What should we buy this month? Thanks to the weather and the bonkers way Planet Fashion organises its seasons,  August (not April, TS Eliot) really could be described as the cruellest month.

Just when many of us are going on holiday, or are bored with what we’ve worn since spring, the rails and websites are filling up with autumn.

And those few weeks of heat followed by several months of mainly cool, cloudy weather — and frequent showers − makes white linen and strappy pastel broderie completely impractical.

Spain’s fashion supernova Zara has a clever new category on its UK website this month aimed at fixing this cruel mis-match. Called “British Summer,” it offers layers in the form of slouchy, lightweight knits in grungy tones, oversized blazers and pale bomber jackets to throw over strappy tops and dresses.

Other pieces to buy now that can work, worn alone, on sunshine holidays and then do double duty in a typically British summer weather — with a tee or cami under, or a cardi, bomber, biker or blazer on top — include a black smocked cotton midi by La Ligne (at Matches; a high-neck black broderie midi dress at Cos (£89); LK Bennett’s navy strappy midi, (£99) and Monsoon’s half-sleeve paisley scarf-print cotton midi, £56.

Even though the sales are officially over, there are still some summer pieces at reduced price — including many items in a full range of sizes — via the “sale” button seen on many fashion sites. That’s this month’s good news.

Eight recommendations from Jan, the JC's fashion guru:

1. British summer slouchy knit, £25.99, Zara

British summer slouchy knit

British summer slouchy knit (Photo: Zara)

2. Tailored cotton dress, £429, LK Bennett

Tailored cotton dress, L K Bennett, £429 V-2 CUT-OUT

Tailored cotton dress (Photo: LK Bennett)

3. Plisse slip dress, £133, Essential Antwerp

Plisse midi slip dress, Essentiel Antwerp, £133 V-1 MODEL

Plisse slip dress (Photo: Essential Antwerp)

4. Spaghetti-strap textured cotton midi, £135, Cos

5. Ruffled, tie-back maxi, £126, Boden

Ruffled, tie-back maxi dress, £126 Boden V-1 MODEL

Ruffled, tie-back maxi dress (Photo: Boden)

6. Flared cotton dress, £19, M&S

7. Paisley, scarf-print midi, £56, Monsoon

8. HPleated column maxi, £89, Cos

Pleated maxi dress, Cos, £89 v-2 CUT-OUT

Pleated maxi dress (Photo: Cos)