This year’s reduced-capacity Wimbledon event is almost over, and while we are somewhat yawning to discover whether Federer will play Djokovic in the Men’s final this Sunday, I’ve been enjoying seeing celebrities don their finery for a day out at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
Among the famous faces at this year’s event…
Kate Middleton opted for a polka dot midi skirt by Alessandra Rich, teamed with a white t-shirt, matching navy blazer and white pumps.
I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo nailed Wimbledon whites in a cream tailored boucle and chiffon midi dress from London label Self-Portrait (£370) as did Ashley Roberts, who wore a diamante-trim white satin Christopher Kane ‘Cupcake’ mini dress (£1,995) over a white shirt and paired with white strappy heels.
At the more colourful end of the spectrum was Romeo Beckham’s girlfriend Mia Regan, who looked candy-cute in a sheer fuchsia shirt and wide-leg apple green trousers, both from Victoria Beckham’s collection.
Singer Raye opted for a more out-there ensemble of a pink paisley print micro-miniskirt suit.
The gents also brought their sartorial A-game, with Tinie Tempah’s Coliseum-print cardi and Ovie Soko’s double-breasted navy suit and silk neckerchief among the highlights.
Holly Willoughy dressed flawlessly for the occasion in a REFORMATION dress, some Mango espadrilles and a classic Mulberry bag.
Bridgerton actress Phoebe Dynevor, attended Wimbledon wearing a khaki cut-out number by Self -Portrait with new boyfriend Pete Davidson from Saturday Night Live.
Jack Whitehall and girlfriend Roxy Horner arrived with Jack opting for a chestnut-coloured blazer and ivory trousers, whereas Roxy wears a neutral printed dress with oversized sunglasses.
Anne-Marie went for a quirky cream trouser suit, featuring printed details on the legs, paired with a white collared shirt.
Elle Eyre looked a million bucks in this lime green situation with a blue Antonia bag by London label Shripms (£475). Also, can we take a moment to note the tennis skirt detail and Stan Smiths – a nod to the occasion?
Rochelle Humes went for an incredible pearl-toned trouser suit, layered over a semi-sheer lace blouse.
My personal winner this year is:
Sienna Miller
And of course, the fact that Wimbledon happened at all, under current circumstances.
I’m super happy as the Balearics are now on the Green List, meaning I’m OUTTA here. It’s time to start packing for the Med and I’m starting with this summer’s must-have GINGHAM DRESSES.
Cast your minds back to the heady days of summer 2019… the champagne flowed, nightclubs thronged, and at any barbeque or work drinks (remember those?) you breezed into maskless there was a 98.5 per cent chance you would find at least two women wearing the exact same dress.
I am of course talking about that £40 black and white polka dot Zara maxi that went so explosively viral it even got its own Instagram account.
Fast-forward two years and the Champagne’s been switched for post-EU sparkling wine, the barbeque guestlist dwindled and office parties are as rare as Matt Hancock now , but it would seem our appetite for a giant sack dress is undeterred. The 2021 version of thatZara dress? A £59.99 yellow gingham cotton maxi from Mango.
Puff-sleeved, v-neck and as capacious and easy-to-wear as its Zara cousin, the dress has already been spotted EVERYWHERE.
In fact, it has completely sold out (there are just a few left across the whole of Europe apparently) and, unfortunately for those herd dressing hopefuls, will not be restocked. I am going to Mallorca on July 16th and my first stop before I even reach my house is a stop at Porto Pi shopping centre to grab a couple of Gingham numbers at Mango and Zara – if I’m lucky.
There are several other equally lovely ways to dress like your favourite picnic blanket. H&M has a sweet smock-front spaghetti strap gingham maxi that comes in baby pink and buttercup yellow (£39.99 H&M.com) and ASOS, which has seen sales of its own-brand gingham maxi dresses increase 300 per cent year on year, has a range of 60-odd gingham dresses, among them an excellent monochrome v-neck maxi (£35, asos.com) and a tiered red number (£32, asos.com) that’s flying off the shelves. I want this ASAP.
So, what is it we love so much about a giant gingham maxi? Well, what’s not to love? It’s timeless, it suits all shapes and sizes, it’s put-together without being dressy and in a summer of stalled freedom days and restricted dancefloors, a hit of sunshine yellow gingham is just the sort cheerfulness we all need.
