WHEN the summer heats up, wear light-coloured clothing (like whites) in lightweight fabrics such as cotton and linen to survive the sweltering heat. It's common knowledge that this shade and these fabrics in loosefitting clothing can keep you cool and are perfect for all ages. This week, we feature some styles for kids, and though you may be thinking, "Kids in white?" it actually makes sense because whites actually launder well with bleach and cake soap and just don't fade like colours do, so they look fresh and new for longer.

The styles of course are endless, but this week we feature just a few:

Look 1 is a simple Aline silhouette; however, we've mixed a plain linen with an embroidered one. The plain linen makes up the body of the dress and the embroidered one accents the neckline and hemline. A simple A-line dress pattern will work for this:

• cut front and back of dress

• cut 3-inch band to accent neckline

• cut 4-inch band for hemline

• attach band to hemline and join front to back

• attach neckline and finish sleeves

Look 2 is a linen jumpsuit made from a pattern. This pattern can be used over and over as you can alter the length of the jumpsuit, the neckline, the waist height, etc. To embellish the simple white, we added a fabric and beaded rosette.

Look 3 is also a simple A-line, embellished with 2 jumbo flowers, gathered and stitched from the same fabric.

Look 4 shows playful separates. A double-frilled spaghetti strap blouse, with the same beaded fabric rosette attached, is worn with simple cotton leggings.

To accent the look, we made a bandeau by covering it in the white fabric and attached one of the fabric rosettes to it.

Keep cool and enjoy the rest of your summer...

Photos: Marc Evans | MAKE-UP: Angelie Martin-Spencer