6 Ways To Style Out Summer In The City
When the temperature rises, curating a polished look can feel like a challenge. Discover the tried-and-tested capsule pieces you can depend on to stay stylish in the heat – and wear on repeat…
The printed dress
Closet heroes should be effortless, and the right printed dress will help you look instantly put together, with minimal styling required. The key is to choose a motif that echoes your aesthetic, and comes in a silhouette that can easily be paired with sandals, sneakers or flats. For something bold and beautiful, turn to Farm Rio – its lace-up mini dress in our NET SUSTAIN edit is printed with tropical blooms that reflect the vivacious spirit of the brand’s native Rio de Janeiro. Elsewhere, Ganni’s leopard-print number is another gorgeous option – cut from crisp cotton-poplin, it has a trio of bows along the front, and romantic puffed sleeves. Finally, you can’t go wrong with florals, and the delicate, lattice-like blooms decorating Agua by Agua Bendita’s ‘Balsa’ dress are perfect if you prefer daintier prints. The halterneck shape is ultra-flattering, too.
The short-sleeved shirt
A tailored style with beach-ready sensibility, the short-sleeved shirt is a warm-weather favorite that’s perfect for summer in the city. Wear the retro-inspired design partially buttoned over wide-leg pants or tucked into tailored shorts for smarter days, or pair with distressed denim for a weekend brunch. For printed versions, look to Zimmermann, whose ‘Ascension’ shirt is patterned with tropical foliage and hummingbirds, or try SIR. – the painterly blooms decorating its lightweight silk-organza shirt are sure to attract attention, especially when paired with the matching shorts. Both are highlights from our NET SUSTAIN edit. Alternatively, for something a little more office-appropriate, Anine Bing’s airy, woven ‘Coco’ style looks great styled with linen pants – but will work equally as well on vacation, tied at the waist over swimwear, à la Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
The city shorts
Shorts have been given a seriously stylish upgrade for SS25 (cue luxe fabrics and tailored shapes), making a crisply cut pair an elegant addition to your city closet. Invest in fresh linen, cotton or crepe designs to wear with a coordinating oversized blazer and button-down shirt, or opt for a simple tank top. Neutral styles, such as Matteau’s white organic cotton-blend twill shorts from our NET SUSTAIN edit, are inherently versatile and timeless. Wear them with minimal sandals and an oversized basket bag for instant city chic, or try a pair in a slightly warmer shade – TWP’s ‘Cisco’ iteration in butter-yellow will look effortless worn with a silky camisole and ballet flats. For the office, Róhe’s pleated knee-length shorts are a sleek alternative to pants on warmer days.
The maxi skirt
There’s no escaping the allure of a maxi skirt this season. Steeped in ’90s nostalgia, it’s as versatile as jeans and tailored pants, not to mention incredibly chic. An elegant everyday style, Toteme’s voluminous ‘Parachute’ maxi is made from weightless silk-blend to keep you cool in the heat – plus, it even has pockets. Meanwhile, Khaite’s sleek silk-organza style from its SS25 runway collection can be worn day or night with a tonal tank and mules. For low-key dinner dates, choose Johanna Ortiz’s ‘Keel’ style from our NET SUSTAIN edit, which is made from springy recycled-jersey in an easy, flowing shape. Complement the on-trend butter-yellow shade with chocolate or sky-blue accessories.
The flat sandal
Flat sandals are a true summer staple, and the smartest investments this season come in clean, streamlined shapes that you can slip on with shirt dresses and relaxed tailoring in the city, as well as swimwear and cover-ups when you’re on vacation. Delivering on both minimal elegance and comfort, Aeyde’s ‘Melody’ flip flops from our NET SUSTAIN edit are crafted from supple burgundy leather and will go with all your favorite summer outfits. Elsewhere, Chloé’s sandals are detailed with coin charms that nod to the brand’s heritage and evoke the relaxed, carefree spirit of far-flung escapes. Perfect for beach days and summer parties, Khaite’s taupe suede ‘Aimee’ sandals are a chic all-rounder. Wear them to rooftop drinks with a slip dress.
The canvas bag
In warmer weather, a canvas bag is a stylish choice. Lighter than classic all-leather designs, and a little more polished than a basket or raffia style, it will go with everything, from tailoring to midi dresses. Just be sure to choose something timeless that’s spacious enough to hold all your essentials, and by a brand that excels at impeccable craftsmanship. DeMellier’s ‘The Capri’ tote in leather-trimmed canvas more than meets these criteria – it’s generously sized and has a small zipped pouch inside for securing valuables. Alternatively, for a style that’s compact enough to wear in the evening, Liffner’s playfully named ‘Sprout Micro’ will easily fit inside a larger tote, ready to be used post-5pm. Both are highlights from our NET SUSTAIN edit. Drawn to heritage silhouettes? You’ll find the perfect style in Valentino Garavani’s ‘9to5’ bag, which comes in a ’70s-inspired satchel shape and is decorated with the brand’s recognizable ‘VLOGO’ hardware.
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