Anyway… Enjoy this week’s instalment of Zips It Up, containing masses of Summer Sports Fashion.
Iconic 90s cartoon Space Jam is set to be back on our screens this summer, and to mark the occasion ASOS DESIGN has launched a collection inspired by the classic visuals of the film.
The collection serves up a heavy dose of 90s nostalgia with a range of styles available, which include dungarees, varsity jackets and camp-collar shirts. These all come in bright hues which are central to the capsule, with pink, yellow and lime green.
The film, which originally released in 1996, gained legendary status for its use of Looney Tune cartoon characters such as Tweety Pie alongside basketball legend Michael Jordan. For 2021, the film sees LeBron James, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, trapped with his son by the Looney Tunes Gang.
The ASOS DESIGN X SPACE JAM Capsule Collection launches on the retailer’s website on July 5.
Beyoncé’s Ivy Park Plunges Into Swimwear Fashion
The uber-popular IVY PARK collection, created by Beyoncé in 2016 and a partnership with ADIDAS since 2020, is dropping a Flex Park swimwear capsule this July.
Flex Park, which marks the first foray into swimwear for the Adidas x Ivy Park collaboration, will boast a bright neon colour palette — solar orange and screaming orange — with contrasting white stripes and accents, including the Ivy Park monogram. Key items include one- and two-piece bathing suits and beach-ready cover-ups for women as well as a men’s matching shirt and shirt set, a slide, a unisex bucket hat and tote bag. Other accessories include a towel and water bottle.
Sizing is inclusive, ranging from XS to 4X and the collection is designed to be mixed and matched. Prices range from £30 to £100. The Flex Park capsule will launch July 22 on the Adidas web site and will be available in select retail stores globally on July 23rd.
Tennis Fashion: TikTok sparks fashion trend for Centre Court retro-cool
Tennis style is usually all about heritage, tradition and perhaps a little stuffiness. But thanks to TikTok, a younger generation are finding credibility and cool in its fashion, regardless of whether they have ever picked up a racket or plan to watch Wimbledon at all.
The trend has been popular on the social media network for months, teaming traditional tennis skirts with Nirvana hoodies and crop tops. This abundance of TikTokers wearing court-friendly outfits – not just skirts but also SKORTS (my 16 year old daughter has one) and polo shirts.
A multitude of brands are producing tennis-inspired clothing, such as silk shorts and track tops. On the shopping platform Lyst, demand for tennis skirts has tripled this month compared with a year ago, searches for silk polo shirts have increased 21% and searches for vintage “tennis club” logo sweatshirts have gone up 12%.
Euros 2020: who is the best-dressed manager?
Some football managers have evolved into style icons, occasionally outshining the players. The boss class used to be divided into two types; the tracksuit tribe and the suited Arsène Wengers.
Now there is thrilling variety — there are pop star style haircuts, and those waistcoats have been replaced by shackets (that’s shirt jackets), and surprised (older) fans are asking if it is okay to fancy the managers.
There has even been research into the effect of manager attire. A study found that, historically, tracksuit-wearing managers have narrowly beaten those teams run by men in suits. So what does that mean in a game where the tiniest tweaks can make the world of difference? Here is how the managers measure up…
Roberto Mancini
Italy
Trademark: The blazer of glory, by Armani
Vibe: Italy are the slickest team in the tournament so far and, if you want to know why, look no further than the style of their touchline team. They are dressed like top professionals, in matching powder blue-grey Armani suit jackets. It gives the impression of a unified front, paying the Euros the respect it deserves. Roberto Mancini, the perma-tanned manager, is an impressive figurehead, with a long bob (it has always been like this, it is not a pandemic grown-out hair look) and an expressive style — he has presence, authority and looks like he knows his way around a wine list.
When the game starts, Mancini always takes his blazer off so he can gesticulate freely, sleeves rolled up to show off his Richard Mille watch (price on application). It features 18 karat white gold and he has said that it shows that he knows time is a strategic resource that must be managed.
Joachim Löw
Germany
Trademark: His Beatles-style bowl cut. There are rumours in Germany that it is a wig but Low denies this.
