Now we actually have a summer to speak of, it’s the perfect look for the warmer weather. There is even a case for shorts in the workplace as the new crop of styles range from super chic knee-length suit shorts to sleek and tailored styles in office-appropriate pinstripe. George at Asda’s black linen with chalk stripe pair are a great place to start (£12). Alternatively, Me & Em’s tailored black pair (£175) works well with summer’s other hot piece: the waistcoat. Add a blazer, belt and loafers to pull things together.
If knee-length shorts aren’t ordinarily your sartorial go-to, the runway shows may convince you otherwise. Steal styling tricks from the catwalk. At Marques’ Almeida, navy taffeta shorts were worn with a matching oversized shirt and strappy heels for evening; at Carven with a shirt and statement earrings; while at Chanel (left) they were denim-look with a smart bouclé jacket. A summer staple that always works in the heat is an all-white outfit. Team a white shirt with Reformation’s long-line linen Liam shorts (£148), add a pair of fisherman sandals and white socks for the day, and a vest and mesh ballet pumps for the night.
Denim is the casual equivalent of this trend, perfect when worn with an oversized linen blazer and flowing shirt, spotted at Arket (2, below) and Nobody’s Child, in a light wash (£55). If a vest and shorts feels too underdressed for daywear, add an unbuttoned striped shirt and half-tuck in one side – it will keep you feeling cooler. Or try a cotton pair in any colour with a white tank top and chunky sandals for a weekend look, and swap in a kitten heel and gold chain necklace to take you to dinner.
1. Stripe £88, freepeople.com
2. Denim £67, arket.com
3. Lyocell £45.99, mango.com
4. Metallic £95, cos.com
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5. Tailored £290, toteme.com
6. Dark denim £146, thefrankieshop.com
7. Pinstripe £37, weekday.com