Essential Styles For The Summer

Like a proverbial Prince Charming riding in on a white stallion to rescue the princess from her seemingly eternal slumber, the warm weather has finally arrived to pull us away from our dreaded lockdown slumps and into a summer that promises uninterrupted joy and laughter for all.

 

We’re gearing up for a summer of fun in the sun and we know no better place to start than with our wardrobes. If a holiday break is your top priority, maybe you’re contemplating jumping on the first flight available to some exotic destination. Perhaps you’re taking a more cautious approach, opting for a sunny staycation instead. Or maybe you’ve just booked the diary out with a rotation of BBQs, al fresco dinners and trips to the beach. No matter how you choose to spend the summer, it’s the perfect time to start prepping your wardrobe with pieces to suit the occasion.

 

To get you on your way, we’ve put together an edit of essential summer styles, discussing where to go and how to style your shirts, shorts and sandals if you really want to get the most out of them this season.

 

Summer Shirts

Nothing screams ‘summer vibes’ more than a light, easy flowing summer shirt. The right one can lend an unparalleled sense of freedom to the wearer that can prove crucial in the unforgiving heat. You might decide to loosen a few extra buttons and let the breeze stroke your chest, or maybe even go totally unfastened and completely embrace the elements in all their glory. We’re favouring loose and light shirting this season while leaning towards floral and bold graphic designs to inspire the good-time vibes that the summer promises to deliver. Look to the likes of Palm Angels’ Paradise Print Bowling Shirt and Saint Laurent’s Dotted Leaf Print Short Sleeve Shirt for examples of the aesthetic we’re going for.

 

 

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Summer T-Shirts
            

Typically speaking, t-shirts offer the best opportunity for us to express ourselves and our personalities. A lot can be said about who we are and what we’re feeling, whether it be via imagery, colour or even a simple line of text. This summer, we want to use the opportunity to convey sentiments of jubilance and euphoria in an embracing of our long-awaited freedom from lockdown and restrictions. Our advice here is not too dissimilar to what we’ve said about selecting the perfect summer shirt: don’t be afraid to experiment with bold and vivid colour palettes (Valentino Flying Flowers Print T-Shirt) and nature-inspired floral graphics (Off-White Check Flowers Print Oversized T-Shirt) for a carefree bohemian vibe that helps to reestablish your connection with the great outdoors. Keep it loose and relaxed too if you’re going all day and want to stay comfortable and free of irritation.

 

 

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Summer Shorts

We’re pretty much allowing free reign when it comes to this particular seasonal staple. It really should go without saying, but simply having a strong rotation of shorts in your summer wardrobe is essentially enough to get you the thumbs up from our style team. Once again, our advice is to really consider how much freedom of movement and air circulation your shorts allow, pushing the likes of Givenchy’s Black 4G Logo Jacquard Nylon Shorts and Palm Angels’ Black Track Shorts with Exodus Stripes closer to the tops our ‘want’ lists for the summer. That being said, however, your choice of shorts can certainly dictate the flavour of your overall outfit. Valentino’s Dark Grey Bermuda Shorts with Side Stripes, for instance, might be more suited to al fresco evening dinners, pairing nicely with a crisp white shirt and leather sandals for a sharp but easy smart-casual style.

 

 

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Summer Swimwear

The international travel situation is still a little touch and go, so hopefully we’re not jumping the gun with this one. But honestly, we see little to no reason to delay in picking out some swimwear for your summer rotation, even if just to prepare for greener pastures (which really shouldn’t be too far away now!). Furthermore, staycations are quickly becoming the new vacations, with UK beach destinations like Cornwall and Devon providing more than enough opportunity for you to show off your fancy new swimmers. Throw in some subtle colour into your swimwear ensemble with Saint Laurent’s Tie-Dye Swim Shorts or go in all logos blazing with Givenchy Black All-Over Refracted Logo Swim Shorts. Don’t relegate swimwear shopping to a mere afterthought this season; the chance to give them their time in the sun might just come sooner than you previously thought…

 

 

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Summer Hats

Accessorising for the summer months can sometimes be tricky, considering the risk of potentially weighing yourself down with superfluous outfit add-ons and generating more unwanted heat. On that basis, it’s important to seek out summer hats that prioritise lightweight fabrics and breathable build qualities to ensure that not only are you getting protection from the sun’s rays, but also giving your rising body heat a means of escape through your head and headwear. Styles like Amiri’s Black 3 Star Trucker Hat are exactly what the doctor ordered in that regard, allowing for optimal air circulation with its breathable mesh rear panel. Valentino Garavani’s Black VLTN Times Print Bucket Hat is also on our radar this summer, bringing the indelible savoir-faire of the legendary Maison to a classic summer accessory.

 

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Summer Sandals

No matter what your particular style is, you simply must find a way to go open-toed this summer. There really is nothing worse than being out all day in the baking sun and feeling your feet melt in the airless vacuum of your shoes. This summer is set to be a scorcher, so we’re imploring you to let your feet breathe. Effortless slides like Y-3’s Black & Red Neoprene Slide Sandals and Off-White’s Black & Blue Industrial Belt Slide Sandals are perfect for leisurely strolls along a sandy bank, or casual hangs in your local park. But if you’re looking for something slightly more sophisticated, perhaps for an after-hours dinner date against the backdrop of the setting sun, you might be more inclined to go for Saint Laurent’s Neil Black Braided Leather Sandals or Valentino Garavani’s Black Rockstud Roman Sandals, both of which feature premium leather bodies and meticulous detailing befitting of their prestigious status as leading luxury brands. We really have got a slide or sandal for every occasion this summer.

 

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SHOP THE SUMMER STYLES EDIT

Posted on June 14 2021

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