From swimwear to sandals, the RUSSH editors are thinking a lot about their summer uniforms. What are the brands that form the foundation of our wardrobes, and what pieces are we adding to our carts? For a rundown of summer fashion brands we're eyeing off this season, keep scrolling.
Mia Steiber
Digital Strategy Director
Call me a cliche but I live in linen in the summer months, so my go-to summer brands all happen to be purveyors of quality linen. Posse is one of my top picks. The styles are breezy but tailored enough that you don’t feel like you’re wearing a tent. I just recently bought two sets of their linen shorts for my summer holiday. I also have their Alice crop in five colours.
Of course, Venroy is also one of my favourites. The brand’s matching knitted sets are 100% linen, and they’re great investment pieces because of just how much wear you get from them. I bought a taupe set for my trip to Spain this year but the black set is on my wishlist too.
Finally, my favourite place to shop for linen pants – Faithfull the Brand. The particular cut of their pants is ultra-flattering, so they’re very easy to wear with just about anything. The linen pieces also often come as matching sets – and I love a matching set.
Olivia Repaci
Creative Studio and Campaigns Manager
Summer heat and long days mean I finally have the energy and time to live my best life, enjoy all my hobbies and wear cute outfits.
Afends is shaping up to be a favourite of mine for the summer staples that I wear pretty much every day – with the most comfy shorts and t-shirts to wear from brunch to the skate park to arvo drinks. They even have cute little dresses perfect for beach cover ups or a sunset dinner.
Manifesting that this will be the summer that I become an official Ganni girl, I’ve been eyeing off their mini dresses for ages and this one is calling my name! As well as sunglasses in a blue my younger self would die for. I want just some of their effortless Copenhagen style to rub off on me.
In the spirit of a high energy summer, I also want to elevate my activewear. I’m trying to toss up between some staple knit activewear from Nagnata or lean into the ballerina trend with a Jeanne The Label wrap top.
Cassandra Dimitroff
Production Editor
This summer my plan is to be wearing outfits that as closely resemble pyjamas as I can get away with, so I’m pretty much spending my time perusing the websites of brands like Deiji Studios and Silk Laundry for anything loose and comfy that still counts as wearable outside of the house.
I’m loving APC for their leather accessories at the moment (potentially eyeing off one of their Virginie totes as a new work bag), and of course, who can go past a fun swimwear moment from a brand like Strawberry Milk Mob. For everyday wear, Jac + Jack soft cotton tees and lightweight knits are at the very top of my list, and I’m also weighing up purchasing a pair of Mary-Jane style loafers from Hereu.
Alys Hale
Music Editor
As someone who wears almost exclusively all black, all of the time, with a healthy injection of leather, summer is the rare season where you will possibly spot me wearing something white. It will almost always be a below the knee slip dress, this year I treated myself to a Dion Lee number with tough hardware. I love the balance between formality and sexuality in Lee’s designs and one can cause a lot of trouble surreptitiously when wearing white…
It is no secret that I am Ann’s biggest fan and I would love to wear this Demeulemeester shirt with a wide leg trouser as a summer uniform. I would love to restock my wardrobe with St Agni, I love their take on the white ribbed tank, (an item of infinite allure) and their tailoring intrigues me. I’d add some magic and eroticism with a custom oyster necklace from the Serpent and the Swan, everything is handmade, ethically sourced and made sustainability which is perfect.We all need a perfect pair of sunglasses for summer and Celine has never once let us down, I love these cat-eye glasses that seem timeless whilst simultaneously not looking ‘retro.’ I just pray I do not accidentally sit on them.
Emily Algar
Beauty Editor
My sense of style is pretty neutral, classic… borderline masculine. Summer is the only time I wear cuts and colours that are decidedly more feminine. It’s fun!
One brand I love is Maison Essentiele. While it started as sleepwear, the crisp cotton sets and lace slips are perfect for the warmer months. I want the Resort Shirt to throw on over swimmers, and the Talisa Midi for dinners and drinks (nothing is easier or chicer than a black slip). I'd even wear it with sneakers and a blazer to work.
