'As a shopping expert, there are 9 elevated summer staples I live in on hot days.'

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A summer wardrobe can sometimes be tricky to style: after all, it's not about layering coats, knits and scarves, but more about individual items that can pack a punch on their own.

Watch: The Aussie brand Leigh Campbell is obsessed with. Post continues after video.

Summer clothes don't have much to them, so they need to make a statement.

Look for updated modern shapes and new ways of styling. Invest in a few standout pieces that will instantly add an injection of cool to your current wardrobe.

These are the elevated, chic staples you can wear all summer, why you want them and how to wear them.

How to build your summer wardrobe: the must-haves.

The updated T-shirt.

I LIVE in white T-shirts in summer. A shoulder pad tee, a white tank — you name it, it's what I reach for all the time.

Why? Because white next to the face takes 10 years off, according to science!

Remember, no one can wear a boring, tight white T-shirt and look good (except the mutations of the species — models).

A white tee needs a little something to take it to the next level: a twisted neck, an asymmetrical cut, or a dramatic shoulder.

I am loving a white tee designed to wear off one shoulder. It looks new but still casual.

For example, this white shoulder pad tee. Image: Instagram @shopwithfifi.

How to wear it: You should look for a tee that makes a statement on its own. This is not an unassuming layering piece hidden under a jacket. Wear it with all your favourite jeans and skirts. Tuck it in or try a half-tuck. My clever tip is to insert shoulder pads into any white tee in your wardrobe for instant cool.

A shorter jacket.

It's not a long blazer. It's your alternative.

Good in summer as it's more casual. Unstructured but still polished. And handy because you can toss it on casually, almost like a cardigan.

Go for a cropped jacket that has pockets and looks a bit utility. It might have big shoulders. It might be in cotton. It might be twill. It could even be in suede for chilly summer days. It might be in khaki with a military vibe.

I would avoid those collarless round neck 'Chanel-style' jackets with gold buttons, as they can look a bit frumpy (unless it's actually Chanel, of course!)

A cropped trench and wide-leg jeans could work too! Image: Instagram @shopwithfifi.

How to wear it: A cropped jacket will sit so well with your high waist pants and full skirts, meeting them in the middle (at your waist, this is good). Layer over a white tee or tank and if it's looking "too done", dress it down with flats and jeans.

White denim Bermuda shorts.

When you want to wear jeans but it's just too hot, white denim shorts will come to your rescue.

You can scissor off your old white jeans and wear them as shorts.

Otherwise, look for a pair that are neat across the hips, knee length with a leg that's not too wide but still roomy. Go up a size bigger. Loose looks cool.

Bermuda shorts for summer look great whether you're in the city or at the beach. White is a chic option when blue denim can look too casual.

You'll be loving Bermudas this season. Image: Instagram @shopwithfifi.

How to wear them: For the city, try white denim shorts with a cropped, tailored jacket or shoulder pad tee. Just add heels and strappy sandals. For weekend casual, go for shorts with a white tank and white slides (all white for summer? Groundbreaking!).

A white shirt.

The white shirt was all over the runways at fashion month in September. Meaning? It will be a pivotal item in your wardrobe.

Funnily enough I've never been a huge fan of white cotton shirts because they can look quite disheveled (especially when I wear them, haha). Anyone else hate ironing?

The trick is to invest in a white shirt in a soft, easy-to-wash fabric. Please note: This is not a tight white shirt from the olden days (!) but something modern.

Go for an exaggerated shape: the sleeves might be big, the cuffs major, the shape interesting, the cut dramatic. A collarless white shirt is my favourite (collars can be annoying under a jacket!).

White on white always works. Image: Instagram/@stylewithfifi.

How to wear it: An oversized white shirt looks cool hanging out over capri pants. Or try a white shirt tucked into low-rise baggy jeans or slouchy denim shorts.

It's also a match made in heaven with wide-leg camel pants. Hint: Undo the cuffs and push up the sleeves to give it a nonchalant summer vibe.

A pop of orange.

Yes, orange is the new black. My list of elevated basics for summer must include a little bit of orange: it's a big trend you're about to a lot more of.

I love it, but my advice is to use colour as an accent. I'm not saying build a wardrobe full of bright colours — noooo! But a little touch is great; feels new. It might be a simple orange tank or tee, or a knit over your shoulders.

A pop of orange will elevate your look this season. Image: Instagram @shopwithfifi.

How to wear it: The trick with a bright colour is to wear it with white, camel or beige (avoid black: too hard and too wintery).

I'll be throwing an orange tee on with a camel skirt or brown slouchy pants.

