so the lightweight texture of this Dr. Dennis Gross Replenishing Cream will be perfect for brightening any dull, dehydrated skin.

On Sunday, I’m going to be exhausted from all the frivolity and likely caked in sweat, so I’ll need a crisp dip in the local lido, after which I’ll towel off with this charming Tekla towel. I’ll be going to a more formal social event, so I’ll need a few accessories to provide some elegance. Some Paul Smith sunglasses in baby blue will be needed to cover any dark circles, and this watch from Frederique Constant will let me live my Maurice dandy dream. A spritz of Mabelle O’Rama’s warmly spiced Phoenix Flame and I’m ready for it all over again…

Amelia McGarvey:

Three days of 30 degree weather and no discernible commitments mean I am spending my bank holiday blissfully schlepping between the pub, the park and the beach. My flat is very close to a big, flat green space surrounded by Colombian cafes doling out empanadas and iced coffees, and if and when I tire of that I shall take the National Express to some Kentish coast and have a fish and chips. I am not sure what happened but in the past year or so I have been absolutely addicted to lying in the sun and will do anything to, in my mum’s words, get a bit of colour.

Being thoroughly British in my complexion, however, this requires a lot of determination, an arsenal of SPFs and a wardrobe appropriate for all occasions. Everything beyond the bikini must be liable to removal. So, loose dresses, simple shoes and a very light jumper just in case. Makeup is optional, but copious amounts of suncream and lipbalm are not. For the morning after, a litre of coconut water and a toolbox of lymphatic drainage implements will allow me to do it all again that day.