The days are getting longer, the mornings brighter, and our moods are significantly chirpier. Summer is here, and there’s something about the season of sunshine and spritzes that appeals to everyone. Plus, it’s not just humours that perk up, our wardrobes do too! We ditch monochrome for bursts of colour, toss tight cotton for liberating linen, and use fun accessories to brighten up the business-casual. If we can’t venture away from the mundane at this time of the year, when can we ever? It’s the season to be daring, playful, and bright. However, when we’re so accustomed to matching greys with blacks, this particular wardrobe transition can be slightly stress-inducing. Is orange and pink a clash or a statement? Is a floppy hat acceptable anywhere other than the Amalfi Coast? Fear not, we have compiled a list of five summer trends that we have our eye on at the moment. They’re blissfully easy to both wear and recreate- and can be sourced all from Monsoon!
1. The Mary-Janes (with a twist)
The Mary-Jane flats first appeared on our radar around March, taking our Pinterest feeds by storm. Initially, we were all for these dainty, flattering shoes. However, one misstep into a murky puddle can quickly crush their appeal. Now that we are entering summer, the likelihood of random downpours has lessened and we predict that the ballet flats will only grow from strength to strength. However, now that they’ve been around for a while, we reckon it’s time for a chic switch-up from the typical blacks and leathers. We love these silver Mary-Jane flats from Monsoon.
Pair them with linen dresses for a cute, French-riviera finish. For days spent in the air-conned office, these flats work well with a flaired trouser and shirt, a simple way to keep it cool and professional while adding a dash of fun summer energy to your outfit.
2. Gold Statement Accessories
During the summer, accessories are the area where many can potentially get carried away. We understand the urge to bedazzle the wrists, neck and ears in bright beads and jewels to celebrate emerging from those long, dark months that preceded. However, we think that this year, we should focus on gold statement accessories rather than an abundance of them. For example, these textured square earrings from Monsoon are the perfect golden-hour piece.
Embellishing enough to catch eyes, yet chic enough to be worn with any outfit, whatever the occasion. Paired with a linen shirt to the office or a floral dress to a summer wedding, these earrings work perfectly to add the finishing touch to an outfit, without stealing the attention from it.
3. Colourful Linen
The airy comfort of linen has solidified its place on every spring/summer catwalk. However this year, we have noticed a change in the classic beige colour palette we’ve seen previously. Instead, 2024’s linen wardrobes are bright, bold, and beautiful. Look at this teal blouse from Monsoon, for example. Designed in an attractive, flattering colour, this blouse can still be paired seamlessly with a long white skirt, loose linen trousers, or your favourite denim shorts.
4. Playful Totes
Carrying our SPF, bikinis, and current reads, the beach bag is an essential for every sandy escape. However, last year we saw these hold-alls being sported both on the Cotswold coasts and the city centres, becoming integrated into summer street-style. This year, we’re expecting the same, but with pops of colour, of course. As seen on this shopper bag from Monsoon, cream crochet is brought to life with vibrant tiles and intricate designs. Stylish for the office, practical for the beach- fill it with both your laptop and towel to sneak out early and catch those final rays.
5. Brown Sunnies
Finally, we have the timeless summer accessory: sunglasses. However, while sunglasses themselves may be timeless, the styles vary from year to year. We’ve seen it all, from the cat-eyes of the 50’s to the 90’s aviator. Today, the iconic chunky, rectangular shape is a fan-favourite, worn on the edge of the nose for a sassy finish, of course. No matter what style you decide on, one thing is for sure- the brown tint is key this year. A less harsh alternative for stark black lenses, a gentle brown tint is flattering on all skin-tones and goes with every outfit. Conveniently merging both trends, Monsoon’s Tortoiseshell rectangular sunglasses are the only pair you’ll need this summer.
From the al fresco dinners to the much-needed vitamin D, we have long awaited the arrival of summer. However, with no scarves and jackets to hide behind, it can be somewhat of a task to put together an outfit that is sufficiently summery, comfortable, and still appropriate for the day’s meetings. Luckily, these five summer trends, all perfected by Monsoon, can help us to achieve exactly that, with minimal effort.
