LOOK away now if you haven’t yet familiarised yourself with your spring wardrobe – because the high street has already moved swiftly on to “high summer”.

Thank goodness then for Gok Wan. The super-stylist’s latest summer range for TU at Sainsbury’s tears up the fashion rule book to offer a collection of chic tailoring in a monochromatic palette punctuated with splashes of tomato red.

‘‘Many women out there think that summer wardrobes are a dangerous place,’’ Gok explains. ‘‘More flesh is on show and there are bright colours and prints all over the place. ‘A winter wardrobe is seen as safe and comfortable with lots of black and dark colours, but really we should forget the seasonal rules and wear what we want, when we want.’’ Navigate the new season with Gok’s sunny sense of style.

Banish Boho chic

EVEN Sienna Miller has turned her back on boho, but the steadfast summer trend tends to reappear around festival and holiday season. ‘‘There is a tendency to just turn yourself into a hippy for summer,’’ says Gok. ‘‘When I was designing this collection, I thought wouldn’t it be a perfect world if you could still dress up for summer but feel cool in what you’re wearing, with fabrics that aren’t going to crease or make you overheat.’’

Loose layering

NOT convinced by this season’s crop tops and micro shorts? The easy way is to expose skin gradually and keep up with the everchanging forecast.

“Layer light to dark so it looks more tonal – you don’t want to have the dark layers against your body as it becomes instantly wintry,’’ says Gok.

Remember that your base layer, say, a dress, should be able to work as an outfit by itself. A light cardigan or open sheer shirt should work over most summer looks.

‘‘Stick to lighter, floatier materials, so if you’re going to wear a knit, make it a fine one.’’

Print works

PLAYFUL prints really come into their own in high summer but don’t be forced to try a pattern that isn’t for you.

Follow Gok’s simple rule: ‘‘If you would put it on the wall of your house, then buy it. If you just like the dress but not the print, it’s unlikely you’ll wear it. The bigger the print, the smaller it will make you look, so if you are a curvy girl and you are wearing a ditsy print it will make you look bigger. A light base and darker print gives the illusion of print on flesh, which is naturally more slimming.

If you’ve got a darker base and a bright or light print, it can make you look more rounded.’’

Colour bravery

Don’t turn your back on black just because the barometer is finally rising. ‘‘Black can look good at any time, but women often use it to feel comfortable when really it should be used to feel smart and sophisticated,’’ says Gok.

‘‘Just ensure you don’t wear dark colours throughout the entire summer. There is a happy medium between all-black and looking like a bag of Skittles. Pop some colour into your look – it’s summer after all,’’ Gok advises. ‘‘Summer occasions are often the time when women go OTT with bright colour. Do it slowly, either in a tonal way or with key details or accessories.’’

Gok’s top picks

Spoilt for choice by the Gok for TU Summer collection? He reveals his three key pieces:

  • The white shirt is super-simple and elegant. The ruching detail makes it really flattering.
  • I love the colour block tunic because it can be worn as a shirt or a mini dress. I love the three shots of contrasting colour too.
  • Check out the capri pants for their fit and bum-enhancing qualities. They just scream Sixties to me.
  • Gok for TU Summer collection includes 22 pieces priced from £10 to £40. Available now at more than 200 Sainsbury’s stores nationwide in sizes 8-22 (0800-636-262 sainsburys.co.uk/gok)