Here we are, then, a year on from the UK’s joint-hottest summer on record.
As the mercury creeps ever higher, the question on everyone’s lips is this: are we in for the same again? Sure, you could argue that last year’s temperatures were a one-off, but you’d be denying the facts of global warming. Perhaps it’s time that we faced up to the inconvenient truth that summers are just going to be hotter from now on.
If this is indeed the new normal, then we Brits will finally have the chance to get to grips with something that’s eluded us for decades: warm-weather style.
Unlike our continental cousins on the French and Italian Riviera, who long ago mastered the art of summer chic, we don’t tend to be at our best in the heat. Blame it on the fact that, historically, ‘summer’ in Britain has lasted an average of about 48 hours. As with most things, it’s a question of practice – and we haven’t had enough of it.
After spending winter swaddled in layers of navy and grey, summer’s time for us to indulge in colour
That all looks set to change as we adjust to the realities of living in our newly subtropical climate. But what about right now? With the (potentially very hot) summer of 2019 just around the corner, allow us to recommend a few tactical purchases.
First, a pair of cargo shorts. After years in fashion purgatory, they’re on the comeback trail thanks to brands such as Eye/Loewe/Nature, responsible for the pair pictured.
Next, liven things up with a dose of print. After spending winter swaddled in layers of navy and grey, summer’s time for us to indulge in colour – and have a little fun with it, too. Peer closely at the arrows on the back of this long-sleeved tee from Off-White and you’ll spot Claude Monet as painted by his friend and fellow impressionist, Edouard Manet.
Right. Now we’ve said all of that, watch as it rains for the next three months.
Off-White logo-print cotton-jersey T-shirt, £240; Eye/Loewe/Nature wide-leg cotton-canvas cargo shorts, £395. Both from mrporter.com
