Summer has ended and the very hot days will soon be gone. This means we’ll opt for some warmer pieces and put away some of our sizzling summer garb. As we bid farewell to summer, why not pull on one of your faves one last time?

We feature one-piece shorts sets today, which can be styled to be light and fun, but dressed up as well for a more chic look.

Look 1 is a trendy dual-print set, which may be worn with minimal accessories.

The second look is a cool daytime look featuring bright colours; a good choice for lunch and hanging out with friends.

And for the evening out, we give the third look in black, which despite a casual style, may be accessorised for the occasion.

Using this option, we give you the following tips when shopping:

* Choose items that offer versatility, so that you can style it in different ways for more wears.

* Avoid items that are too trendy and whose trend may be short-lived; paying attention to the spend-per-wear.

* Go for separates. This gives your wardrobe more options, and with rules of matching out the door, even more flexibility in pairing with other items.

* Accessorise! Sometimes basic garments and great accessories are über-stylish!

Make your wardrobe stretch and you can stretch your budget, too.

Steps (for wide neckline requiring no opening, like look 2, or a boatneck option of look 1)

1. Cut front and back of:

a. Bodice (blouse part) and facing (to line the neckline and armhole).

b. Front and back of the shorts

c. Elastic for waist

2. Join

a. Front facing to front blouse at neckline and armhole and topstitch.

b. back facing to back blouse at neckline and armhole and topstitch.

c. front to back at the shoulders and sides.

3. Join

a. Centre front of the shorts

b. Centre back of the shorts

c. Front to back at crotch and sides.

4. Gather waist of the shorts and hemline of the blouse to the length of the elastic, join blouse to shorts with a temporary stitch, then attach elastic at this joined waist.

5. Finish seam edges.

6. Hem.

NOTE:

For a narrow neckline, an opening will be required, which must be no less than the hip measurement. A couple of options are (i) zipper at the back or side, or (ii) small buttons down the front.