How to wear green during the summer
A summer story in the colour of forest, matcha & broccoli.
We decided to challenge ourselves and wear something out of character for all 3 of us: green in the summer, specifically the ‘Gippsland Explorers’ + 'British Modern' set.
Three people. Nine outfits. One colour we don’t normally touch when it’s 30+ degrees out. Let’s see what happened.
Alexandra’s
My summer philosophy? Basics, basics, basics. Lots of tank tops, oversized shirts, and breathable shorts, all in natural fabrics (tencel, linen, cotton) that won’t make you feel like you’re melting from the inside out. Start with colours that actually look good on you, and build from there. Even unexpected shades (hi, forest green) feel wearable if you style them smart with basics.
I already know dark navy is one of my colours and just that little bit smarter than black in the summer. And conveniently, navy plays nicely with forest green. So I built an easy, functional, running-errands-at-11am kind of outfit using those two as a base and grounded it with crisp white. I wore the ‘Gippsland Explorers’ jacket buttoned up as a shirt over a navy tank, tucked into a pair of white cotton shorts. A navy bucket hat added equal parts sun protection and punctuation mark, and I finished the look with black lace-up sandals.
For this second look, I leaned into my ongoing love affair with simplicity. I started with a boxy, half-placket linen shirt in white, exactly the right shape to complement the maxi-length ‘British Modern’ skirt. Colour-wise, green and white are a natural pairing. I added a tonal belt in the same fabric and shade as the skirt to subtly define the waist. There’s even a slightly Japanese sensibility to the silhouette, which I didn’t plan, but very much welcomed. I finished the outfit with a pair of barely-there lace-up leather mules in a tabac shade. Ideal for those breezy afternoons that somehow turn into dinner plans, and you can’t be bothered to change.
I also have one more summer’s rule: avoid trousers at all costs, unless we’re talking linen or some sort of diaphanous fabric that barely counts. I see people walking around in full denim and can’t help but imagine the internal suffering.
Even when you want to go for that clean, suit-adjacent look, still, trousers are off the table. So here’s my version of a summer suit: swap the traditional bottoms for some black linen shorts, and the blazer for something softer, like a jacket in soie sauvage silk. That’s the foundation.
The real moment comes from layering in the green ‘Gippsland Explorers’ jacket, worn buttoned and tucked, acting more like a relaxed shirt. I left the deep V-neckline bare because sometimes a bit of skin is needed. Then tied it all together with black details: classic sunglasses, and a pair of black leather fisherman sandals. Apparently, forest green pairs well with black too!
Valisia’s
So, I did my best to drag green into my aesthetic universe, and surprisingly, it put up less of a fight than expected. So, here are three ways to style the “Gippsland Explorers” jacket and the “British Modern” skirt. This outfit challenge tested more than just styling skills — it tested my core beliefs.
This one’s the most “Valisia” outfit of the three — unapologetically bold with a nod to my current obsession: Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” era. The “British Modern” skirt is secured with a safety pin under my vintage chain belt for that tactical, camouflaged twist. Of course, I had to show some leg — but in true me-fashion, a mere slit wouldn’t do. This is a reveal, not a suggestion.
If I were filthy rich and living in the ’80s, this is how I’d walk around my house — aimlessly fabulous. The "Nebuchadnezzar on Fire" manteau does all the talking with its grandiose volume, extra-wide sleeves, and dramatic length. And then there’s the bow — because a bow, anywhere and everywhere, is always a must. I paired it with just a black minimal bra underneath, as any self-respecting luxury recluse would. This is casual delusion with couture undertones.
This one’s for the girls — but worn by someone who wouldn’t. For me, this is a full-on girly look: light, summery, a little flirty — the kind of vibe I usually run from. But Stella loves it on me, so here we are. I took one of my mother’s scarves and wrapped it into a mini skirt while pairing it with my Vagabond slingbacks for a clean, modern finish, and kept everything else minimal. It’s playful, breezy, and effortlessly cool… even if I styled it while slightly cringing. Highly recommended.
Stella’s
As much as I love dressing up in winter, my summer thought process is more like: 'Which garment is the easiest to iron?' —since it never sees the inside of the wardrobe again after a day out in the sun.
Layers in summer? I’ll take them! Let’s be honest — most of us spend our days under air conditioning, so it’s actually (even artificially) chilly during the day, and naturally breezy at night. Two layers made from natural fibers (which is always important, no matter the season) will keep you comfortable whether you’re working, eating, or strolling. I like to carry some of winter’s accessories into the summer months — for instance, I’ll add a brooch. Mine happens to be a fork, which can even come in handy under the right circumstances.
There aren’t many ways to stay cool — or even look cool — in the heat, but an open cotton or linen shirt might just be the answer (at least for the second part). I actually felt great wearing the 'British Modern' skirt. It was my first time wearing it, and I loved the 3 asymmetrical slits — it felt airy, comfortable, and put-together all at once. The built-in choker of 'Luna Park' saves me from having to accessorise, but still adds just enough. A colour combination I’d try next? Green, white, and beige.
Where am I going? I might seem confused. Cover the shoes, and I could be headed for an easy hike. Cover the top, and it looks like I’m wearing my dad’s trousers after a night out. In what circumstance? Don’t care, I speak hypothetically.
This look sums up my summer wardrobe: clothes that don’t touch me.
Bisous bisous!
Alexandra + Valisia + Stella