Vibe: The German manager’s style is deceptively simple. You may think he is just wearing T-shirts and therefore not making an effort but these are immaculately pressed, beautifully cut T-shirts that make him look like he is a model for a Scandinavian fashion brand, complete with white Stan Smith trainers. The whole look is fuss-free. If Jogi, as he is known, does get cold he goes for a cardigan or a jumper nonchalantly slung around his neck. It makes him look like a cool head boy, customising his school uniform. Once he wore a suit but with no tie — but he is too rock and roll for that.
Roberto Martínez
Belgium
Trademark: Accidentally on trend eyebrows
Vibe: From Spain, via a stint helping Wigan avoid relegation, Roberto Martínez looks like the caricature of how you might draw a typical football manager. Yes, he has made the effort to wear a suit and tie but it is not a style statement. There is nothing flashy about his plain suit, white shirt and tie ensemble. His head is always neatly shaved and he exudes professional rigour. A flash of colour comes from a friendship bracelet in the colours of the Belgian flag — and his eyebrows give his face plenty of personality.
Luis Enrique
Spain
Trademark: A fashion trainer
Vibe: Fashion-wise, this silver fox has a very “off-duty boss on the golf course” vibe, in his Ralph Lauren polo shirts and chinos. Still, there are flashes of adventure from a man whose motto is “be braver than ever” and who runs the Marathon des Sables — 155-mile race over six days in the Saharan desert — for fun. For example, the chinos are cropped — when it comes to football coach attire, a flash of ankle is as extraordinary as it would have been in Victorian England — and he has a good line in the sort of fashion trainers that are more often seen catwalk-side than pitch-side: chunky-soled Nikes; simple monochrome adidas lace-ups; a Stan Smith. In fashion, as in life, he is his own man.
Gareth Southgate
England
Trademark: The waterproof
Vibe:In the frenzy of the 2018 World Cup, Gaz’s signature look caused a 35 per cent spike in waistcoat sales at M&S and sent “chap” style mainstream. He has abandoned the three-piece suit in favour of a very ‘upmarket pallbearer’ uniform mostly designed by his official outfitter for this tournament, London-based menswear brand, Percival. Southgate’s looks have included a fairweather suit — a lightweight grey number, worn with Percival’s £109 navy collared knit — and the £199 “waterproof Sherlock” jacket. Hmmm…
Greetings Zipsters and welcome to the end of June. We should’ve been enjoying our ‘freedom’ this week but that’s on hold for another month. It was my birthday on Monday 21st which softened the blow, although I spent half the day in the dentist’s chair. One other huge significance to 21st June is that this is the launch of the ‘Summer Sales’ and this week I have found the very best bargains for all the guys out there. Next week, I’ll have some girlie finds for you.
As we have July 19th to look forward to now, I thought we should start thinking about festivals and of course, the customary festie hat. I mentioned my friend Lisa Negus a couple of weeks ago and her label ‘Hippy Chic Boutique‘ – the most amazing collection of festive headwear I’ve ever seen. I grabbed five minutes with her to discuss the roots of her collection and how it all began….
Hippy Chic Boutique
LISA: “So started making cowboy hats to wear at Ibiza’a Ocean Beach Club to go with an outfit I would be wearing. People were always complimenting me on this so I decided to create a Facebook page featuring my designs.
I was then contacted by friends asking me to make them their own hats so decided to launch a little sideline business. This soon escalated into lots of other people requesting and following my page. People would send pics of outfits they were wearing , I would simply match the hat. I then went into making feather headresses for festivals . Again, lots of different colours . I wanted to branch out to men too, so decided to add my designs to Top Hats and Trilby hats. Then came the Captains Hats, which are now probably my top sellers. Customers advise me on colours and I have also made sun visors and Pork Pie hats. I never plan my work. I sit with a blank hat along with my extensive collection of jewels and accessories and just get a ‘feel for it’. I have just started making accessories to go with the hats I make. These include swimwear, beach bags, flip flops , clutch bags , bum bags and sunglasses. I would say my biggest customers are those on the party scene, including many a DJ. I’m hoping to make more cowboy hats when our holidays eventually start. Hope to get my work into boutiques this year.”
Check out Lisa Negus and Hippy Chic Boutique on Facebook and Instagram.
It takes a seasoned shopper to effectively navigate the men’s sales racks.
