Keep it cool with the hippy look.



Styling by Georgina Heffernan



As a style enthusiast and fashion writer, you'd be forgiven for thinking that I'm a high-maintenance fashionista who wouldn't be seen dead without a full face of make-up and the latest IT bag. And while it's true that I love high heels, bright red lippy and the latest edition of Vogue  - those who know me well will attest that when on holiday I am, stylishly speaking, strictly off-duty. To me, looking good is far less important than feeling relaxed and enjoying the moment -  and that's  why I love easy summer clothes...

While the soft, wafting aesthetic of the hippy look wasn't decreed by fashion designers to be "in" this summer, it is interesting to note how it has still prevailed. I was by no means the only person in a kaftan top on Grafton street last summer: they were the uniform of choice for many of us. The hippy look was huge last year- by fashion standards it should resolutely be "over" 12 months down the line, but it isn't, for the simple reason that it works for us. And nowhere does it work better than on the beach.

Here's a few of my favourite  essentials...

 A peasant-style top :This beach style essential needs to be loose-fitting with a wide open neck and casual fit. While personally I'm a stickler for something classic and white, you could try something beaded, printed or patterned. Stylishly speaking, a  peasant top beats a baggy T-shirt on the beach, but maintains all the easy comfort and packability
 

A white cotton top:  A white cotton top rolls easily into a bag (avoid linen, obviously) and looks wonderful with a crochet or raffia bikini - any swimsuit with a texture, really. For night, don't make your sunburn worse by diving into a skintight Lycra dress: a loose white cotton shift is just as glamorous.

Denim Shorts: Summer is a chance to show off those enviable pins. But when you're flashing acres of flesh the trick is to balance all that body-baring by wearing a top with more fabric, such as gypsy-style tops, which are available all over the high street, or waistcoats to add colour to the look. 

 

The white dress:As the weather warms up, turn to a sartorial staple to get through the dog days: the white dress. The seasonable cousin to the ubiquitous LBD (little black dress), a breezy white frock is a must-have for a heat-wave wardrobe.

The maxi dress: They cover more than they reveal which - as any good stripper knows - is the key to sexual attraction.Since the maxi does its best to hide every spare inch of flesh (oh, alleluia, I hear you cry from behind the arras), you'd be well advised to get your knockers out. Not all the way, mind, but pump up the cleavage, reveal those shoulders and thank the divine hand of fashion fate that your buttocks can breathe a sigh of relief in the privacy of all that forgiving fabric.

The kaftan;If you're not convinced that you can carry off a kaftan but don't want to miss out on one of the summer's biggest trends, then this is a style worth trying. The empire-line cut is great for flattering the waistline while still showing off just the right amount of cleavage. Team it with a pair of smart tailored trousers and you'll even be able to wear it to the office







Clothing from a selection at Clerys, Rococco, Brown Thomas, Topshop, House of Frazer
Photography: Adrian Heffernan       Styling: Georgina Heffernan
Model : Amber Jean at Morgan
Make up artist: Danielle Murphy



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