Total Escapism

Wherever you spend your summer, one thing is indispensable – swimwear, and the SS23 collections deliver a riot of punchy color and high-impact silhouettes. Cut through the melee by remaining true to your style: “While the mood for swimwear this summer is colorful and super-sexy, don’t panic, as whatever you feel most comfortable in is the mood of the season,” says NET-A-PORTER’s fashion director Kay Barron. “If you add one new style this summer, think bold primary colors – like a box of kids’ Crayola crayons – confident cutouts or strappy bikinis.”

It makes sense to start with a label that hails from the beach capital of the world – Rio-based Haight. “Our pieces are designed to be used for different occasions and looks,” says founder Marcella Franklin of the label’s slick, elevated styles. Haight’s zesty-orange bikini is exclusive to NET-A-PORTER and the ultimate uplifting summer hue. “There’s a feeling of optimism and vibrancy in leisure time,” says Franklin, “and laranja mie is a vibrant, intense, sunny color that works well on all skin tones.”

If you’re in the mood to mix it up, pair the bold tone with contrasting colors – see Magda Butrym’s cobalt-blue high-waisted bikini bottoms. The joy of well-cut swimwear is it needn’t be confined to the pool or beach: “I treat swimwear as RTW on vacation,” says Barron. “A swimsuit with denim shorts and a white linen shirt tied over the top is always a win. And in hot weather in the city, a colorful bikini top is a cute bra alternative for a bold hit beneath a pale silk shirt.”

On vacation, when you’re beckoned away from the beach or pool, a few versatile essentials can transition effortlessly to lunch, or beyond. First up, the tank – this understated style has become something of a stealth closet hero, and was the star of last summer. Californian brand Agolde’s tie-dye ‘Nova’ style perfectly captures this season’s nostalgic mood: “The ‘Nova’ is our go-to essential tank,” says Karen Phelps, Agolde’s creative director. “A shrunken silhouette with a thoughtful curved hem showcasing a touch of midriff makes it a true summer piece, and the hand-dyed textural print is reminiscent of the late ’90s.”

And while floaty dresses will always have a place in your suitcase, this season, try a pair of what Vogue has dubbed ‘poolside pants’. “Pants should not take a back seat for summer,” agrees Page. “Whether that’s an elasticated-waistband style in a light linen or a statement crochet pair, they can be just as much a part of your summer wardrobe as they are for winter.” The ideal style can be worn with a swimsuit as a body, paired with a trusty tank, or dressed up with a slinky silk shirt. Try Stella McCartney’s black pair, crocheted with hearts, to add a sprinkling of Daisy Jones bohemia to your look, or Loewe’s cult collaboration with Paula’s Ibiza may have delivered the perfect pair of summer jeans – a rose-printed pair with a free-wheeling ’70s mood.

Speaking of summer jeans, this season’s passion for all things ’90s is driving a major vintage-denim revival. Choose wisely and the utility fabric will switch up easily from deserted beach to city rooftop. Enter the denim jacket: “There’s a reason we’re all glued to a denim jacket over summer,” says Page – “namely its longevity; it has yet to go out of fashion. To keep things feeling fresh, pair it with a matching pair of denim shorts or style blue with blue.” Seek out something oversized, with classic details – this summer, it doubles as the perfect cover-up, and you’ll have it in your arsenal forever.

The joy of denim is its star doesn’t fade when it steps out of the spotlight. “Denim is one of the purest forms of a true American classic,” says Amy Smilovic, founder and creative director of New York-based brand Tibi. Championing the evergreen appeal of the denim shirt, the label’s boxy sleeveless style comes in the perfect shade of blue: “It’s the piece that can make anything dressed up a little more chill; anything tailored a bit more effortless,” she says. “On summer vacay, I’ll toss one over a bandeau top and a full skirt; or, for life in New York, I’ll wear it with my favorite jeans for a whole denim moment.”

When every piece on your packing list must earn its place, it’s the finishing touches that elevate a look, says Tilly Macalister-Smith, a writer and editor based between New York and London. “I look to jewelry to provide easy ways to add a little vacation spirit to a simple linen dress, or a swimsuit that doubles as an evening bodysuit. Hammered gold is great, as it doesn’t lose its luster if tarnished with a little salty seawater. And beaded earrings and necklaces – oversized and in vibrant colors – feel instantly beachy with a tan.”

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