A new year, a new mood. As we step into 2022, we enter a fresh era of optimism, positivity and effortless styling. There is a sense of ease in flowing silhouettes and languid tailoring, a return to slow fashion focusing on tailoring and artisanal detail, and a note of vitality in mood-enhancing hues and retro reruns.
Elizabeth Clarke gives you her guide to how to dress right now.
Kick your summer wardrobe into high gear with a basket bag guaranteed to imbue your look with beachy vibes and vintage appeal. Thank English-French fashion icon Jane Birkin for the basket bag - she famously paired hers with chic white blouses and denim. We’re taking notes and teaming ours with everything from Agua Bendita bikinis to Ulla Johnson maxi dresses. So Frenchy, so chic.
Spin back in time with a wink of 80s glam. Ganni brings us the best edit, complete with chunky studded points, bleached denim and amped-up prints. Resist wearing head to toe and style with restraint (read: minimal accessorising). A touch of retro is a sure-fire way to add instant pep to classic silhouettes and simple colour palettes.
The transformative power of a perfectly cut shirt, jacket and trousers makes man-style dressing a summer non-negotiable. Suited separates don’t have to convey corporate. Wear a tank top with tailored pants, a collared shirt with denim cut-offs, or give a simple dress structure with the addition of a jacket. Each piece is timeless and versatile, with a well-deserved place in our wardrobes forever.
How low can you go? According to designers, just beneath the shoulders. Top-half dressing (or undressing) just went up a notch with bare shoulders emerging on all our favourite runways. Add proportion with a long flowing hemline and pair of shoulder-dusting earrings.
Fight the heatwave with vibrant pops of dopamine-boosting colour and fashion that makes you smile. From neon hues to graffiti print kicks, If it makes you happy, wear it!
Cuffs, collar, dart placement, and pin tucking – there is no doubt shirt making is a true art form. Whether your shirtmaker is ankle-skimming, knee-hovering, waist-wrapped or loose, rest assured it is your chic one-stop summer wardrobe solution.
Athleisure makes another home run, with sporty details like drawstrings pulling up in the most unexpected places. Once reserved for marly greys, now they are waist wrapping the chicest of summer dresses and tunics. When used as a subtle waist detail, they also prove useful after a long summer lunch (and breathe….).
Our love affair with blue continues to gather pace with this season’s skirts, shirts, and dresses getting the true blue treatment. Team with a Matteau one-piece, Isabel Marant tee or bright Xirena shirt, a dose of blue makes dressing a cinch. No matter how high the temp, denim is always a good idea.
To shop more items just like this, explore our What's New collection!