Summer style

By Sam Goss

Whilst summer’s approach has brought along a number of contrasting things (mosquitoes, daytime cocktails and backyard cricket), it has also brought a myriad of style queries.

Australians are lauded for their easy-going approach to life and the same goes for their style philosophy. However, living in a city with a climate about as stable as an elephant on a tightrope, summer dressing needs to be a well-thought-out task.

A cheat’s approach is the stock-standard denim cut-off shorts and an old pair of thongs. However, this laid-back method can quite easily cross over into “white-trash” territory depending on the length of your shorts and the amount of skin showing.

A safe (and classy) rule for ladies is to purchase your shorts a size too big to avoid anything “hanging-out” the back. If they’re too loose up top, belt it. A belt will always be chicer than having half (or all) of your lady-behind on display.

Instead of donning a pair of havianas, leave the “havs” behind and get your toes into a flat sandal in a fun, bright colour or a leopard print if you are of the daring-animal variety.

Man-style oversized tees are always a sexy option for women. Hit up Bassiske in Hawksburn for classic cuts and colours or Ksubi on Chapel St for edgier options with tongue-in-cheek slogans like “Boys Who Skate Are Better at Grindin”.

If you’re keeping in mind the most imperative aspect of summer dressing, take note of this: SUN-SMART IS SEXY. Write that down!

Men can walk into General Pants or any skate shop and choose from a bucket load of trendy baseball caps or snap-backs. And the ladies can thrown on a ’70s-style, felt wide-brim or a sexy fedora and make even the simplest of outfits more interesting.

Finish the look with a pair of tortoise-shell Karen Walker sunglasses and you have yourself an effortless and sun-safe ensemble to carry you all through summer.