Summer Suiting
From skirt suits to pastel tones, We pick out the best ways to wear tailoring this season.
Few things are as classic as a suit – and tailoring has come a long way.
Once the reserve of menswear (with women wearing the odd skirt set), it slowly made itself into womenswear on the red carpet, and is now firmly part of our everyday fashion vocabulary.
However, suits can still be a bit daunting – you might think they’re only for formal events, or feel a bit heavy for summer, for instance.
But one look online and in-store will tell you summer suiting is having a massive moment right now. It’s also an easy way to express your personality, while looking chic and put-together with relatively little effort
This is how to wear warm weather tailoring this year…
In pastels…
Pastels for spring might not be ground-breaking, but there’s a reason it’s a classic look. Pale pinks, baby blues and spearmint greens are all perfect for standing out from the crowd in your tailoring.
This year, the trend is overwhelmingly for slouchy, relaxed fits. These styles are incredibly versatile – wear with a crisp shirt for office days, a plain white T-shirt and trainers for the weekend, or you could even dress up with heels and silk vests, or corset-style tops underneath for nights out or summer weddings.
1 M&Co Pink Co-Ord Jacket €44; Pink Co-Ord Trousers €35, visit next.ie
2 Myleene Klass Double Breasted Blazer Jacket €78; Super Wide Leg Trousers €53, visit next.ie
In skirt suits…
Channel your inner Cher from Clueless or Fran Drescher from The Nanny in this year’s retro take on suiting. While the last few seasons have been all about suits worn with matching shorts, skirts are back in a big way.
Either go for pastel colours, lean into the retro vibe with checked prints, or go all-out in bright colours for a really kicky look.
River Island Pink Sequin Fringe Cropped Blazer €106; Pink Sequin Fringe Mini Skirt €65, visit riverisland.ie
Zara Textured Blazer with Button Details in Sky Blue €69.95; Short Textured Skirt in Sky Blue, €39.95, visit zara.com
In interesting materials…
Linen blend suits are perfect for summer weather, but what if you want to give your tailoring a bit of a twist this year?
We’re seeing a growing trend for choosing classic silhouettes in interesting materials – and it would seem like faux leather snakeskin is having a particular moment.
5 M&S Collection Linen Blend Slim Single Breasted Blazer €82; Linen Blend Wide Leg Trousers €55, visit marksandspencer.ie
6 Karen Millen Tweed Tailored Button Blazer €179; Tweed Mini Skirt €90, visit karenmillen.com
7 STAR by Julien Macdonald Snake Jacquard Fitted Blazer €91; STAR by Julien Macdonald Snake Jacquard Tapered Trousers €52, visit kaleidoscope.co.uk
In separates…
Wearing a full suit can sometimes feel a bit formal, but if you separate the two pieces you’re basically doubling up on potential outfits in your wardrobe.
Tailoring can add a bit of effortless cool to any look – so either try tapered trousers with a plain T-shirt and a light knit over the top, or wear the blazer on its own with jeans. It’s a chance to play around with the items you’ve already got in your closet, creating whole new looks to suit how you’re feeling on a given day.
8 COS Regular-Fit Tapered Trousers €99, visit cosstores.com
9 Mango Linen Suit Trousers €39.99, visit shop.mango.com