Model: Brooke Mather

I love maxi dresses: they're so feminine and demure, and make me feel very ladylike teamed with a pair of sandals or strappy wedges. But one of the great things about playsuits and jumpsuits having come back into our stores and wardrobes is that we can do maxi without the dress.

The beautiful Brooke looks absolutely gorgeous in this Paperscissors full-length onsie that I found at TEMT. It's a light cotton blend so it breathes well in summer heat whilst covering up legs for the sun shy. The print and colour look just beaut. Given the fabric is quite busy, I kept the accessories minimal with earrings from Equip, some thrifted bangles and Valentino Rudy wedges.

Whilst there are some very structured and fitted jumpsuits to be had, they're really more appropriate for an evening out or semi-formal occasion. If you're going to a casual barbeque or picnic, I recommend a more relaxed style, like this. I also suggest considering going up a size for a more drapey effect.

Model: Natasha Bell

If you step back a little over a century the western woman's wardrobe would have included a full-length petticoat and a corset. Granted both functioned as undergarments, uncomfortable ones at that!

These days, you're more likely to find petticoats in costume shops and corsets in naughty Halloween costume sets or lingerie. I have a reasonable collection of corset tops and I've been known to wear them with suits in a work context. I also have a few petticoats — the full-length version featured on Natasha and a few shorter ones. I love the shape it can give underneath a dress or skirt, but I also love it worn like this, over the top as a glam, pseudo-gothic, pseudo-steampunk, pseudo-Wild West affair.

For me these items evoke a darker and sensual era, something on the cusp of our modern world, a world prim and proper on the outside but simmering under the surface. I enjoy playing on that sometimes: it's the opposite effect of animal print, caging and binding ourselves in the game of etiquette and manners.

From a practical perspective, having these items means I can easily throw something dressy together without actually having to get an evening dress. If your shape doesn't lend itself to a single garment gown, then combining top and bottom separates with shape and movement can do the trick for a look that's a bit edgy, a little couture.

Model: Caitlin Mather

As a child in the Philippines, I was used to umbrellas on the streets deployed both in sun and rain. It was fairly strange, therefore, to move to New Zealand and only see umbrellas used during inclement weather.

A couple of weeks ago, I was preparing for a photoshoot and was looking at the available items at my local dollar store to help me create a party scene when I noticed a Chinese umbrella on display. Quite taken with it, I asked where the stock was kept and promptly bought one of each available colour; $9.00NZD per umbrella seems entirely reasonable.

I love the concept of the parasol: it's colourful, fun, feminine, and useful. Given how harsh the sun can be and the advice to stay in the shade to reduce the risk of skin cancer, it seems entirely sensible to me take shade with you. Hats may be practical but shade coverage can be limited depending on the type of hat. The other day I took one of my new umbrellas to a sunny afternoon barbeque and happily rotated it with the moving sun to retain a comfortable level of protection.

Given how rare it is to see umbrellas and parasols used in western countries these days, my new affectation seems a bit quirky and eccentric. However, I've decided that it really is functional and am challenging my readers to pick up their parasols this summer.

To give you some inspiration, I used parasols in a recent picnic photoshoot with friends. Caitlin looked just so cute with a pink parasol to go with the cream and floral playsuit she was wearing. So much colour and just a wee bit vintage and romantic. Go on, you know you want to!

Photographer: Ianessa Guerrero

A white maxi dress, skirt, palazzo or wide-legged pants — as shown in the photo — can be given real zing by adding floaty colour on top. In this case, I've used the large graphic Goa scarf from Fara Boutique as a long-line top, cinched at the waist to create shape whilst leaving the bottom free to move.

If you're on a trip away and have taken a scarf or sarong, using this trick can quickly give you an evening dinner out option that's elegant and versatile. I'm wearing this over a white crop top but depending on the density of the fabric you could do away with the extra layer.

This shot is courtesy of Ness Guerrero and it was taken at the Agropolis in Christchurch. It's a wonderful concept and great project to check out if you're in town.