Summer luvin’

Shorts

Short shorts are back in men’s fashion. You can take this one of two ways; embrace the trend with dignity and purchase a pair of Diesel’s lovely chino shorts for £85, or steal your girlfriend’s best denim shorts and start incorporating phrases like “reem” and “shad ap” into your vocabulary, TOWIE-style. Yes, they are the only options. No, I can’t guarantee she’ll stay with you.

The trend for chino shorts extends to ladieswear too, with brands such as Paul Smith retailing cute pastel shades at £125, but fortunately it’s easier to do this style on a budget. H&M has coloured shorts in denim and chino fabrics from about £14 – buy one pair in a daring colour and make them this summer’s student-price statement, or go really crazy and get them all. At this price, who can resist?! Pair with brown sandals, a trilby and a loose tailored white shirt for ultimate holiday chic.

 

Dresses this season – whether simple, printed, plain – are all about understated detail. Throw away the harsh patterns and aztec styles of spring; it’s time to get girly. Hop on down to H&M for their super-flattering dairy print jersey dress (£7.99). D&G Silk, it may not be, but at less than a twentieth of the price can you really complain? Zara and Oasis have some beautiful floral – and fishy, oddly enough – prints around the £50 mark. A similar style to Vivienne Westwood’s take on the iconic Panier dress can be found in a well-chosen white or blue cotton shirt-dress. Check out Oasis or Topshop for crocheted and colourful styles.

Handbags

Everyone – and by ‘everyone’ I mean the nice people at Net-A-Porter – are going crazy for ‘raffia’ this summer. Wicker clutches are popping up everywhere with prices ranging from £10 (New Look) to £169 at upper-High Street brand Reiss, although you can still indulge yourself just below triple-figures at Paul Smith or Ted Baker. I love the Paul Smith number because of the cute “pouch” style – these bags are inspired by French brand Celine and the shape makes them useful as a makeup bag or small document carrier as well as for nights out. If you’re more of a leather type then head to Whistles for their pouch bag at the super-reasonable price of £35.

 

Shoes

The more fashionable males amongst you might want to experiment with a low-top Chelsea boot; however the rest of you will be pleased to note that – as long as you keep it simple – anything goes this summer. Stick to one colour and a good fabric – no neon plastic sandals or printed Nike high-tops please – and you’ll be fine. Winning choices would be a pair of leather Abercrombie flip-flops (£50), TOMS (£30-40), white Converse (£40-50) or a pair of navy-blue deck shoes.

Put your heels down and dig your wedges out girls! UGG, a brand traditionally associated with sheepskin boots, have a summer collection that is to die for, available on ASOS for about £145 (before discount!). Designer Aussies ‘Senso’ and trainer brand ‘ASH’ also have wonderful wedges for similar prices, but don’t forget to check out our old friends Office for colourful and patterned daytime staples at student prices.

 

Swimwear

Fluorescent, checked and floral are all set to impress in the menswear department, but avoid the dreaded Speedo and leave the Bond film impressions to the girls; you’ll look more like Borat. Invest in a flower-print pair from Amsterdam brand Scotch & Soda and you’ll even get a free bag!

If you’re a fancy kinda girl then this is your chance because swimwear isn’t simple chic this season; it’s bright, it’s frilly, it’s patterned, it’s floral… it’s fifties. There had to be a catch, didn’t there? Miu Miu’s Bond-girl style one-piece is gorgeous but I prefer Seafolly’s kitsch styles; they’re less daring, a little cheaper, and you can find them in summer promotions at ASOS. Add a large hat and Halle Berry’s got nothing on you.

 

The very essence of summer-cool is the number of leather or fabric bands around your wrist; whether male or female, from the latest indie festival or still damp from the Cote d’Azur, it’s a must-have. If you don’t have time to nip to Cannes, then head to Hush near Fenwick and immerse yourself in their range. H&M also has great colourful styles, and if you’re feeling a little edgy (and indulgent) then check out Alexander McQueen’s fluorescent razor blade bracelets at Coggles.

If you’re not sure about any of the trends described on this page – especially raffia – then remember this: Jane Birkin once carried around a wicker basket in favour of a leather handbag – and look what Hermes did for her.