Savvy shopping in a sale is easier said than done. Even the best of us have, without due contemplation, blindly bought sale items, only for our purchases to hang dormant in our wardrobes gathering dust. And the lack of social opportunities during lockdown didn’t help.
That said, if you set off knowing what you’re looking for, the best men’s sales can provide ample opportunity to build a comprehensive wardrobe that’ll keep you stylish in the year to come.
REISS TROUSERS
What better a transition out of joggers could there possibly be than a complete 180 into a pair of refined check trousers, such as these by Reiss? Perfect for a stylish return to the office and just as good for a date night out at reopened bars and restaurants. Tuck in a white tee and seal the deal with a slick leather belt. WAS £135 – NOW £45.reiss.com
DKNY THREE-PIECE SUIT
It can be hard to find a suit that treads the right line between youthful and professional, and DKNY pretty much nails it with this forest-green three-piece. It’s slim-fitting and cut close to the shoulders for a modern look – just add a pocket square for a bit of texture. Was £439 NOW under £100 – Jacket,£59.95. Trousers,£20. Waistcoat,£15. At Moss Bros.moss.co.uk
COS CASHMERE JUMPER
No matter the season, a cashmere jumper will keep you cosy year-round. Cos’ blends the premium fabric with a waffle knit that’s laid-back and just the right weight for layering. £75.cosstores.com
RALPH LAUREN BUCKET HAT
Bucket hat first-timer? That’s nothing to be ashamed about. Ease into the always-on summertime trend with this neutral classic by Ralph Lauren. The khaki colourway is easily integrated into summer fits and won’t look like you’re trying something new. WAS £55 NOW £39. Atssense.com
MOSCHINO SWIMMING SHORTS
Finally, summer has come around, so it’s high time to get your swimmers in order. This bright orange logo-embellished pair by Moschino, are statement-makers which really come into their own. WAS £136 NOW £32. At TK Maxx.tkmaxx.com
ADIDAS JACKET
If there’s one jacket colour you can always advocate for outside of the neutral palette, it’s bright yellow. Made iconic in no small part thanks to Paddington Bear’s duffel, the colour brightens up the dreariest of days in raincoats and puffers alike. This oversized padded number from Adidas is just the thing for parks and pub gardens. WAS £139 NOW £32. At TK Maxx.tkmaxx.com
RAY-BAN SUNGLASSES
Whether it’s the summer of 2021 or the summer of 2050, a pair of Ray-Ban’s just isn’t going to go out of style. The brand is especially well versed in the square shape and this winged twist on its classic wayfarer is a testament to that. With their rich tortoiseshell frames and gradient lenses, they’re just the pair to slip on with swim shorts, slides and an oversized short-sleeve shirt. WAS £137 NOW £91.70. At Selfridges.selfridges.com
VERSACE WALLET
A classic from Versace’s 2020 collection, this slick calf-leather wallet is embossed with a floral motif that gives it some much welcome textural appeal. With five card slots, a zip pocket and an internal keyring, it’s also well equipped to handle your daily monetary requirements. WAS £300 NOW £175. Atluisaviaroma.com
BALENCIAGA HOODIE
This Balenciaga hoodie is one of the hero pieces of Mr Porter’s freshly launched summer sale. You can’t beat a black graphic hoodie and Balenciaga knows how to elevate these simple streetwear staples into designer grails. Here, an ode to Parisian architecture, which only gets better with the Notre-Dame illustration on the back. WAS £550 NOW £495. At mrporter.com
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD X ASICS GEL-KAYANO 27
Vivienne Westwood’s Asics collabs and the 80-year-old designer’s take on the Asics Gel-Kayano 27 is one of our favourites to date. That unique colour palette is going to work year-round and the signature orb gives those classic Asics stripes some real designer pizzazz. WAS £245 NOW £207. Atssense.com
CLARKS WALLABEE MOCCASINS
The Clarks Wallabee moccasin is a menswear classic, done in countless incarnations at this point. This sandy-hued take is especially worthy of its place in your shoe rotation thanks to its mix of neutral shades and extra details such as the patterned flecks of the laces. With an upper made from stain- and water-resistant suede, they’re also super durable and comfortable. WAS £220 NOW £129. Atnotre-shop.com
RALPH LAUREN SHIRT
The kind of shirt that makes you want to pack a bag and head for the coast. Nothing says beach style quite like powder blue vertical stripes, elevated here with the label’s polo-playing emblem in bright red. Worn open with a white tee and chino shorts, it’ll be a go-to for British summertime. WAS £129 NOW £44.99. At House of Fraser.houseoffraser.co.uk
LEVI’S 511 JEANS
Of all Levi’s myriad cuts of jeans, the 511 is up there with the most iconic, and it’s not hard to see why. The slim-fit boasts just the right taper for a laid-back look, and in this shade of washed-out blue. WAS £110 NOW £60. At House of Fraser.houseoffraser.co.uk
TOMS FLIP FLOPS
Sandal season is here and for the most laid back and beach-ready take you could do a lot worse than this collaborative effort between Toms and Outerknown. Its earth-tone hues are well suited to neutral-toned linens – a look that’ll serve you very well when the sun is shining. WAS £40 NOW £28. Atasos.com
The word ‘nude’ used to be synonymous with light pinks and beige, but that isn’t what the whole world looks like without their clothes on.
