Although fashion’s mode du jourincludes trucker sandals, printed slip dresses and pastel leather totes, it pays to look farther afield for summer staples that don’t flag you as a slave-to-fashion, especially if you want your clothes to take you through more than one season.
Jeans are the first hurdle.The best choices are those in dark navy denim, which is practical for work and weekends. Since most involve stretch, it is almost impossible to find them in 100 percent cotton. At the other end of the spectrum are jeans which cling tightly to the calves and thighs, like some of Topshop’s skinny numbers, providing little comfort in hot weather. When the sun shines, so does pure cotton – or at least cotton with little or no elastane.
Denim brands are a minefield, because our shape comes into play. The key here is forget about the label, try on several pairs and choose a fit that suits your shape. One seasoned buyer told me that the jeans that fit best are those with long zips which are back now. As one who has had: Levi’s, MiH, Paige, Notify, 7 for All Mankind, flares, straight leg and bootcut, none has ever felt quite right. They’ve been too high or too low (for a belt), too tight in the wrong places, too light or too heavy. When it comes to trousers generally, a central (rather than a side) zip is alway flattering, it’s a visual division that flattens the tummy, and a detail which makes jeans a popular choice. Wrangler straight legs are a good bet in terms of depth of colour and shape.
Left: Denim Spa Jean, from €110, Wrangler at Arnotts
T-shirts are another challenge. Again, shape is key. Finding 100 per cent cotton in the right shape is not easy, and many of the stretch-to-fit types – with which the accepted wisdom is to wear nude rather than white bras – lose their optic-white look after a few washes. Zara’s €9.95 organic cotton Ts, in a variety of colours and silhouettes, are good, as are those from Cos, and both rock the nautical Breton stripes at affordable prices in either fitted or roomier styles. Three-quarter-length sleeves are good to hide the flab. H&M does longer lengths (inexpensively), while the Swiss company Hanro does good woollen silk as well as cotton Ts and ships to Ireland. Though the quality is superb, colours are limited.
Trenchcoats have become so ubiquitous that it’s not hard to find inexpensive Burberry lookalikes.
Think of what suits your shape – single or double breasted, long or short – and whether the coat is showerproof. The weight of the coat ought to be taken into consideration. If you are going for a longer version, opt for a slight flare (to allow for a fuller skirt or dress underneath). You will find good ones at Massimo Dutti and Dunnes, which has a double-breasted version by Carolyn Donnelly, if you can't afford the lovely Junya Watanabe trenches in the Dublin boutique Havana. Right: Belted trench, €165, Massimo Dutti
When it comes to accessories, summer means sandals. Prepping the pins with a pedicure is a must when toes are being exposed to daily scrutiny – even if it’s only by your own eyes.
Alternatives to sandals for everyday wear are the supercomfortable Toms canvas classics. They are modern updates of the traditional shoes of Argentinian gauchos – alpargatas (find them in Office). Or try the ever-popular, machine washable Vans, (for those who want to cover up and don't fancy spending hours lacing up Converse).
Where to find a good blazer? There may be far more choice for men when it comes to this nautical favourite, but Zara Basic always has a well-cut blazer, as does the Kooples. Ralph Lauren’s shapely but more conservative (and pricier) versions are made from good-quality wool or cotton-linen mixes.
Many come with crested breast pockets that can be removed for a cleaner, less branded look. A little bit of shaping at the waist can make as much difference as a sharp shoulderline.
Add a pair of well-cut trousers (in the same shade of course), and hey, presto, you have a trouser suit. Left: Blazer, €79.95, Zara
An obvious worthwhile summer buy is a cashmere or merino sweater or a neat cardigan that takes the chill off a sleeveless dress without smothering it in knit. A thin sweater can be worn draped across the shoulders over a jacket – a look French and Italian men have mastered stylishly using a contrast colour.
Marks & Spencer continues to increase its cashmere range, and Lucy Nagle's pastel cashmere sweaters (in BT2) include hoodie versions for over a pencil skirt, jeans or shorts.
A note about shorts: curved hems like those on racer shorts should, like tulip- front skirts and dresses, be given a wide berth. Even the most beautiful legs look awful in these shapes. The most flattering shorts have a cut that leaves some space between the hem and the thigh, creating the appearance of a slimmer leg.
When it comes to a summer dress, remember that you will get very tired of a loud pattern – even if it’s an arty Prada face print or a Mary Kantrantzou copy. Better buys are dresses in either plain or block colours, thin stripes or discreet florals with white (rather than black) backgrounds.
J Crew, which now ships to Ireland, has a pretty floral number, and Cos has plain-coloured tent dresses (only for the flat-chested) and some navy cotton numbers for everyday which could be dressed up with jewellery for evening.
Jewellery can also dress up a soft silk shirt for evening. Cos has both sleeveless and sleeved pure-silk tops.
The best dresses for poolside in high summer should be spacious, floaty and long.
Go for cotton or linen or a cotton-linen mix– forget polyester and silk, which act like cling film when the weather is hot. A maxi shirt-dress can cover up a multitude and is more forgiving than the spaghetti-strap versions.
Sunglasses (preferably oversized to protect your eyes) – and straw-brimmed hats are both worth some thoughtful spending. Right: Tortoiseshell sunglasses, €205, Prada at Brown Thomas
