SUMMER STYLE 2024
STYLE
Photography by Anne Piqué, featuring Jonas Mason from Premium Models. Video by Patricia Castellanos Buren. Styling & text by James V. Thomas, assisted by Nishit Soni. Grooming by Stéphane Bodin.
Jonas seen here wearing a shantung silk jacket & trousers from Cotton Society, a white shirt from Atul Paris, and a silk bandana from Charvet.
"Elegance is elimination."
Cristobal Balenciaga
Soft tailoring seems to be the prevailing trend this season and into the upcoming Autumn & Winter season – and who are we to protest? This style resonates as effortlessly wearable, comfortable, and stylish all at once. We don't have to resort to wearing a full sweatsuit to achieve this look, but finding a balance between being well-dressed and staying cool in the summer can be a challenge. Collaborating with one of our new favorite photographers in Paris, Anne Piqué, we curated a series of looks from local tailors in Paris, along with some fashionable brands we adore.
Shantung Silk
Clearly, one of the most sought-after pieces this summer is a slubbed fabric, and this silk jacket from Cotton Society is perfect for that. A faded grey yet warm ivory tone is not only a glamorous statement but also wonderful for the heat. Silk, being fabulous for its breathable qualities, is paired with a poplin white cotton shirt from Atul Paris, black "cool wool" trousers from Cotton Society, sunglasses from Bottega Veneta, and a chiffon pocket square worn as a scarf from Charvet.
Black linen silk melange
Wearing a superb linen and slub silk melange fabric, this double-breasted suit and trousers come from one of our favorite Paris-based tailors, Cotton Society. The buttons are covered in the same fabric, and there is a large lapel. To add a touch of summer ambiance, a silk scarf from Charvet is worn around the neck and down into the plunging neck line. The glasses are from the incredibly unique French brand with a history dating back to the 18th century, L'Ingénieur Chevallier.
Volumes of Poplin
Prada has introduced us to the poplin coat you never knew you needed. Its generous volume and coverage provide a barrier against the sun or rain, while allowing airflow around the body. Paired here with cool-wool trousers from Berteil and our favorite camel brown loafers from Carmina, the ensemble is contemporary yet refined, with the final touch being a pair of Dunhill reading glasses.
Black & White
Enduring a day in the hot sun requires tact, and dressing in all white is an excellent strategy. Reflecting sunlight is key to staying cool. However, an all-white outfit can be a bit monotonous, so touches of black are always welcome. A white cotton shirt can make a lovely, classic, and elegant statement, with the collar and cuff details being particularly important—we are especially fond of this shirt from the new Paris-based brand Atul, and its oversized collar. Also featured here are the casual yet effective almost-white chinos from Cotton Society, complemented by the black accents of a Prada nylon backpack and Carmina horsebit loafers.
Preppy Pink Stripes
Shirts are essential to the summer wardrobe, yet styling them in an appealing and distinctive manner can be challenging. Sometimes, a simple accessory like a Charvet silk pocket square worn as a bandana can elevate a shirt and add a touch of flair to your outfit. Here, we coordinated the color with this wonderfully chosen pink and white striped shirt from Cotton Society, paired with almost-white chinos from the same brand, and finished with cordovan driving loafers from Carmina.
Come Rain or Come Shine
The simple beauty of a macintosh raincoat is exemplified by Berteil's collection, featuring an array of colors, including this vibrant green - we love the tartan pattern underfabric to the collar. White trousers with a stripe detail down the leg from Givenchy are complemented by a pair of horsebit loafers from Carmina.
Contrast Collar & Cuffs
Another effortlessly impactful way to elevate a shirt is with contrasting collars and cuffs, often referred to as the banker shirt. Pictured here is a banker shirt from Atul Paris, paired with trousers from Berteil and complemented by horsebit loafers from Carmina. Adding a touch of sophistication, the ensemble is finished with a mocha brown silk Charvet bandana worn around the neck.
Chilled Evenings
On cooler evenings, a light jacket is essential, such as this elegant piece from Celine. It is paired here with a refined shirt from Atul, trousers from Berteil, and a Charvet silk pocket square stylishly worn around the neck.
Out of the Office
For a casual yet polished look, we favor this Prada vest with numerous pockets, paired with a simple shirt and jeans from Cotton Society. The driving loafers from Carmina add a hint of "wilderness," evoking an air of adventure and leisure. The optional white woven belt from Charvet brings a preppy New England touch.
The Hunting Jacket
Another way to add a distinctive touch to your summer look is by reimagining traditional pieces in fresh, unexpected ways. Here, we’ve repurposed a classic hunting vest from Berteil as a practical alternative to a jacket. The understated design, featuring brown leather lining, lends a touch of rugged sophistication to an otherwise urbane ensemble.
CREDITS
Written by James V. Thomas, clothing & accessories from Berteil, Bottega Veneta, Celine, Cotton Society, Carmina, Dunhill, Givenchy, Prada, Atul Paris, & Charvet.
Sky Blue
Est. 2019