If there’s a season that overrides all others when it comes to ‘feelin’ yourself’, so eloquently put by Beyoncé, summer is really when your style stride picks up the pace. From a logistical perspective there’s less clothes factored in, meaning less opportunity for misses (come Winter the Bear Grylls-esque survival mentality of ‘just let me live!’ in the face of a chill doesn’t do anyone many favours); the extra Vitamin D amps our serotonin; fitness-wise we’re (hopefully) harder, better, faster, stronger – or enjoying a twice-weekly Aperol Spritz session in it’s place. New season is being wheeled out on shop floors as we speak – but before you make the dash, a little mental edit of the power shopper who’s and where’s curbs any potential change room meltdowns. Read on for the ultimate trend whip on summer’s MVP’s.
TEXTURED WHITES
Fashion’s penchant for blanc is still sitting pretty as numero uno colour palette – move it right along from last season by mapping out your textures in place of the breezy silks of summer’s past. Broderie anglaise, lace, appliques and weaving are all bustling to the front of the line to catch your attention – the beauty of which being all require little to no tricky styling finesse or add on’s to catch a glance. A simple neutral heel or sandal is the perfect accoutrement to a touch-worthy fabric.
Country Road fringed mini skirt, $129. Countryroad.com.au
Zimmermann Belle Web Dot dress, $895. Zimmermannwear.com
Zara top, $89.95. Zara.com
H&M short dress, $19.95. hm.com/au
H&M leather sandals, $69.95. hm.com/au
H&M broderie anglaise skirt, $59.95. hm.com/au
Seed frayed trim shorts, $129.95. seedheritage.com
Seed mini ring bag, $69.95. seedheritage.com
Marcs lace spot strappy dress, $379. Marcs.com.au
Isabel Marant Vadim skirt, $570. Net-a-porter.com
3.1 Phillip Lim cropped broderie anglaise top, $380. Net-a-porter.com
GYPSET
Fresh off the plane? No matter if we’re talking Adelaide over The Andes – a little Gypset in the mix adds enough international flavour regardless of your destination. A heady mix of paisleys, tribal prints, embroidery and rich jewel tones spritz a little spice into your summer wardrobe without requiring a trip through a Moroccan souk. Pair it back with icy or whitewashed denim to pull it out of the backpacker zone (we’re only talking trekking if it’s in relation to how many kilometres you’ve clocked around Westfield).
Country Road printed blouse, $99.95. countryroad.com.au
Country Road zig-zag print caftan, $99.95. countryroad.com.au
Zimmermann frayed edge wide-brim hat, $390. Zimmermannwear.com
Zimmermann Henna tunic, $350. Zimmermannwear.com
Witchery woven waisted belt, $39.95. witchery.com.au
Witchery Marial gladiator sandals, $139.95. witchery.com.au
Zara blouse, $119.95. Zara.com
H&M V-Neck Dress, $29.95. hm.com/au
Seed shirred off-the-shoulder dress, $99.95. seedheritage.com
Trenery spliced tribal shorts, $99.95. trenery.com.au
Trenery tribal weave wrap jacket, $199. Trenery.com.au
BOTANICALS
A floral in bloom is always a thing of beauty; as is in fashion, wherein the humble flower spreads like wildfire this time of year. Think small and delicate this season, a la old world botanical illustrations – all the vibrancy without the distraction of a loud and proud tulip bursting off your hip. A multitude of colours allows total creative freedom when it comes time to accessorise, too – pick a tone and colour block or freshen it up with whites.
Zara skirt, $69.95.
H&M cotton blouse, $19.95. hm.com/au
Marcs canvas floral grid print skirt, $159. Marcs.com.au
Karen Millen floral print top, $115. Karenmillen.com.au
Zimmermann Anais floral print shorts, $394. Net-a-porter.com
Topshop Unique Edenvale dress, $310. Net-a-porter.com
Proenza Schouler floral print blouse, $738.Net-a-porter.com
Aquazurra Wild Thing heels, $894. Matchesfashion.com
A.L.C. Daniels floral print skirt, $620. Matchesfashion.com
GALLIC
Summer’s new take on nautical? Gallic – think Brigitte Bardot basking seaside in St Tropez. Rework your stripes and red white and blue back with vintage-style denim to steer any sailor talk sharply away from preppy and into the shores of France; essentially, the attitude is more louche, less ‘ready at starboard’. Throw in a little tomboy across your accessories and you’re practically Parisian.
Country Road Bandeau shirt, $99.95. countryroad.com.au
Country Road high low hem shirt, $129. Countryroad.com.au
Witchery stripe exposed shoulder top, $69.95. witchery.com.au
Witchery Tia sandals, $99.95. witchery.com.au
Zara denim playsuit, $79.95. Zara.com
H&M Striped Dress, $29.95. hm.com/au
H&M wide cotton shorts, $29.95. hm.com/au
Seed culottes, $99.95. seedheritage.com
Seed stripe frill skirt, $79.95. seedheritage.com
Seed Emma espadrilles, $49.95. seedheritage.com
Marcs canvas stripe tote, $129. Marcs.com.au
Zara maxi dress, $49.95. Zara.com
GRAPHIC
Should a combination of lace, florals and general atypical ‘femme’ fabrics have you strapping on your Nikes and running for the hills, take a seat: think sharp, clean lines in graphic prints in sports-inspired silhouettes. Play it cool in unfussy shapes with a minimalist approach – crisp whites back with shots of bold colour.
Witchery cross over shorts, $89.95. witchery.com.au
Witchery Liam sneakers, $129/95. Witchery.com.au
Witchery overlay playsuit, $179.95. witchery.com.au
H&M Sleeveless dress, $69.95. hm.com/au
H&M heels, $69.95. hm.com/au
Seed crepe wrap rib skirt, $129.95. seedheritage.com
Seed flounce tie jacket, $169.95. seedheritage.com
Seed ribbed tube dress, $89.95. seedheritage.com
Seed Nikki jelly slides, $49.95. seedheritage.com
Marcs double layer textured wrap top, $149. Marcs.com.au
Balenciaga cutout leather pumps, $1,015. Net-a-porter.com
Jonathan Saunders Trinity dress, $1,393. Net-a-porter.com
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