They bridge the gap between bare shoulders and too-cosy coats, and there’s a style to suit every taste. Lisa Haynes roams the robe racks

FOR days when it’s too hot for coats and too cool for bare arms, reach for a kimono. These cover-up marvels are the perfect antidote for those inbetweeny summer days. The versatility of kimonos makes them this season’s most sought-after piece for a relaxed silhouette.

Wear them on the beach thrown over a swimsuit (goodbye kaftan), or even in the office to pare down tailoring.

From waist to ankle length, prints to block colour and plain to embellished, there’s a kimono to coordinate with every wardrobe. We’ve picked some of the high street’s hottest to suit your individual style.

Bohemian Embrace your inner hippy with fringing that swings as you walk. Miss Selfridge’s orange fringed kimono will brighten up plain bikinis on the beach or strapless dresses for sundowner cocktails, £65 (missselfridge.com).

Contemporary Who needs buttons anyway? Stay smart during the 9-5 shifts with sharper kimono cuts in graphic prints, like Twiggy for M&S Collection’s metallic effect kimono wrap, £69 (marksandspencer.com).

Prairie Get a vacation vibe with Aztec-inspired embroidery. Layer M&Co’s lightweight embroidered kimono over a tee and shorts in high summer and blue jeans once temperatures start to cool, £20 (mandco.

com).

Feminine If you don’t want a straight silhouette, add interest with a waterfall design where the back drapes longer than the front. Next’s kimono comes in a soft, watercolour floral print, £28 (next.

co.uk).

Minimalist Kimonos don’t have to be all busy prints and bright colours. Adopt a stricter styling approach with Topshop’s longline duster kimono in stark black, £45 (topshop.com).

Oriental Take your kimono back to its Japanese roots with an Oriental print. East’s Nobu combo kimono has traditional wide sleeves and belt, so you can keep the silhouette loose or cinched at the waist, £25 (east.

co.uk).

Statement The longer your kimono, the bigger the impact. Take the traditional hemline down to the floor with Asos’ premium print kimono duster, which will graze ankles for the ultimate cover-up, £55 (asos.com).

Glam For a kimono you can shrug on for Indian summer or even Christmas season, look for a heavier fabric in a darker palette. The embellishment on White Stuff ’s north wind kimono jacket will see you right through to party season, £65, available August (whitestuff.com).

Quirky Keep the rest of your outfit low-key and create a print clash via your kimono.

Fearne Cotton for Very’s printed kimono combines floral print with harlequin check trims, £29.64 (very.co.uk).

Tropical Extend your holiday feeling with a subtle tropical print that works on or off the beach. Therapy at House of Fraser’s palm print kimono has bold black borders to restrain the print, £35 (houseoffraser.co.uk).