Summer has finally returned. The now traditional moaning about heat waves has replaced the complaints of rain. Long evenings crammed into the pub for warmth have given way to, well, long evenings crammed outside the pub.
Thoughts inevitably turn to holidays. As much time as possible should be spent enjoying our fleeting union with the sun, be that on a foreign beach or in a local park. But the heat brings its own stylistic challenge. Dressing for the winter is easy: just keep adding layers. In the summer, there’s only so much we can take off.
It can be tempting to simply give up on style in favour of comfort. Old football shorts and a pair of sliders will do, right? Technically, yes, but there’s no need to go that far. There are plenty of ways to refine that look and maintain your aesthetic standards while adapting to the heat.
The key to any holiday or resort wear look is breathability. We want to let as much heat out as possible. What we do put on must be light enough to allow our skin to breathe and in a weave or fabric which will let the heat dissipate as much as possible. It would be easy, and perfectly acceptable, to reach for your standard linen shirt but a short-sleeve in crocheted cotton is even better. The exaggerated space of the waffle knit is both practical and stylistic: the gaps allow all the warmth of your body to escape freely but also add a more interesting texture to the look.
Warm weather specialist Frescobol Carioca offers its Pinto version in a range of colours (£395, frescobolcarioca.com); consider something bright and bold to emulate the sunshine and your surroundings, even if your usual instinct is to go more reserved. Summer is for colour.
A similar concept can be applied to those shorts. This time of year should be embraced as an opportunity to bring more joy and brightness and whimsy to your wardrobe, however you dress for the rest of the year. There is also a strong possibility you’ll end up cooling off in some water at some point in the day, so it’s best to be prepared. Choose shorts which don’t necessarily look like they’re for swimming but are; well-cut but quick-drying, and with plenty of character. Orlebar Brown has become legendary for its tailored trunks – the side adjusters will ensure refinement – and this year has released some magnificent Paisley patterns (£295, orlebarbrown.com) to give even more opportunity for expression.
For a more relaxed take, Vilebrequin’s collaboration with Parisian house 3.Paradis (£265, vilebrequin.com) uses the latter’s dove motif to add a playful element to your beach fit. Dress it up with the matching linen bowling shirt (£250, vilebrequin.com) if you’re confident enough for patterned sets.
Probably the most difficult area in which to strike the breathability-to-style balance is in your footwear. Sliders will indeed keep your toes cool, but they’ll also look like you forgot to change when you left the pool. Happily, there are solutions here as well. Woven leather mules or loafers have generous gaps to let the air circulate freely but retain the refined appearance which make the style so popular year-round. JW Anderson has created a pair for this summer in a sage green which satisfies our need for colour (£605, jwanderson.com); Jacques Soloviere offers a more reserved version in a classic cream (£305, jacquessoloviereparis.com).
Alternatively, a shorter vamp – exposing more of the instep and so letting the majority of the heat release – will do a similar job. Crockett & Jones has created their new Sorrento model (£525, crockettandjones.com) in pastel hues of suede with exactly that in mind.
As with so any other outfit, the finishing touches to your resort look are key. Consider topping yours off with a cap – Orlebar Brown does a chic linen version (£125) – as it’ll keep the sun off your head but also bring a bit more character to your look. The most important accessories are your shades. Sunglasses are the ultimate mix of practicality and attitude, and give arguably the best opportunity for personalisation of an outfit which doesn’t contain that many pieces.
Pay attention to the shape of your face, and the size of the frames: if you want to go big, make sure you go all the way big so it looks cool and oversized rather than just drowning your features. If you prefer something a little more low profile, consider slim titanium frames or even no frame at all. Thom Browne (£320, thombrowne.com) frames in silver will provide the discretion; Moscot’s Dolt (£345, moscot.com or in its Soho flagship) are thick and flamboyant. Whichever you choose, consider the colour of the frames and lenses to complement the rest of your wardrobe. The right pair won’t look like you thought about it, but the wrong pair will make it clear you did not.
As with any outfit, it’s not complete without the right timepiece. For this summer, nothing is more bang on trend than Hublot’s latest addition to its iconic Big Bang collection. First, it’s crafted from the material du jour, ceramic – so no fears about scraping it on the sand. And second, it’s made in mint green – the king of all ice-cream flavours (£12,200, hublot.com). If the 33mm model featured is too dainty for your wrists, there is a 42mm chrono, too.
For sport, forget padel – nothing beats beach bat and ball. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to let standards slip; few are more stylish than these paddles from Acqua di Parma. The Italian fragrance house’s summer collection also welcomes a limited-edition collaboration with designer Laura Gonzalez, while this handy Retino fragrance holder, woven in openwork leather, keeps your fragrance close and protected from knocks (£150, acquadiparma.com.)
And when it comes to the end of the day, you’ll want the right loungewear, too. It’s difficult to beat Bedfolk in this department. Its softly washed 100% linen shirt (£85, bedfolk.com) brings effortless comfort to warmer days. Relaxed, breathable and beautifully soft, it’s designed for slow mornings, easy afternoons and everything in between. Wear it with Bedfolk’s Linen Trousers to lounge, or style with denim for an understated summer look.
Just a little consideration will ensure you look – and feel – just as good in the heat as you do the rest of the time. Then you’re free to concentrate on the most important task of the summer: absolutely, gloriously, nothing at all. You’ve earned it.
