Every summer, the heat triggers the same recurring predicament. Opening the wardrobe to find rows of sweaters and cardigans instantly makes one want to cancel all plans and stay indoors. No matter how many years pass, temperatures exceeding 20 degrees Celsius always catch us off guard. Consequently, the entire summer wardrobe is reduced to worn-out basics, hastily acquired over the years from the nearest fast-fashion retailers. But perhaps in summer, one desires to transform into a Pucci-clad woman, as if stepping out of a Slim Aarons photo album? Or emulate Zara Larsson and embrace Desigual pieces discovered on Depop? An uninspiring summer wardrobe has long been a source of irritation.
Advertising.
But this year, as one heatwave followed another, making it definitively clear that summer would only grow hotter, something unexpectedly comforting emerged. It seems everyone around has also eased up. Even those typically meticulous about their style are now wearing old, beloved garments previously reserved for sleeping. We’re talking about individuals who would hunt down Helmut Lang archives for a simple white t-shirt or purchase nearly identical sweaters from The Row. Now, they casually don any faded item found crumpled at the bottom of a drawer. Has even one of the most persistent fashion habits – the desire for one’s exceptional taste to be noticed and perhaps even slightly feared – succumbed to the heat?
Quite possibly. In late 2024, British Vogue introduced the term “Embrasic.” Mahoro Seward wrote in a column: “we’ve had to spend more years of our lives than we’d care to admit trying hard to be cool.” Embrasic, a portmanteau of “embrace” and “basic,” describes the liberation that comes when one no longer feels the need to prove to everyone that they possess a unique taste and are exclusively interested in rare, complex, and obscure items. It’s perfectly acceptable to simply admit that a pumpkin spice latte is delicious.
While the term itself didn’t gain widespread popularity, the sentiment behind it has certainly taken root. We’ve finally stopped feeling self-conscious about our perfectly ordinary preferences. Who hasn’t enjoyed listening to Coldplay? Who doesn’t appreciate that first sip of a Porn Star Martini? Constantly showcasing one’s sophistication is exhausting. And, frankly, a little awkward.
Even Jonathan Anderson, a leading innovator in contemporary fashion, typically wears a navy jumper, jeans, and Salomon hiking boots. And he might very well be the best-dressed man in the fashion industry. Of course, the desire to enthusiastically discuss the merits of a Charvet shirt or a pair of incredibly soft loafers sold exclusively in a single Parisian boutique in the seventh arrondissement might resurface. If you’re curious, they’re Rubirosas. But right now, there’s no inclination to remain captive to impeccable taste.
So, it’s time to unbutton the Comme des Garçons blouse and dress as summer dictates: practically, simply, and without fretting over every item. Summer isn’t meant for hefty dry-cleaning bills or haggling with strangers on 1stDibs. It’s designed for clothes that can be stuffed into a tote bag, tossed into a bicycle basket, or worn without a second thought. This season calls for effortless basics that can withstand sweat, serve as a seat, and be easily forgotten. Garments in which one can simply live.
Based on material from vogue.co.uk