EDIT: A bumper edition of our top summer staples

When we say we've done the homework for you, we reeaaaallllyyyy mean it with this one.

Hi! Well, we’ve almost made it to the end of 2024. How are we feeling? Is the OOO on? Are your feet naked and is your glass full? Are you, like us, seemingly juggling a million things in the lead-up to Christmas Day?? The mental load really does ratchet up to turbo mode at this time of year, leaving little headspace to truly savour these sweet precious days. We don’t have the answer for that, but we DO have something very fun and special for you this week: a BUMPER edit of summer essentials that you can peruse, at your leisure, between your third mimosa and fourth helping of ham.

Soph has scoured every last corner of the Australian fashion landscape to curate this bookmark-worthy edit and it’s been a great reminder to us both that Australian designers really do excel at summer fashion. This makes sense given Australians — on the whole — are undeniably casual in their approach to getting dressed. It’s just not in our nature to be pedantic about much (save for, maybe, how to eat a pie). And who wants to be pedantic and hot?

But a casual, relaxed approach to getting dressed doesn’t have to mean we can’t, or shouldn’t, be thoughtful about what we wear and how we put a look together. You can still embrace intentional dressing without giving up a laissez-faire attitude. And it’s somewhere in the middle of that Venn diagram where we want to live this summer.

Because, in the wise words of Bill Murray: the more relaxed you are, the better you are at everything.

Speaking of being relaxed, we’ll be taking the next two weeks off publishing our newsletter while we recharge some very depleted batteries. During this time we’ll be pausing paid subscriptions, so any paid subscribers should get a discount on their next billing period.

It’s been a huge year for us both, in matters both personal and professional. Without getting too sentimental, this newsletter has been a lifeline for our creativity, our sanity, our friendship and our style in 2025, and we’re extremely grateful to each of you for joining us here in this little patch of the internet. Ok, we’re crying now so let’s move on to the CLOTHES!

Sandals to wear all day and all night

Sandals exist on a vast spectrum, with chunky flatform slides at one end and barely-there, delicate strappies on the other. And let’s face it, there are TOO MANY sandals on the market right now. But the thing is this: each style does such a different thing to your outfit, you absolutely do benefit from having a few options at hand/foot. Allow us to help, ahem, dip your toe into the endless pool.

1. ESSĒN / The Foundation Flat — $499

2. ALPHA60 / Asher Slide — $230

3. ST. AGNI / Woven Rope Sandal — $289

4. NELSON MADE / Eva Slide — $329

5. ASSEMBLY LABEL / Nell Leather Slide — $120

6. ZIAH / Transparent Heel — $329

7. ZIAH / Transparent Thong — $299

8. ESSĒN / The Sporty Slingback — $469

1. NELSON MADE / Ida Slide — $299

2. DOF STUDIOS / