Nine low-effort ways to wear soft stripes this summer

On those bare minimum days, consider a key piece

Thu, 22 May, 2025 - 02:00

Annmarie O’Connor

Sandy toes, seaside linen, and summer stripes. As style vibes go, this one’s a classic. Well, sort of.

There’s a definite shift in mood and tone. Nautical lines feel cold. Deck chair tropes look overplayed. Shades of caramel, sage and light pink subjugate the bold and bright.

In fact, anything that feels sharp or high-def warrants a filter. It’s as if the fashion gods decided it’s a soft life for stripes this season which must be why pyjama co-ords continue their trend domination.

So, what can we expect? In aesthetic terms, comfort rules both fabric and silhouette. Roomy shirting is rivalled by puffy sleeve tops and quilted gilets – cushy and relaxed with laissez-faire string ties. For maximum ease, layer over a boxy tee and wear with an A-line or puff ball midi skirt with an elasticated waist, of course.

Should tailoring be your north star, look to languid materials like satin in an unassuming palette (think Stine Goya’s brown and sky blue or promote your matching set to something short and sweet as seen at Alberta Ferretti.

Feeling playful? Pair mismatched stripes like diagonal with vertical styles, ensuring there’s a colour throughline to keep you looking put together. Add off-duty accents like a slouchy cardigan, clogs or oversized suede bag.

Just be sure to choose no more than two of these, so as not to confuse soft with sloppy.

On those bare minimum days, consider a key piece like a striped polo or easy bandeau top for visual interest. Leave the rest to serendipity. Soft doesn’t do effort, after all.

Alberta Ferretti, Runway during Milan Fashion Week

A model walks the runway at the Alberta Ferretti fashion show during the Milan Womenswear Spring/Summer 2025. Picture: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

A model walks the runway at the Alberta Ferretti fashion show during the Milan Womenswear Spring/Summer 2025 on September 17, 2024, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

Striped gilet