Style status

Explore the summer aesthetic with go-to seasonal looks.

Words Nicky Adams

Jets Floreale bikini top $148 and pant $127, Isla Rib one-piece, $254, Temptationslingerie.nz 

In the heat of summer, air flow and comfort are golden. This season, "coastal grandma" is trending – and it’s not just an aesthetic, it’s a lifestyle. Essentially laid-back oceanside minimalism, age is immaterial (Anne Hathaway is a big fan) – it’s a state of mind. Easy-fitting dresses, loose low-rise wide-leg trousers that sit on the hips, capacious shirts that billow in the breeze, all providing cover and keeping you feeling and looking cool all at the same time. Simple chic, monochromatic, light tones and, of course a dash of linen. With oversized silhouettes ruling the room, footwear needs to provide balance – enter the chunky leather slide. This classic style will keep you grounded all day long. 

Deadly Ponies slides, $449, deadlyponies.com

At the other end of the spectrum of holiday wear is sporty athleisure – track tops, bike shorts and polo shirts. This streetwear vibe translates well to the beach – just throw on a pair of robust slides. Swimwear is another seasonal must-have. From experience, I can vouch that buying quality is money very well spent; the difference in price is reflected in fit and longevity of fabric; sustainability is also high on the agenda for an increasing number of brands. This summer you can push aside reservations about body type, as there’s a style for every figure – one-shoulder, textured, ribbed, metallic, cutout. Lots of high-end design houses feature beautiful swimwear, but it’s hard to get past the trusted brands that emphasise longevity, style and durability. This year you’ll see swimwear that doubles as daywear "beach to bar" – a one-piece worn as a bodysuit, styled with a flowing skirt or pants. 

Aphrodite maxi gown, $140, taylorcovecollection.com

The Bold And The Beautiful

With fashion increasingly accepting that personal style should dictate your wardrobe as much, if not more than the latest looks, the scope for creativity has blossomed. 

It’s fair to say that bohemian chic always feels as though it’s low-level trending. However, some of the signature styles that define boho are featuring this summer under their own steam, and it definitely feels as though you can pick up a little hippy without going full Woodstock. Fringing (a boho mainstay) is very much back on the radar, as is beading as an embellishment. Crochet in its many iterations has moved from the catwalk to the high street, and we’re seeing tops, bottoms, dresses, and even swimwear, all with a 2022 vibe about it. A silk scarf is another runway to real-life trend
– from a headscarf to worn through your belt, style it how you will. 

Percival dress, $845, magalipascal.com.au

While pink still rules as the colourway for summer, designers are bringing us orange, tangerine and pumpkin spice in mouthwatering hues. At this time of year we’re all reaching for event wear – party gear, racewear, Christmas do – and it’s hard to resist going all out. It’s also hard to avoid satin and sequins, and why would you want to? If embracing the joy of fashion is your thing, then look no further than the wave of "hyperfeminine", championed by designers such as Simone Rocha. The ruffles, tulle and pastels are a perfect dip into fashion wonderland. Currently red carpets abound with white suits, which is a personal "gotta have it/make it stop" moment. Having tried the look in the late 90s (when, on reflection, I looked like a dentist), my preference is the equally on-trend but less structured head-to-toe white look, which perfectly nails low-key luxury.

GUESSED DRESSED

Suit and tie, or smart casual? Haute couture, hat and heels, or cocktail dress? Where to start (and what not do to) with wedding guest wear.

The invitation is on the mantelpiece, and excitement is building – there’s no doubt a wedding is the ultimate occasion to really have fun with fashion. This is one event when you can flex every sartorial style muscle in your body, but it is one that requires a high degree of outfit planning. 

I was fizzing to attend a school friend’s wedding recently, so much so that “whittling down” still included at least five dress options. The day itself turned out to be a freakish 40 degrees, and let’s just say full-length satin was not going to be a practical choice. I ended up in none of the dresses I had optioned, instead in far more casual (but infinitely cooler) silk shorts and camisole, jazzed up with a headband, an upgraded handbag, and heels. The moral of the story: Don’t disregard having a backup option, or make sure you check out the weather forecast.

Aside from the practicalities of the time of year, you’ll need to read between the lines as to the type of occasion this wedding will be: Relaxed or formal. This can often be given away by location – a church or city event may indicate a tighter dress code; country or beach might imply more relaxed. Then, of course, a key consideration will be your role, and whether it is that of guest, or as part of the bridal party itself.