So, Marks and Spencer has launched a much broader range of ‘nude’ or ‘neutral’ underwear that aims to be more inclusive for people with darker skin tones.
A statement explains that the retailer has been focused on ‘redefining its “neutrals” (nude) underwear’ because previously, ‘the offer at M&S was inconsistent and inadequate for all ethnicities.’
Introducing “new neutrals” – a truly inclusive range – a selection of customer’s favourite styles available in five great shades named Opaline, Rich Amber, Rich Quartz, Rose Quartz & Topaz.
The renaming of the different shades was also a conscious development and a response to customer feedback regarding “industry standard” colour names such as ‘tobacco’.
The new neutrals range with the five different skin shades is available in an array of different classic underwear products, including the ‘Body’ (smoothing) T-Shirt bras and No VPL knickers, Wildblooms lace bras and knickers, and the Rosie exclusively for M&S silk & lace bras and knickers.
The neutrals offer is also being trailed in in M&S’s First Bra range, Angel.
Following on from the success of their winter and spring collections, M&S have graced us with a third gorgeous Ghost Collection. With prices starting from just £59, stock is already selling fast
A vintage influence has once again been captured for the new season, and highlights include pretty ruffles, shirred detailing and beautiful sleeve finishes that elevate the styles.
The 19-piece range has been designed exclusively for M&S, and is available to buy this month. Available in sizes 6-20, and in selected stores and at www.marksandspencer.com
Best of all? Prices range from £59 to £89 – so you don’t have to break the bank either.
The latest collection places style, quality, and comfort at the heart of the collaboration, championing attention to detail and premium fabrics – associated with the brand.
Ghost has even been given the Royal seal of approval from the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. She’s been seen a wearing items from the English designer, including a piece at the start of lockdown, a blouse during a Zoom call and a dress in her anniversary portrait with husband Prince William.
Needless to say, anything the Duchess wears will sell out fast.
M&S have even welcomed back the Ghost Mini-Me too, with five pretty little printed dresses. So, you and your little one can twin-up all summer long.
It’s almost June 21st – my birthday – unsurprisingly, a favourite time of the year.
There seem to be birthdays every week in my world right now. And a friend of mine just received a gift of the coolest Converse I’ve ever seen, I’m hoping I end up with a pair myself.
I’m not usually a fan of Converse but I am a fan of art – especially by uber cool NYC artist Keith Haring. So, what do you get when both collide?
Converse x Keith Haring
Converse’s new Keith Haring collection brings the streets of New York to your soles. This is literally ‘Stepping out in street art’.
If you’ve been to New York City you can’t walk a block or two without catching a glimpse of Manhattan’s avant-garde graffiti scene. Designs are etched onto billboards, subways and any remotely vacant brick wall within a large radius.
Converse has captured this feel by launching a collaborative line with one of the city’s most prolific and progressive pop artists, the late legendary Keith Haring,
Known for his playful and uplifting street art drawings with a cheeky hit of colour, the American pop artist’s ’80s subway murals take on a new canvas for the line. Available on Converse’s Chuck 70, Chuck Taylor All Star, Pro Leather and the style-forward Run Star Hike, as well as a series of apparel and a bucket hat, the collection is made for those seeking an edgy and expressive spin on the all-star classics.
