Summer Wardrobe: City Heat

It is easy to imagine summer in Cyprus as an endless row of beach umbrellas, whispering waves and refreshing drinks on picturesque taverna terraces. You definitely don’t need much in the Mediterranean paradise, do you? A swimsuit, a breezy tunic, a straw hat, flip-flops, and there you have it — a life without a care. But apart from the beach how to manage in a heated town? How to cope with the beating-down sun and heat waves elegantly and actually dressed? Fashion has got your back: with a little bit of imagination never ending summer would become a style festival.

Neutral dress

Let’s start with the simple and obvious: summer dresses of the moment are the real lifesavers when it comes to hot weather. Breathable and nice to touch fabric, airy or waist conscious silhouettes, light neutral colours and some delicate detail — think perforation, Broderie Anglaise, or ruffles — and you get an ultimate nothing-to-wear buster for the whole summer ahead.

White cotton dress is an absolute essential. It can be spiced up with a bright perspex choker necklace or layered golden chains with sentimental lockets. Paired with espadrilles or kitten hills and accomplished by a tiny embellished purse or a net bag according to the occasion. The neutral dress gives you a new look everyday.

 

Skirt forward

Sarong is no longer just a beach accessory of asian ancestry, but the leading skirt of the season. Designers have made it an avant garde statement item. Think a fringed french terry towel wrapped around your hips but it is actually a skirt. And if it is too darring for you, there are plenty more options in the market. The fact is it is a really comfortable and versatile piece for the hot weather, so take what you need, leave what you don’t.

Midi skirts are great for corporate looks: elegant yet on trend, breathable, and nothing but boring. Thanks to graphic and floral prints, color blocking, plisse, metallic threads, or asymmetric hems a good old midi becomes a centerpiece of the look. A contemporary formal skirt can feature huge roses or tiny daisies print, contracting stripes, palm tree leaves or stylized folk patterns.

Just add a crisp white shirt or a neat linen top, a decent necklace and classic pumps, and there you have it: your power look for anywhere from the boardroom to opening parties.

 

Shorts galore

The most loved and utilitarian item of summer wardrobe, shorts become really smart this summer. Trends, colors and lengths to taste. Higher waist is the magic ingredient here. While lengthening any legs it also elevates the whole look. Even denim cut-offs if high-waisted can make you feel like a lady. Paperbag shorts are leading this season: with generous pleats at the waist or a fabric belt tied into a preppy bow. Earthy camel, olive and sand colors are classy and foolproof. Cargo and safari shorts with exaggerated pockets (or just one but huge) join the party.

Tailored knee-length shorts are another strong entry this summer. With options to choose of course: from slim to baggy, with classic front pleats or flared. This sartorial chic is office apropos still very comfy for long strolls and weekend journeys. Complete such bermudas with a white tank and platform sandals.

Meanwhile denim shorts are not going anywhere. Just keep in mind that high-waisted rule and accentuate that area even more with a belt/buttons/chains/charms/chains-with-charms etc. Fringe and wash hue are free choice.

Finally if you really want to level-up your short game, look for retro sailor shorts with shiny metal buttons. Navy, black or striped with pleats or even scalloped hems — they all look sharp and celebratory.

 

Top and timeless

It’s hard to imagine anything better than a plain white t-shirt or an airy blouse for hot summer days. They hide the skin from the sun, let the body breathe, freshen up the face as well as the look in general. Just like a neutral dress a white top is a humble canvas for your favorite jewellery and accessories. Voluminous sleeves are still in, but remember to watch proportions: party at the top should be leveled with business in the bottom vice versa.

A good classically tailored shirt with dark green, light blue or orange stripes is another timeless summer essential that goes great with both season’s shorts and skirts.

90’s minimalistic approach is still on the rise and gives us sleeveless fine knit crew neck tops. They look perfect under boxy jackets and compliment bermuda shorts.

Crochet crop tops of natural hues will add a romantic notion to denim and slim trousers.

 

Made for walking

Summer shoes should be comfortable and cheerful. And it’s no secret the best adventure companions like Birkenstock and Teva are no longer just geeky shoes for hikers or doctors — these brands accept fashion challenges enthusiastically.

The first has launched the most talked about collaboration of the year with New-York based fashion brand Proenza Schouler. The latter eagerly work with hype-ish brands like Opening Ceremony, Outdoor Voices, COMME des GARÇONS, White Mountaineering and keep influencing other brands’ designs strongly. Severely popular amongst stylists Arizona Love sandals are a fresh example. They look exactly like Tevas covered with strips of bright colored cloth from classic red bandanas to lace.

There are even more options down the retro lane. 70’s clogs are having a moment now. Either flat or dramatically platformed they go well with anything exposing legs. The 90s are teasing with sensual modestly heeled slides. And if you are into grandpa chic, designers reinvented those sturdy sandals with a lot of leather straps just for you. Add socks for an amplified effect (and those non pedicure days too).

 

See through

What a summer wardrobe would look like without sunglasses?

A good frame works miracles: from changing your face and style to uplifting your moods. Narrow rectangular shapes from the 90s (yes, that decade again!) playfully tinted will steal the show at a party. Neat and classic round clubmaster like shades will add some class. Cat-eye sunglasses are oversized no more, so think 50’s Hollywood and almost triangle lenses. Aviators look good in thin and intricate wire frames from the 70s.

And don’t forget to add an up-spiriting colorful pair or two to your summer collection — two-tone gradient acrylic frames are the chicest.

 

Good to know

We got new additions to online stores delivering to Cyprus this May: COS, Arket, Weekday, Monki, & Other Stories.

All of them now have special offers to welcome new market customers:

• use promo-code ‘WEEKDAY25’ to get -25% and free delivery at Weekday,
• promo-code ‘WELCOME20’ gives a 20% discount at Сos,
• get -10% using promo-code ‘arket’ at Arket,
• promo-code ‘Welcome10’ (as well as the newsletter sign-up) takes 10% of your cart at Monki.

And don’t forget about their head company H&M itself, known for not only an almost endless product range covering trends anywhere from fashion to kids to home. Apart from their hard to beat quality-price ratio basics collection they launch noticeable designer collaborations nearly every month. But the giant’s main goal became to provide as much upcycled clothes as possible. H&M has got huge overstock problems leading to serious reputational ones.

So to prevent overproduction they now offer more and more things made of recycled fibers which now equals 57% of the stock and is planned to be 100% by 2030. There’s also textile collection boxes at the offline stores — any donation is awarded with a 15% discount.

Learn about the other ways of recycling your unwanted things and being environmentally stylish in our ‘zerowaste’ section.