With mindful fashion choices increasingly at the fore, as well as budget-consciousness, there’s far more of an emphasis on finding something that can be worn again and again, rather than a one-hit wonder. This will generally lead you to avoiding fleeting trends and sticking with colours that suit you. That is, of course, unless those colours are black or white – etiquette dictates that for anyone other than the bride or groom, shades of white should be avoided at all costs. Black has a little more leeway; while traditionally considered off-limits, it has started to creep into wedding guest attire. And although head-to-toe may feel a little bleak on such a joyous day, if you really want to wear black, work it into your outfit by way of bag, shoes, or part of a pattern.

So, where to start? For guests, while style is important, comfort is key. 

FORMAL

Fashion has become more flexible, meaning it’s easier to be formal without looking stuffy or as though you’ve aged 20 years overnight. For a more modest look something with a hemline below the knee or with sleeves could easily be found within the multiple maxi dresses in vogue. If you prefer a slightly shorter hemline (emphasis on slightly), then a cocktail style dress might be just the ticket. Think about both style and fabric choice, a high sheen silk or satin immediately smartens, and a voluminous style such as a shift can be super chic. And then there’s the men – if we’re talking formal then for summer a light-coloured suit such as a pale blue or grey can be stunning but avoid shiny fabrics and look for a high-quality fine wool. To tie or not to tie is often the question, but if you’re wearing a suit then a tie finishes the look nicely. Or you could opt for a single-breasted jacket with smart pants and an open-neck linen
shirt, which can still look very smart.

BEACH COUNTRY / CASUAL

If we assume that we’re working with the summer months and a beach location, the chances are you’ll want something that will withstand a high temperature. "Elevated comfort" is pivotal to this look. A natural fibre such as silk will keep you cooler, and when it comes to choosing a style, consider that you could be standing in blazing sunshine, so it may be worth picking something with a degree of coverage. Footwear is critical – barefoot may look fabulous in magazine fashion shoots, however in reality you risk scalding the soles of your feet, so find a shoe that won’t sink in the sand, but that will complement your outfit. Equally for a low-key occasion the scope is endless. There’s a definite move among guests to embrace colour (think Amal Clooney at Harry and Meghan's wedding), which coincides with a huge fashion shift towards dopamine dressing. If complete saturation feels too much, use a colour pop as a springboard to accessorise. If you want to change it up from a dress, then smart jumpsuits can be versatile and flattering. For men, a low-key look
is a breeze – short sleeved shirt, smart shorts, and suede loafers. Job done.

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE OR GROOM

The golden rule is to never outshine, or draw attention away from the bride, which really implies nothing too outrageous, low cut, and lots of communication to establish the general colour theme of the bridal party. Something to remember is that you’ll be in lots of photographs, so pick a fabric that won’t crease. Also think about your silhouette in all those piccies; I’ve looked at shots post event and realized some design details just don’t translate well on film; all I will say is that my bête noire involved a very puffed sleeve. For those that want to move away from the traditional MOB/MOG vibe, a more modern (and increasingly popular) look is a tailored summer suit, which can be both stunning, and will last a lifetime. Alternatively, an off-the-shelf trouser suit can be altered to fit.

ACCESSORIES

A hat is far from an expectation, although in the heat of summer can be worked into your outfit choice as sun protection. Headbands have muscled fascinators to the side, and while the raised padded Alice bands can be hard to wear if you’re more mature, try a woven or mixed material creations which look fun and modern. A small handbag can pull an outfit together, and either help tie shoes in, or, in the case of my own more casual two piece, elevate the look altogether. Shoes are a vital part of the equation. While heels are elegant, they can also be disastrous, depending on the terrain. Nothing is worse than that sinking feeling as your heel slides further down into the grass with each step you take. The trend for platforms has wedding guests singing hallelujah the world over.

TO FINISH

Even in the height of summer I never leave home without a cover-up, and you can guarantee a temperature drop for an event that spans day to evening. While a pashmina may feel a little grande dame, the fact that it folds into a bag is priceless. Alternatively, a light or bright blazer will suit just about any look and doesn’t have to be a big-ticket item. It can be found in myriad fabric options and cuts, which means you can avoid looking "officey". Linen, satin, viscose – cropped or a little loose. This fashion staple will stand you in good stead as the sun goes down… After all, the key thing to remember about a wedding is that you’re there to celebrate, so whatever you wear needs to allow you to feel fabulous as you party the night away.