Another go-to for me is Paris Georgia. They do the best staples with a point of difference, and have nailed the art of event dressing (it's wedding season after all). I also find they do great colour palettes – they don't subscribe to obvious trends but there's always a fresh, modern feel to it. I just bought this breezy white dress on sale, and desperately want to add the Kaya Dress in blue to my wardrobe.
For lazy summer days at home or by the beach I can't go past Matteau. The cuts are effortless while the fabrics are weightless. It has a distinctly Australian ease about it and I find myself reaching for pieces in my wardrobe often. I didn't buy the fisherman pants last season and it pains me to this day. I hope to fill the gap this summer with the Utility Trouser in Chalk. Perfect with a black bikini top and leather sandal.
Samantha Corry
Assistant to Editor in Chief
In summer I channel my inner Matilda Djerf, wearing linen and pastel colours. No surprise when I say I get my linen shirts from Djerf Avenue, easy breezy and they have such beautiful colours. For more basic pieces like jeans, white t-shirts and socks, Uniqlo is always the best place, the quality is amazing and range is pretty big. For special little pieces like cami tops and flowing dresses I look on Depop for small vintage businesses that sell the cutest pieces. Otherwise I pop into Incu. Incu always has some of the cutest pieces from a variety of brands like Ganni, I'm constantly there.
In an ideal world I would be purchasing my dresses and tops from Bode, since they began designing womenswear, but their men's shirts are beautifully designed with a vintage feel and nostalgia. I’m in awe of the creator Emily Adams, her journey to becoming a designer and creating Bode is so interesting, I just think she's a genius. If I were to buy another pair of sunglasses it would be these green Bottega Veneta ones, keeping it fun with the accessories but neutral with the clothes.
Hannah Cooper
Executive Fashion Director
Summer this year I’m keeping it simple but fun. Y/Project are one of my go to brands, especially for summer as I love a black or white tee with basically anything and they do the best tees such as this one.
Summer is party and events season in the fashion world and I usually get a new dress or two for the season. I’m loving Nicklas Skovgaard and Jordan Dalah for some extra special pieces.
Sunglasses are also a must, I have sensitive eyes and love me some Loewe eyewear always. Also super excited that Gentle Monster have opened a store in Sydney, I have my eyes on these guys.
Megan Nolan
Marketing Manager
I’m all about comfort this summer which means oversized tees, party shirts worn with nothing underneath, and the perfect rotation of lightweight summer jeans.
Starting with the latter, I’m totally crushing on Incu’s range of jeans. They always feel a little unexpected, whether it’s the cut, the pattern or the colour. This Dries van Noten pair in particular is perfect if you’re wanting a light-coloured pair that doesn’t feel basic. Despite being on the other side of the world and in a different season, The Frankie Shop also has really cool pants like these slouchy asymmetrical jeans or these really cool printed trousers. My perfect summer office-vibe.
For tees, I’m a huge fan of Acne Studios, particularly the men’s ones. They’re good quality which means the fit is really flattering, and they don’t stretch out of shape after one season so you don’t have to keep rebuying.
The last few seasons I’ve also been a huge fan of Camilla and Marc for that summery Australian vibe. SIR and Bec & Bridge are also favourites for event dressing. These sunglasses will definitely be making their way onto my Christmas wish list.
Jasmine Pirovic
Arts & Culture Editor
I need to do a big wardrobe clean out, I've been wearing the same singlet tops over and over and not touching the rest of my clothes. Off to Reunion and SWOP I go. What I know is, for summer, I will be keeping things simple (blame it on the budget). More of the aforementioned tanks, which are the Esme style from Flore Flore – they're the perfect vintage cut, which I haven't seen anyone else get right. I also like that they're made in Portugal. The Jill V-neck T-shirt from that brand is also in my cart. These Capri pants from A. Roege Hove are cute. I am always in midi skirts (have been for the last five years) and the hemline will only get shorter for summer. I envision pointelle cotton, metallic accessories and hopefully something comes of my saved searches for vintage Plein Sud (classic).
What else? I really love the silver necklaces from Corali, the Lago and Embleme styles are playing on my mind. So are the range of earrings from Santangelo.
