Ah, the woozy euphoria triggered by the Automatic Replies “on” flick. Off comes the sticky work wardrobe, and into the suitcase goes all things soft, bright and bold for any Fuerteventura fun.
Here’s what to wear when the time comes to Ready, set, OOO.
The beach to bed pyjama co-ord
Cotton printed co-ords are the kings of chameleon summer wear: they can take men and women from beach to bar and bed. You’ll find high street gems — Zara, Mango, & Other Stories — or independent labels doing them with a twist. SMR Days employ artisans in India to craft butter-soft offerings. “What’s more simple than opening your closet and throwing on a matching shirt and trousers, knowing you’re going to look great?” says co-founder Adam Shapiro. “The tie-dyes are our best-sellers — they are light, breathable, supremely comfortable.”
SMR Days, smrdays.com
Sheer ballet pumps
The onset of “balletcore” during the spring/summer 2023 fashion shows prompted sighs of trend fatigue — but persevere it does. Its latest iteration? See-through ballet flats. London’s Dear Frances does them best. “Mesh options offer a unique and sophisticated update to the ballerina trend,” says founder Jane Frances. “The mesh is soft and supple so it moulds perfectly over the foot — they feel incredibly light, like clouds for your feet.” Also catering to naked-shoe cravings are Sandy Liang, for classics, and Christopher Esber, who does a dazzling crystal pair.
Dear Frances, dearfrances.com
Crochet everything
Don’t stop at a crochet top — this year, the high street has upped its offering: bikinis, bags, bucket hats, you name it. First stop, Massimo Dutti, then Maje, Sandro and, for men, Oliver Cheshire’s new Ché collection for Reiss. For something unique, head to Sagaboi, a Caribbean rooted London-based label by Geoff Cooper, whose first catwalk this June had bright crochet vests and slacks. “I grew up with crochet; my mum, grandmother, and aunties were master knitters,” he says. “All the runway crochet was handmade in the Caribbean, and speaks to a certain nostalgia and excellence of knitting savoir-faire that has existed there from time immemorial.”
Massimo Dutti, massimodutti.com
The Ganni collab sunglasses
Anyone who has traversed Soho recently will have seen the posters and know: the glasses you need this summer come from scandi brands Ganni and Ace & Tate, who produced a 10-piece capsule collection together. “It has been very well received by the public,” says Ace & Tate founder Mark de Lange. Ganni had been at the top of his partnering list for some time. “Both brands are certified B-Corps, and committed to delivering inspiring designs in the most responsible way possible.” There are pops of pink and green for the more daring, and tortoiseshell acetate styles for quieter dressers.
Ace & Tate x Ganni, aceandtate.com
Boys, grab your kaftans
No longer the sole remit of Saint Tropez-hopping middle aged women, more men are discovering the breezy wonder of the kaftan. Of course, those in Marrakech know their benefits, making Marrakshi Life, who make them in colourful cottons, your one-stop shop. Find them stocked at Matches Fashion, where Damien Paul, head of menswear, champions their “comfort, simplicity and dressed down bohemian appeal.”
Marrakshi Life, matchesfashion.com
A… parasol?
At Jacquemus’ catwalk this week, David Beckham, Monica Bellucci and Emily Ratajkowski sat in rowing boats on the Palace of Versailles’ lake. What did all three have in common? The cream parasols in their hands, looking every inch a Georges Seurat painting. “I’m a convert. They’re just so chic — it’s an inexpensive way to feel luxurious,” says art director Magda Kaczmarska, who was there. “I wouldn’t use any old umbrella — go for something light (white, beige — any pastel colours) to make it feel more summery and sunny.”
Stacks of gold
When it comes to jewellery, the rule is simple: heaps of gold on sun kissed skin. The newly launched London brand offering this is Ferrat, where real gold plated pieces are under £100. “Ferrat was born from seeing glamorous friends decked out in jewellery that is not worthy of wearing — mass produced, low quality, and a ridiculously high mark-up,” sayfounder Ollie Besse. Like on Blumarine catwalks, designs come in chunky hearts and seashells. “Summer and chunky statement gold go hand-in-hand. Great with a summer evening dress or with nothing on at all,” he says.
Ferrat, ferrat.co.uk
The towelling two-piece
Wear your towel this summer. The Wales Bonner x Adidas, brown footie-inspired set has been a massive hit with Harry Styles and Josh O’Connor, while the standout looks at Versace’s Dua Lipa collaborative catwalk were pink and blue towelling minis and bikinis, which came complete with matching hand towels on heads. British resort wear brand Orlebar Brown makes them best for the boys, and worked with Kate Moss’s BFF Jordan Barrett for a special green set. “I started with a mood board that I brought to the OB design team with my favourite colours including a gorgeous green towelling,” says Barrett. “I travel and spend my day in different places; I need multifunctional outfits.”
Orlebar Brown, orlebarbrown.com
Washboard abs are an annoying essential for this, but at Europe’s fashion shows this June it was impossible to avoid: boys on the front row kept their suits but ditched the shirts. Singer Troye Sivan opted for pale blue tailoring and exposed torso at the Versace catwalk, while model Lucas White-Smith opted for all-black at Prada. “I got sent the look as the first option for the show and my reaction, without hesitation, was ‘let’s do it’,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to do a topless look. I think it was a hit.”
Antiquity prints
All things ancient Roman are the go-to print for 2023. They are the USP of interiors master Gergei Erdei, and he has paired up with French brand Drôle de Monsieur to transfer hisprints to silk garments and streetwear. “The designs have grown from the juxtaposition of Roman and Pompeiian elements and the mood of Palm Beach Eighties golf resorts,” he says. “Antique Roman mosaics are timeless — they are never too much.”
