Summer fashion forecast: Segue from iso-style to in-style
When the pandemic hit, we pivoted from tailored pants to trackies and swapped stilettos for socks. Now that life is starting to return to normal, it’s time to take the lounge out of loungewear and put fashion back on the agenda.
Summer on the Coast is all sun, sand, surf and sundowners, and offers the perfect segue from iso-style to in vogue summer threads.
According to Central Coast designer Weave Dibden Neck, who has spent the past few months in Avoca preparing the perfect collection for post-pandemic life, the buzzwords this summer are natural, comfortable and multifunctional.
Her latest ‘lifestyle’ collection for her Ukiyo-Co brand features breathable cotton and bamboo fabrics in loose-fitting yet elegant styles which easily transition from beach to bar and resort to restaurant.
In line with the back-to-basics ethos and slower pace of 2020, there are chic dresses that can be dressed up or down, white linen pants for every occasion, cute balconettes and crops, a wasabi-coloured bamboo bodysuit, casual cotton jackets, flowy skirts, beautiful Indian block-printed shirts and a fabulous fluoro pinstripe white cotton suit, which is the must-have item for the modern woman this season.
The summer collection also includes yoga-swim pieces, taking active wear to a new multifunctional level and combining two of the key ingredients of a balanced coastal lifestyle: yoga followed by a beach swim.
The Vita Recycled lycra pieces, which come in shorts, briefs, crop tops and bodysuits, and were modelled by “it” girl Madeline Holtznagel, pair perfectly with soft Ukiyo-Co tracksuits, pants, shorts, kimonos and dresses.
The new collection, which was shot at stunning locations around the Coast, including Avoca lake, a Copacabana beach house and a tropical Killcare garden, can be found in local stores (stockist list available on website) and the online store at ukiyo-co.com.
Yasmin Starkey, who owns one of the Coast’s most beautiful boutiques, Frankie Lifestyle, says comfort is key after 2020 kept most of us isolated from the world.
She has stocked her Norah Head boutique with relaxed and casual outfit styles such as Assembly Label basics and the must-have shoes of summer – chunky sandals, which are replacing white sneakers as the shoes du jour under flowy dresses and skirts.
After matching tracksuits proved popular during the pandemic, Yasmin says sets are ‘in’ this season, with plenty of outfit options in light linens.
As restrictions ease and we frock up for summer fun, ‘tis the season for day dresses and Yasmin says anything with puff-sleeves is on-trend. Shop online at frankielifestyle.com.au or head in store for the latest in summer fashion trends.
