While summer can often feel out of reach during a long stretch of cold mornings in your reliable cashmere sweater (again), it’s a season that comes around quickly. One day you’re daydreaming about beach days and the smell of salt air and, before you know it, summer’s here and you're scrambling in your closet trying to wrangle your summer outfits.
Unlike winter, summer outfits require a bit more thought. There are no layers to hide behind; every piece is quite literally on show. While it’s challenging at first, we appreciate the opportunity to spotlight the standalone silhouettes that have been kept hidden away throughout the year, like a silk slip-on dress or a new tank top. All the elements just have to work a little bit harder. They have to blend cohesively together from an aesthetic point of view and be breathable, sweat-wicking, and (above all else) comfortable. What follows is proof that the simplest pieces are near-always the most effective.
The Fail-Safe Summer Outfit: Tank Top & Mid-Wash Jeans
The trick to dressing for any season, but particularly in summer, is to have a fail-safe uniform you can rely on: a selection of pared-back pieces you can dress up and dress down no matter the occasion. For us, this consists of a white tank top, a pair of classic mid-wash jeans, and some strappy sandals.
On the surface, this summer outfit might seem dull, but such an assessment is far from true. The high-waisted straight-leg jean offers a structured, polished foundation that can be styled with almost any shoe. While mid-wash jeans can be perceived as more fall-friendly, a white tank makes them more summer-applicable. The key when shopping for both of these items is to invest in high-quality pieces that are soft against the skin (look for cotton blends) and won’t fall apart after one soirée.
For Monday to Friday: Striped Shirt & Long Shorts
While work-from-home culture has given us more freedom with our outfits, dressing for the office can be difficult in summer. The look should be professional without feeling restricted, while also featuring layers to combat the chill of office air conditioning. It’s a hard line to walk. This is where the striped shirt and long shorts come in.
A style we’re charting for summer 2025, long shorts embody the same level of sophistication as your run-of-the-mill suit trousers—just with more breathability. If this is your first time wearing long shorts, look for silhouettes that aren’t too tight and land just above the knee. This will bring definition to your look without seeming out of proportion with your frame. We reach for styles with belt loops for office attire, as they keep the shorts in place and lend you a more put-together appearance, while also giving more room to play with accessories. This means when the weekend comes you can add a suede belt for a casual, textured look or keep it classic with a black calfskin leather design.
Keep your office shirt simple with a relaxed pinstripe cotton style that mirrors the tailored line of the shorts. Although linen might be the obvious choice for summer days, a cotton style boasts thermoregulatory properties to keep you cool and isn't as prone to creasing as linen.
For Poolside in Menorca: Linen Shirt, Black Bikini & Pajama Shorts
A poolside outfit is never just for the pool, especially if you find yourself on holiday with limited clothing options. Poolside attire should be multifunctional, ready for lunches, spontaneous bike rides, or bucolic days spent reading and making fresh salads. Enter: the linen shirt, pajama-style shorts, and a classic black bikini.
While a crisp cotton design is preferable for the office, lazy days spent by the pool require a linen style, one anchored by casual coolness and ease. You can wear it open when you need a simple cover-up, do it up for lunch, or even sport it tied at the bottom for a bohemian look. The best part? It doesn't matter if the linen shirt gets wrinkled. In fact, we would argue that the more wrinkled it gets, the better the memories you’ve made.
Balance out the casual effect by pairing your shirt with some pajama-style shorts. This silhouette has been doing the rounds the past few seasons via Ganni and The Frankie Shop, due to its comfortable elastic waistband, elevated pinstripe appearance that’s reminiscent of a classic Oxford shirt, and ability to bring a pop of color to your summer attire. The only thing you need now to complete your poolside outfit is a classic black bikini for afternoon dips and sunbathing.
For the Hamptons Courts: Pleated Skirt, White Tank & White Sneakers
What is summer if not the season of tennis? Whether you’re hitting the court or not, there’s no denying the aesthetic appeal of tennis whites when temperatures rise. Not only do they evoke a polished appearance, they are also a pragmatic option for mornings spent practicing your serve or strolling around the farmer’s market.
Any good tennis outfit is built around the skirt, but an investment-worthy one can be difficult to come by. The trick is to look for silhouettes made from a high composition of elastane and cotton, to ensure stretch and breathability for when you’re swinging up a storm. Don’t forget the shorts underlayer as well, so you can spend more time on your game and less on making outfit adjustments. Pleating is always preferred. This way, once the match is said and done, you can walk confidently into your lunch with the knowledge that your summer outfit has style and definition. Finish the court-ready look with a sweat-wicking lightweight vest and some white sneakers.
For Wining and Dining in Porto: Silk Midi Dress
There’s no better way to make the most of hot weather than alfresco dining. No matter if you’re dining out or enjoying your garden, a breathable and elegant dinner dress is a must. Although it's tempting to opt for a white maxi dress, the reality is it’s not very pragmatic—especially if you’re one for chocolate gelato. A better option would be a silk midi dress.
With its thermoregulatory properties, decadent shine, and multitude of color options (make sure you check out our summer color trends story), a silk midi is a no-fuss statement piece for fine dining. Our top tip? Try to avoid body-hugging silhouettes that may catch any potential sunburn—we’ve all been there and it's not worth the sting. Instead, look for column-like shapes that don’t swamp your frame and still feel elegant. Bonus style points if it has lace details for further elevation. Finish the look with a pair of T-strap sandals and a clutch.
For the Frequent Flier: Sweater, Baseball Cap & Louis Vuitton Duffle
A busy summer social calendar often means travel. Whether you’re heading out on vacation, hitting the wedding circuit, or simply going for a long weekend away, an outfit that is equal parts functional and fashionable (you don’t know who you’ll see) is nothing short of a necessity.
For us, this starts with a cashmere sweater. While this may seem like a rogue choice for high summer, it’s actually the most important travel item. With its rich composition and insulating properties, a cashmere sweater elevates your outfit without having to compromise on comfort and risk exposure to the incessant plane aircon. Further lean into this relaxed, yet cool, look with a pair of elastic cotton trousers and designer slides that you can easily swap for cashmere socks once you’ve boarded. Accessorize your travel outfit with a baseball cap for a sporty vibe and a designer duffle in the form of Louis Vuitton’s Keepall 55.