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 that 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 Charo Ruiz – the brand’s drop-waist ‘Melia’ dress is printed with watercolor-effect butterflies and has pretty guipure lace trims. The sweeping, tiered silhouette moves beautifully, making it perfect for a night of dancing. 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 classic florals, and the painterly blooms decorating Donde Esteban’s figure-skimming ‘Flores’ mini are particularly special – they were created by designer Esteban Cortazar’s father, Valentino.
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 Alix of Bohemia – the paisley motif decorating its lightweight cotton-voile ‘Ophelia’ shirt is sure to make a statement, especially when paired with the matching pants. Both are highlights from our NET SUSTAIN edit. Alternatively, for something a little more vacation-ready, Róhe’s airy silk-organza iteration looks great styled with shorts or 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 – Max Mara’s light-brown iteration will look effortless worn with a denim jacket and ballet flats. For the office, Posse’s pleated linen shorts are a sleek alternative to pants on warmer days, and are yet another highlight from our NET SUSTAIN edit.
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, Aje’s tiered A-line maxi is made from weightless cotton-voile to keep you cool in the heat – plus, it even has pockets. Meanwhile, Khaite’s sleek silk-organza stye from its SS25 runway collection can be worn day or night with a silky camisole 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, A.Emery’s ‘Kinto’ flip flops have been crafted by artisans in India from supple brown leather and have sleek square toes. Elsewhere, Aquazzura’s ‘Oaxaca’ sandals are detailed with tomato-red leather straps that wrap around the ankles and evoke the relaxed, carefree spirit of tropical escapes. Plus, they’re exclusive to NET-A-PORTER. Perfect for beach days and summer parties, Loewe’s slides are a true all-rounder. Shaped to resemble the brand’s heritage ‘Anagram’ motif, they come in versatile tan leather.
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. Khaite’s ‘Lotus’ tote in leather-trimmed canvas more than meets the criteria – it’s generously sized and has a small, zipped pouch inside for securing valuables. Drawn to heritage silhouettes? You’ll find the perfect style in Bally’s ‘Beckett East West’ tote, which is inspired by vintage bowling bags and decorated with preppy striped webbing.
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