Try an orange tank with white baggy jeans. Even an orange tee LAYERED over a white tee (this looks very farhsun.) An orange dress is great for any party.

Otherwise, stick to accessories like orange sandals or a clutch bag.

A denim shirt.

Yes, they have been around a few seasons now but still feel sooo right. You want a denim shirt which is loose and relaxed, but not so big you can't tuck it in. A denim shirt with big poet sleeves or with a pussy bow that ties at the neck? Fabulous! It adds a little fashion edge.

Double denim! Image: Instagram @shopwithfifi.

How to wear it: Double the denim, of course! Wear a denim shirt with baggy jeans but also with white shorts, camel chinos, or even black leather shorts. Add white shoes and you've nailed it.

Don't worry about matching the denim in the shirt to the denim of the jeans — but light blue denim mixed back with very dark denim is tricky to carry off. Hint: you will wear a denim shirt next winter under a camel trench for sure.

A white midi skirt.

This summer you definitely need a white full skirt, and you want it in a longer midi length. It might have an elastic waist. It might have a drop-waist or a flat front. Easy. Comfortable. Looks good on everyone. A great alternative to a dress and an instant wardrobe updater.

The skirt you never knew you needed. Image: Instagram/@stylewithfifi.

How to wear it: With a white tank, a black tank, a denim shirt or at night with a sequin top.

Don't stress about all the volume in the skirt: go a size or two bigger so it sits lower and doesn't cut in. Wear it with flats or with strappy low kitten heels. Really high heels? Nope. Keep it on the lowdown as that's the vibe of the skirt.

Camel cotton chinos.

I am a huge believer in the power of camel cotton chinos. Not jeans, but just as casual. Not black pants, but just as versatile.

You want side pockets. A wide leg. Maybe a cuff, or even an elastic back.

A chino should really be in beige or neutral cotton; it's the casualness of the fabric that's important.

Looks very chic. Image: Instagram @shopwithfifi.

How to wear it: For going out, it's so chic with kitten heel mules and a one shoulder top, paired with a blazer.

For smart casual, the winning combination is a sequin top with chinos. It's high/low dressing at its best.

And these pants are just perfect for summer casual days with white sandals and a white tank. (Keep it simple people: it doesn't have to complicated!)

When it's chilly on a summer holiday, pull on a cream sweater: done.

A maxi dress.

Sooo many dresses, so little time! It's hard to choose a single standout dress. My advice? When shopping for a dress think about WHERE you are actually going to wear it. Sounds obvious, right? But don't be tempted to buy things that don't suit you or your lifestyle, especially things you will wear only once.

If I had to choose one dress for summer, it would be a chocolate brown maxi dress, ideally with one shoulder and loose.

Or try a fit and flare style. I love the idea of a mix of fabrics in a dress, like a ribbed top with a full cotton skirt.

A white dress is perfect for beach holidays, while a black dress looks fresh in summer when you have lots of skin to lighten it up.

My ultimate summer maxi. Image: Instagram/@shopwithfifi.

How to wear it: Maxi dresses look best with flat shoes or slides, and even with chunky dad sandals. It's modern and laidback. If you're chilly on a summer's night, throw on a white denim jacket: it will work over any dress. Heading out to dinner in the city? A white blazer sitting on your shoulders is the way to go.

Accessories.

A white bag is what you need for summer. It cleverly injects a little oomph into any outfit. Love a chic white structured tote or mini white bucket bag.

Never going to invest in a white bag? Grab a tan or brown bag, it will work with everything you own. That's a promise.

Shoes.

Do you own a pair of heeled thongs? I have been living in them this season in both back and chocolate brown suede. Such a great shoe for summer in the city — casual but a little dressy too.

You still get the height with a kitten heel and they add a touch of sophistication. Of course red is on the radar and what's not to love about red strappy heels? Otherwise, inject a little colour with red flat sandals, thongs or even sneakers.

Personally I default to white flats every time, they go with EVERY single thing.

Big sunglasses.

Big, bold and dramatic. It's the way to instantly update any outfit.

Go for tortoiseshell or a brown lens because they will work with all your neutrals, pop with white and look great with orange.

My advice? A pair of designer sunglasses are miracle workers! YES to anything that you can just throw on, walk out the door and look fabulous.

For more helpful style advice and shopping recommendations, subscribe to the weekly Nothing to Wear Substack, listen to the Nothing to Wear podcast or watch Nothing to Wear on YouTube.

Check out more fashion advice from Fifi Milne:

• 'I'm a style expert. Trust me, these 9 outdated fashion myths are sabotaging your style.'

• The single piece that will inject some cool and edge into your summer wardrobe.

Feature image: Instagram/@shopwithfifi.