Wistfully watching blue skies from your balcony, diligently working from home, getting green-fingered in the garden, or taking the first plane somewhere hot - whatever your summer looks like, here are four colour-themed vignettes to inspire your choice of accessories.
It’s fair to say that whatever plans you had for this summer have probably gone understandably awry. Cue stiff upper lip and enduring British optimism! From adversity comes opportunity, which is why we have shot these four vignettes to inspire your style and way of living this summer, featuring our favourite seasonal pieces from Oliver Spencer and some of our most-loved accessories from Oliver Spencer Studio. Enjoy!
Maritime Blues
While navy stripes of the Breton variety might have originally been constructed for barnacled adventurers on the high seas, the maritime tradition has long been a great summer style motif in menswear. Blue is, after all, one of the most versatile colours there is and goes well with every skin tone. From classic navy to aquamarine via teal and sky, blue hues are an excellent way to add depth and versatility to your wardrobe. Our Hawthorn polo is a useful way to add a vibrant pattern to a tonal blue look for example, while Paraboot's new Michael shoes in blue suede are a stylish way to bookend a pair of our Evering Navy Judo Trousers or a pair of jeans. Contrast your blues with white and creams to better bring out the nuances of tone in the cloth.
Mellow Yellow
Vibrant and uplifting, yellow tones make for a bold summer wardrobe. You needn't go the acid yellow route though - more muted mustard tones, such as that of our Hawaiian Short-Sleeved Shirt Pavillion Yellow are just as effective in raising the colour profile of your look. That said, if big block colours are too much, opt for more neutral tones such as our Evering Sand linen fabric and use accents of yellow in accessories to complement the look. Il Bussetto do a stunning range of small leather goods in vibrant tones, while our Conrad Sepia frames put the sunny in shades. US Rubber's corn yellow lo-fi kicks spruce up your summer footwear nicely and while we love them with neutral trousers, they also work equally well with navy styles.
Green's the dream
Don't let anyone tell you gardening's not sexy. Since lockdown, gardening has exploded in popularity as we've all seen the value in growing our own produce. From a practical side, Niwaki's gardening tools are second-to-none and are an absolute delight to use. Beautifully designed using the finest Japanese drop-forged carbon steel, they'll definitely elevate your horticultural cred. You can also take inspiration from the colours of flora and fauna, not least khaki green. We recently wrote about the benefits of khaki green here, but in short, it's one of the most underrated and versatile colours in menswear. Our three-pocket Cromwell Jacket in Evering Green is an excellent example. Cut from lightweight linen, it makes for an easy-to-wear layering piece throughout the year.
Home Office Highlights
For many people, this summer has redefined the way they work, which has meant upgrading their homes to create micro offices (although there is a lot to be said for periodic laptop-on-sofa sessions) if only to add some flavour to Zoom calls! At Oliver Spencer Studio, we stock a host of brands that bring an eclectic and sophisticated element of style to your home office accessories. From Ystudio's brass writing tools to Mark + Fold's modern British stationery via Craig Hill's steel letter opener in the guise of a kiridashi knife, these everyday implements help insert an element of joy into the mundane.