When the heat rises, fashion turns to light layers and easy silhouettes

The Star

23-06-2025

You may be feeling the heat during these warmer months but don't let it cramp your style.
There are plenty of on-trend looks that will keep you looking fashionable and feeling comfortable.
From breezy fabrics to effortless silhouettes, this season's must-haves are all about staying chic in the sun.
Top fashion houses have already launched their Summer 2025 collections, featuring everything from flowy maxi dresses to relaxed, tailored pieces.
According to Chemena Kamali, creative director of Chloe, this is the perfect time to reconnect with yourself.
'These images capture the longing for summer and the way summer makes you feel,' reads her press statement accompanying the campaign.
The intimate, sun-soaked imagery highlights effortless garments, along with swimwear and statement accessories.
Chloe has also released woven bags – designed as ideal companions for leisurely strolls or quiet weekend getaways.
Miu Miu similarly looks to a pensive mood, focusing on balmy evenings best enjoyed in quiet contemplation.
The promotional visuals are shot by documentary filmmaker Sian Davey – marking her first foray into fashion.
A diverse cast of characters, including Canadian actress Callina Liang and US actress Diana Silvers, is portrayed with a quiet intimacy and emotional depth that feels both revealing and evocative.
As for the clothes, Miu Miu embraces delicate layering, with lightweight knits and vintage-inspired separates as key highlights of the collection.
Woven bags perfectly embody the carefree spirit of the season. Photo: Chloe
Read more: If you're going on a getaway soon, here are a few stylish travel must-haves
Sun-kissed vibes
If the heat does not put you into a state of lethargy, let it fuel your adventures instead – whether you're exploring sun-drenched city streets or heading off on a spontaneous seaside escape.
You will find plenty of styles crafted to keep up with your every move.
Fendi's range includes tank dresses, beach tunics, silk shorts and lots more.
Handmade raffia and denim hats, as well as thong sandals and flatform wedges, complete the offering.
The designs take inspiration from Karl Lagerfeld's Spring/Summer 1978 collection, reimagined for a new generation of fashion lovers.
K-pop star Bang Chan is photographed on the streets of Rome for Fendi's campaign (pictured on the cover), effortlessly blending laid-back summer ease with high- fashion edge in each shot.
Celine, on the other hand, heads to the beach for a little fun. The capsule collection (named Ete, the French word for summer) recalls carefree days of exploring the French Riviera.
There is even a lifestyle line with decorative items, indoor and outdoor furniture, and a thoughtfully curated range of beach accessories.
The main Spring/Summer 2025 Celine lineup is a little dressier though.
It features hand-embroidered silk dresses adorned with sequins, feathers and crystals, paired with pleated boarding school skirts and expertly tailored summer coats crafted from suede and lambskin.
Light layering and loose silhouettes make for a comfortable wear. Photo: Miu Miu The summer in you
For those who can't go on a vacation, let your fashion bring the escape to you – for example, in the form of bold prints and colours that feel like sunshine.
Dolce & Gabbana sent out several models wearing beautiful floral dresses at its Spring/Summer 2025 show.
Despite the heavy stoles, they do bring to mind the charm of Mediterranean summers. Think lush gardens, sun-drenched coastlines, and the effortless glamour that defines a true holiday spirit.
The brand describes its eveningwear for the season as taking on an air of 'exquisite sophistication and delicate brilliance'.
'Sequins cast a radiant glow, while satin glides gracefully over fluid silhouettes. Meanwhile, tulle, crepe and chiffon add a delicate, airy quality, and crystal fringes bring a dynamic movement,' the show notes explain.
Emporio Armani's Spring/Summer 2025 designs explore the connection between urban spirit and the desire to escape from the city,
For the campaign, Chinese artiste Jackson Yee is portrayed in a state of relaxed elegance.
Set amid the interplay of light and shadow cast by flowers and foliage, it evokes a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
Read more: Fashion collections bring back iconic designs, proving nostalgia sells
Just do whatever you want
The hallmark of a great holiday is often the freedom to be spontaneous – a feeling Gucci's summer campaign captures effortlessly.
Shot in the style of casual Polaroid snapshots, the campaign exudes a relaxed, carefree energy.
Photographed by visual artist Jim Goldberg, the series blends candid moments with handwritten reflections, creating a cinematic narrative.
Featuring celebrities Daisy Edgar-Jones, Aliocha Schneider and David Jonsson, the story unfolds across sun-drenched Mediterranean coastlines, secluded garden villas, and tranquil shorelines.
Prada's campaign, on the other hand, includes Kendall Jenner, Hunter Schafer and Troye Sivan.
Each of them is seen posing on a brightly-coloured gozzo, an archetypal Italian wooden boat, as if imagined on the cusp of adventure.
Expressive of the carefree joy of summer, their clothes have a sense of freedom as well, combining references to city and sea, casual and formal, like a great escape from everyday life into the beyond.