Most Wanted

When it comes to sartorial quandaries, there are few more universal than the predicament of how exactly to look chic and stay cool (literally) during summer in the city. It’s a balancing act that besets women across the world every year, and one that even the most adroit dressers struggle to master. However, this season, with international travel still an uncertainty for many of us, it’s more pertinent than ever.

After much trial and error, the PORTER fashion team, being based across London and New York, has realized that the key to getting it right is to introduce a sense of lightness and levity to your signature look. Case in point? By Malene Birger’s loose-fit tailored shorts. An elevated take on a summer essential, these minimal shorts boast the elegance of your go-to wide-leg trousers or cigarette pants, yet they’re versatile enough to wear with sweaters, shirts and bodysuits – Khaite’s ribbed designs, complete with a modern take on the traditional sweetheart neckline, is top of our wish list right now. The same logic applies to your shoes, too. You’d be forgiven for thinking flip flops should be strictly reserved for the beach, but Aeyde’s square-toed leather styles are the perfect summer substitute in lieu of chunky brogues or loafers.

Of course, no look is complete without a carefully curated selection of accessories, but this is especially true in the case of an urban summer look, where luxe embellishments ensure that your finished outfit is polished enough to translate seamlessly between work meetings, dinners and drinks with friends. It goes without saying that Loewe is the final word for a butter-soft leather handbag that’s understated enough to work with everything in your closet. The heritage house’s bijou ‘Balloon’ bag is a future classic. Meanwhile, gold art deco-inspired earrings, timeless sunglasses and a silk neck scarf will add instant flair to an otherwise simple outfit.

Finally, the one piece missing from this puzzle that promises to pull the entire look together is, of course, a perfectly cut blazer. A wardrobe staple for a reason, an exquisitely crafted blazer is one piece you’re sure to have on rotation season after season, all year round. Which is why, when Petar Petrov’s khaki iteration landed on NET-A-PORTER this week, fashion assistant Sabina Khan was quick to snap it up.

“Petar Petrov has given the everyday blazer a contemporary update. It’s classic and comfortable ­– making it a bona fide closet staple – but cool enough to make you stand out in a crowd. For work, I’ll be styling mine with a crisp white tee and premium denim. After dark, I’ll switch it up with a black tank, some leather pants and a pair of killer heels – remember those?”

Discover more from this week’s What’s New.