A driving force throughout Haring’s career was ensuring his work conveyed powerful messages, including being an AIDS and anti-apartheid activist. The collection utilises white, off-white and black colourways, leaving the artist’s world-renowned illustrations (which have been carefully embroidered onto the shoe’s upper) to take centre stage. Pops of red, green and yellow make an appearance on various designs, elevating the otherwise monochromatic finish. This gives footwear-fiends the option of something simpler and more understated, as well as something with a bit more pizazz.
Mastering fashionable clothing can be difficult enough in a general sense, but swimming trunks are just a few square centimetres of fabric, so they have to say more about you per square centimetre than any other garment. If every street’s a catwalk, then every beach is a minefield.
To help you nail poolside cool this summer, I’ve picked the 4 trends every man should be buying into. I’ll keep it brief.
Military
Action Man cargo shorts have been one of the most prevalent trends of recent decades, having now gone full circle to storm the beaches. Perfect for those for whom stripping down to shorts leaves them feeling slightly vulnerable – enlisting the armed forces can add some rugged manliness to even the skimpiest of swimwear.
If your legs resemble pieces of string, then these shorts are a great choice. The busy pattern will add some much-needed width and bulk to your legs by drawing the eye outwards. Don’t go for acres of fabric though. Go for a slimmer cut instead.”
Simple White
White shorts are one of menswear’s biggest swimwear trends this season. Perfect on all skin shades. As well as the beaches of Cannes, they’ve been seen at lots of Spring break pool parties in Vegas and Miami. They’re simple, classic and flattering – as long as you get the right size of course. Just don’t have any little ‘accidents’ in them. And ensure they are fully lined.
Flower Power
Botanical prints have made the jump from female favourite to everyday essential for men.
Floral adds a sense of fun to otherwise staid swimwear. For the most flattering look, scale the size of the florals to your frame: if you have a small frame go for a smaller sized floral and if you have a larger frame you can take a bigger print
Old-School
The appeal of retro sportswear in general is huge right now and now nostalgic swimwear trends are diving in too. This season, designers have taken their lead from the old-school vibe and updated it, to help you avoid looking like your school gym teacher on swimming lesson day.
You’ve got to have the whole look down to a T, so try wearing them with some equally retro sunglasses. For a reference point, take inspiration from James Bond – he did retro shorts well.
More often than not, retro-inspired shorts come in an A-line shape, with wider leg holes to retain the throwback silhouette. While it’s a flattering cut that’ll make you look in proportion (especially if you’re larger up top), it does leave a lot of room for, err, flapping. So, ensure they’re lined to save giving everyone a peek of Harry and Sally when you lay back on the lounger.
Whether you had glorious Portuguese plans before it went amber, you’re waiting for Ibiza to go green or you’re gambling on spending your summer tanning in the UK by the paddling pool, now is the perfect time to start curating you cossie collection.
And this season there are all sorts of lovely styles to choose from. From lockdown bod-friendly ruching, to itty bitty strappy numbers, from minimalism to psychedelic retro prints, there’s something for every taste and body shape.
Here are six of the key trends to know all about:
1. Minimal
Clean lines and understated silhouettes feel elegant and modern for summer ‘21. Pair with simple sheer slip dresses and thick-soled flip-flops for a look that’s classic and cool.
2. Ruching
For anyone that’s gained a couple of lockdown pounds (has anyone not?), this trend’s a blessing. Opt for shiny and metallic materials – think 80s.
3. Cut-outs
They’re already a massive trend in clothing and for summer ‘21, cut-outs are a key swimwear trend too. Just watch your tanning lines.
4. Retro prints
I love these – go for psychedelic 70s florals and geometric 80s prints for a summer that’s all kinds of groovy. Imagine Pucci prints and these will make you stand out on the beach or any pool side. Keep hair simple and all need is glistening skin to enhance this look.
5. Asymmetry
Flash your favourite shoulder in asymmetric necklines. Sparkly turbans and extra bling are positively encouraged. Totally OTT and probably not great to swim in – but you’ll look FABULOUS.
6. All tied up
This summer’s itty-bitty teeny-weeny bikini’s come with tummy ties and strappy waists – the more spaghetti the better. It’s sexy but takes ages to put together and the tan lines are terrible, unless you particularly like geometry.
