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19 Jul

Battle of the Summer Style Staples (SSENSE)

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 to decide.

THE BUCKET HAT

Featured In This Image: Prada hat.

In archival footage from the 1970s, a young American with a trim moustache and gold-rimmed shades unloads a pump shotgun. He then inserts a pipe into the shotgun’s chamber and blows a dense gray plume of marijuana smoke through the length of the barrel and into the pursed lips of at least five members of his squad. Crucially, he’s wearing a bucket hat while performing this act of service. His name is Vito and—get this—he was a photographer before being drafted into the army and shipping off to Vietnam. (You could make an IG meme about dating this type of guy to much acclaim and many likes.) Among those who know, the clip is one of the most beloved instances of the bucket hat being cool. For the last few years the bucket hat has been especially popular as a luxury item. The classic black Prada iteration doesn’t exactly scream summer fun though; thankfully many options today give the bucket hat the appropriate levity and lightness. See, for example, Prada’s new baby blue raffia iteration, or Burberry’s pink and red check joint. You can go crochet with this black and yellow bucket from Danish brand Ganni, or keep it more structured with this trippy sunset-inspired Dries Van Noten option. Think of Vito tending to his flock.

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FISHERMAN SANDALS

Featured In This Image: LEMAIRE sandals.

Featured In This Image: The Row sandals.

Some are claiming that the new shoe trend is, in fact, “no shoe at all,” but raw-dogging pavement just isn’t feasible for most of us. We’re still down with keeping a low profile, though, and as fashion’s obsession with chunky footwear wanes, flats are back in favor. As the saying goes, “Those who can’t dance, fish”—so if you’re not a fan of ballet flats, look to the fisherman sandal. It’s adjacent to being barefoot—check out the peekaboo details and breathability to match. Supple leather straps lend themselves to the foot-hugging feel of a quality flat, and hold the promise of patina—to be determined by the wearer, of course. This pair by The Row or these ones from LEMAIRE are trend-immune options. Marni and Thom Browne have strong contenders, too. Until recently we were most accustomed to seeing them on toddlers and dads, but if the chunky dad shoe trend taught us anything, this is actually the prime influencer demographic.

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CLOUT SUNSCREEN

Featured In This Image: COOLA sunscreen.

There can be some blurring of lines between millennials and Zoomers, but if there’s one thing millennials lack that Zoomers have, it’s the foresight to wear sunscreen. Trading in tanning beds for Supergoop!, clout sunscreen is this summer’s hottest accessory across all ages. Opt for some regular old-fashioned zinc if you’re into the pasty ghost look, indulge in cutting-edge Korean UVA and UVB filters, or cool off with California-founded brand COOLA’s cucumber mineral sunscreen. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US, so it’s worth getting on the SPF bandwagon—our lives depend on it.

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TOWELS

Featured In This Image: Carne Bollente towel.

Featured In This Image: HAY towel.

Everybody knows the feeling of taking an impromptu dip and having to borrow someone else’s soggy towel because you don’t have one of your own. It’s only cute the first time. A good, go-anywhere beach towel is the unsung hero of any summer look. If you want to come prepared this time around, why squander a perfectly good accessorizing opportunity by carrying a towel that doesn’t suit your style? A stripe by way of Tekla or HAY goes with just about anything. A towel is also a fun place to inject your sense of humor. If that interests you, try a cheeky option from Parisian label Carne Bollente. If you’re all about the luxe life, Versace has your back. On the contrary, Bottega has the perfect organic-inspired option to inspire the psychedelic summer of your dreams. Whatever vibe you’re going for, don’t overlook the comfort of a plush beach towel.

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SUNGLASSES

Model wears Balenciaga sunglasses.

This summer is all about going clear—but not like L. Ron Hubbard. Totally transparent garments are having a moment and eyewear is in on the action. The SSENSE exclusive Transparent Shield Sunglasses by Balenciaga are directional yet barely there. Their ergonomic shape makes them the smart choice if you’re going for a sporty look, while their chameleonic, smoke-gray lenses adapt to your mood and emphasize your every glance. These are not for hiding behind, they are for boldly bouncing from one sweaty summer fete to the next.

 

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Originally posted from “SSENSE” by SSENSE Editor

Cometrend Staff
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