Over the last few weeks, the temperature has taken a dip and the long sunny days of Summer 18′ seem like a distant memory.
Without a doubt, this has been a standout summer for the UK and one that we’ll look back on with fondness, forget about Summer of 69′, Generation Z will be telling all their kids and grandkids about Summer 18′.
So what made this year so special? There was definitely something in the air this year and due to a culmination of things, after a bitterly cold winter that would never seemingly end, the summer months arrived and hit hard.
Usually, here in the UK, we’re blessed with a maximum of 5 days of good weather, the shorts and sliders come out, the BBQs are lit and beers & wines sunk like they’re going out supply. However, this year, there was no stopping the sun, days and days passed with temperatures rising and rising, hitting the 30-degree point numerous times.
With good weather comes good spirits, everyone is in a better mood and bouncing around with a smile on their faces. It really can feel like you’re abroad, with that continental vibe and spirit almost taking over our personalities. We forget all our troubles and the warmth brings so much joy to us all.
So the good weather had a massive factor to play in making this year one to remember, but it was what we were seeing on our screens gave us that extra bit of excitement. The World Cup was probably the least anticipated tournament in years, but boy did it deliver. Football fever took over the nation.
After a slow start, England picked up momentum and battled their way through to the semi-finals, so close to ending all those years of hurt (An honorable mention to Nigeria for their efforts too). We were all gripped.
And as tradition now with every summer, Love Island was back on our screens and had everyone gripped with quips of loyalty and types on paper. Combined with the football and scorching temperatures, the mix seemed to bring out the best in us all.
Whilst all these took us by surprise, perhaps the biggest of the summer was the style.
No longer just in the wardrobe of women, this year the floral print has become a men’s spring/summer staple. These days it finds a place on everything from three-piece tailoring to t-shirts and has undoubtedly been the standout menswear trend of the summer, this time on shirts.
When you watch a fashion show sometimes I think that menswear designers are out to do a number on us and have us dressed to the extreme. You would think that would be the case with the resurgence of print shirts which, on the first take, seems like a bit of odd trend. Liking a tropical shirt flies in the face of all good reason: they’re usually gaudy, never fit particularly well and are invariably worn by badly dressed men on holiday.
Nobody, therefore, is more surprised than me that this trend works so well and that I’m fully embracing the idea of tropical print shirts for SS18. Incorporating floral into your everyday look in a tasteful way has become a whole lot easier than you might think and once again we have the runways to thank as the look floods the high street from H&M to Zara, there are so many options.
Oddly enough, it was Paris (definitely not tropical) that embraced the trend most warmly with Louis Vuitton show a few seasons back, making me change my mind and admit I was wrong.
One tip I will give is getting on board with this trend requires subtlety. Seek out designs in pared palettes and combine with dark tailored chinos or jeans like my pair from mnml, which I have styled here with black Chelsea boots.
Keep everything fairly simple – pair with jeans or a suit to make the print pop. Stripes or classic microprint – is the easiest way to go, but bold graphics and florals are more than suitable. If you want to mix it up, throw a white tee underneath and wear with some plain, clean, trainers and or you’re feeling a bit more formal, feel free to tuck your shirt for a neat finish.
So there you have it, the perfect signature shirt to sign off the summer. It’s been lit. Now let’s see what that winter wardrobe has to offer.
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Outfit Details
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Shirt – Sold Out
Jeans – MNML S43 STRETCH DENIM
