Collage by Ashley Peña We are all aware of the importance of hydration, but fashion has been drowning in its own aquaphilia as of late. Peruse through SSENSE or Farfetch and you'll see the sea everywhere: Sea-shell bras from Blumarine and Dsquared2, fishing-net-inspired knits from Marni, starfish earrings from David Koma and Loewe’s conch dress —marine motifs are no longer limited to the confines of the “vacation shop.” Even sweatpants have tails nowadays. If you’re thinking, "The ocean? For summer? Groundbreaking," I wouldn’t blame you, but we’ll be riding this wave well into the fall. On the fall/winter 2023 runways, Givenchy gave us a fish print with windswept chiffon and Balmain served up a crocheted, shell-inspired top. Coral somehow made it onto outerwear at Bottega Veneta, and gowns with scale-like iridescence shined at...

What to wear to Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour, her first solo tour in seven years and first public performance since releasing an album last July? Silver, basically. Platinum. Iridescence. Chrome. Diamonds. Foil, if you must. You can’t go wrong with the now-famous disco cowboy hat Beyoncé pairs with a Nusi Quero bodysuit and silver-fringed chaps in the image that would become the tour’s sole promotion until opening night. All signs pointed to silver: She donned a silver Gucci dress at the 2023 Grammys; silver-paneled Gareth Pugh and silver Amina Muaddi heels for the Roc Nation Brunch. At her own gold-themed Oscars after-party, the host wore gold then changed into silver. Onstage, even the wind machines wear it. Silver, unlike gold, feels...

There’s no doubt that vintage Chanel is having a major moment this year. First, there was the Met Gala, where a whole host of stars opted for pieces from the French fashion house’s archives in honour of the late Karl Lagerfeld. Now, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie has brought more treasures from the Chanel vaults onto the big screen. Of course, fashion is central to the summer blockbuster, which sees Margot Robbie take on the role of the famous Mattel doll. And given the actor’s long-time relationship with Chanel, it makes sense that the brand would have a starring role. “If Margot wears anything that we didn’t make, it’s pretty much [all] Chanel,” costume designer Jacqueline Durran previously told Vogue. “They’re very interested in supporting cinema and in helping us find looks...

Buying boots in August will always feel a little bit strange, when you are still living in your holiday sandals and in denial about the looming change in weather. However, so many winter boots are actually the perfect partner for high summer dresses, and combining the two is an easy way to start gently shifting your looks towards a more autumnal mood. The likes of Emily Ratajkowski, Zoe Saldana and Kaia Gerber have all been wearing boots with slip dresses and minis this month, providing plenty of inspiration for how we can dress for the notoriously changeable British weather in the coming months. Five boot trends in particular will work with almost all of your summer dresses, including cowboy boots (the festival boot of choice...

What is love? Is it moving in together at age 18, despite skepticism from some friends and family? Perhaps it’s the marriage that lasts 30-plus years. Or, actually, it’s when the third marriage, struck up well into middle age, sticks this time. Love is the connection between two air signs. It’s the straightforward pleasure of sharing dinner and a movie. Love is the first joke cracked after a fight. The first kiss after a moment of conflict. Love is transformation. We took the launch of SSENSE Bridal as a chance to speak about love (rather than forever hold our peace). In particular, we enlisted five real couples to investigate the meaning of marriage itself—to talk about the future of an old fashioned idea...

Summer comes once a year but its regularity does little to diminish the accompanying anxiety about how to dress. Sweat. Pit stains. Swimwear. Exposed body parts. There are a lot of factors to consider when contending with the vulnerability of summer outfits. Salute to the goths who refuse to bend but for the rest of us choices must be made. With the hottest days of summer 2023 looming, these garments start conversations and draw divisive opinions. Are bucket hats only appropriate for fishing trips, or are they actually sick? Are you willing to bare foot flesh in fisherman sandals, or do you prefer them with socks? Which sunscreen suggests you’re truly thoughtful about protecting your body and the environment? It’s time...