The Womenswear Edit
The Summer Trends You’ll Love
Eye-popping colours, fantastic feathers, and busy botanics are just some of the ways you can announce your fashion credentials this summer.
The SS23 runways were adamant on elevating the 9-5, something we can really get behind. It’s not about dressing to impress, it’s about dressing to EXPRESS, so wear your heart and soul on your tailored sleeves. Key among the looks at the likes of Victoria Beckham, Chanel and Chloé were slinky monochrome suits in beautifully draped fabrics. Classically tailored jackets rubbed padded shoulders with oversized ‘Dad’ blazers, all wrapped up in a palette of feminine neutral tones. The likes of PINKO and Peserico are great places to find modern, sexy, tailored shapes, but you’ll want to frame the monochrome suit with the key investment piece of the season: a statement oversized bag by brands such as Furla and Michael Kors. Larger than life and so versatile, it’s the accessory that demands everyone’s attention.
ACCESSORIES
The softly draped shapes of feminine tailoring are heightened by punches of colour and bold geometry, so discover the key accessories to punctuate the look and make a confident statement.
Florals are never far away from a feminine summer wardrobe, but this season’s bouquet is blooming with some seriously colourful petal power. From Dries Van Noten to Versace, collections were bursting with botanics, especially in the form of loud, busy prints, and chintz patterns, on anything and everything. Full skirts, printed slips and maxi dresses by brands such as Patrizia Pepe, Caractére, and Flavio Castellani are at the top of our wishlists, suitably clashed with floral motifs on strappy heels, silk scarves and the must-have oversize clutch. Even if you decide against the head-to-toe floral look, you can still get on the trend with a vintage floral scarf or skirt. The life cycle of flowers might be short, but the style-cycle of florals is evergreen.
ACCESSORIES
The best way to accessorise florals? With more florals! Find the key pieces at McArthurGlen Designer Outlets that will elevate this season’s most blooming trend.
From jumpsuits with parachute straps to voluminous cargo pants and multi-pocket chore vests, one of our favourite trends for the summer season sees utility silhouettes take on a new edgy but inherently feminine direction. At the very centre of this universe is the luxe cargo trouser, which has been transformed by brands like Claudie Pierlot and Sandro, joined by oversized chore coats and safari shirts in lightweight luxury fabrics. You don’t even have to go wild with this trend: a simple multi-pocket overshirt (‘borrow’ one off one of the guys in your family) layered over a cotton vest and worn with cargo pants and chunky platform heels will provide the perfect balance of sophistication and attitude.
CARGO CHIC ACCESSORIES
Soften the military influences of the Cargo Chic trend with pastel and neutral tone accessories in the shape of oversized clutches, smart totes and gold eyewear, all at McArthurGlen Designer Outlets.
If your wardrobe is hiding some deliciously distressed denim from the 90s then this year is the perfect time to show it some love again. From Givenchy and Bottega Veneta to Blumarine and Chloe, stylemakers are doubling down on slouchy jeans, denim bodices, distressed details, overdyes, and Canadian tuxedos (aka head-to-toe denim). It’s very much a ‘borrowed from the boys’ vibe, with stonewashed wide-leg jeans by the likes of Diesel and Levi's begging to be paired with oversized tailored jackets and bra tops or cotton singlets. But if you only make one investment in this trend, make it a classic denim trucker jacket - it’s the silhouette that never dies, and you’ll never get bored of styling it in so many new ways. Keep your accessories on the minimal side and let the denim do all the talking.
As the sun goes down on any given summer’s day, your style journey is only just beginning if the SS23 runways of Jil Sander, Versace, Giambattista Valli were anything to go by. Think cocktail party at Jay Gatsby’s mansion and you’ve got the idea - lots of raffia, feathers, delicate fringing and slinky bodysuits. Strappy fringed slip dresses by Etro and Iceberg, or a fringed skirt by Patrizia Pepe instantly evoke vintage glamour, but make it all the more modern with barely-there sandals and an investment clutch. Stick to one item with fringing or feathers to give it maximum impact, then just sashay away to your heart’s content. Luxurious creams, lilacs, blues and gold are the tones to go for, and keep your jewellery minimalist for a chic ensemble.
The temptation to overcomplicate things is one that runs through all of us, but most of the time, simplicity always trumps complexity. And so it is with one of the easiest of summer trends to get onboard with - the white shirt. Now, these aren’t your average 9-5 white shirts - this season’s species by the likes of Ixos, Elena Mirò, and Elisabetta Franchi come in wild dimensions, with voluminous sleeves, high-neck collars, or dress-like proportions. Smart yet edgy, they pair beautifully with tiered black skirts, or pleated black trousers. They’re a brilliant yet simple way to shake up your silhouette, and are perfect for those who like a restricted colour palette. Look for interesting fabric details such as ruching, embroidery, or avant garde collars with blown-out dimensions.