How To Nail Summer Maximalism

Whether you’re a seasoned or seasonal maximalist, there is something quite cathartic about unleashing your more experimental side during the summer months. While fall and winter can be all about palette-cleansing neutrals, vacations are made for our sartorial alter-egos to let rip with vibrant color and bold prints. Making the leap from sensible office tailoring to packing your most out-there outfits for your upcoming summer escape can feel overwhelming, but fear not – there are some easy guidelines to nailing maximalism.

“I was born in Jamaica, where vibrant and colorful style is the norm. You could say that daring to mix and match is in our DNA,” says Milan-based fashion creative and kaleidoscopic dresser Tamu McPherson. “When I look at prints and textures, I just go with whatever pleases my eye the most.” McPherson is drawn to brands like Bottega Vaneta, Bode, Diotima, Christopher John Rogers and Marrakshi Life for the boldest looks. And while her own styling is innate, she recommends going “slow and steady” if you’re experimenting with a more extravagant aesthetic. “There’s no need to rush and try colors or prints you’re not comfortable with just for the sake of the exercise,” she advises. “Start with a classic bold color, like Yves Klein blue. Browse through Yves Saint Laurent’s historic runway shows or Pierpaolo Piccioli’s collections during his tenure at Valentino Garavani. These designers will make you fall deeply in love with color and inspire you to mix and match hues you never thought could work together.”

The key is to start with one hero piece and “let it lead the look”, says French content creator and maximalism aficionado Carla Ginola. “I try to balance proportions and sometimes tie everything together with a unifying tone, but I’m not afraid of trying things and mixing prints and colors if it works,” she adds. “For me, the goal is always to create something playful and unexpected, without losing the harmony.” Her litmus test when shopping goes like this: “‘Is this too much?’ Because that’s usually a sign I’ll love it.” Ginola gravitates towards Alaïa and The Attico. “Alaïa is all about sculptural, body-hugging pieces that feel powerful without being loud,” she says. “It’s maximalism through craftsmanship. And then there’s The Attico, which is more about bold colors, unexpected cuts and that confident, glam energy. And this summer, I’m loving a Pucci set.”

A printed Pucci bikini is a great place to start, as color always feels right on a sun lounger (or better yet, a yacht’s sundeck) – and you can style it with more pared-back pieces, like a white linen shirt and denim cut-offs. This fuchsia style comes decorated with the brand’s archival marble-effect pattern from 1968, which will instantly mark you out as a connoisseur of maximalism. For summer evenings, consider Simkhai’s ‘Acacia’ dress, which is crafted from stretch-jersey and tie-dyed in a vibrant palette that the brand has evocatively dubbed ‘Sea Glass Sunset’. If this all feels too much, too soon, you can always dial things back with accessories – Loewe’s dreamy ‘Flamenco’ clutch in yellow will subtly put your trusty neutrals into summer mode.

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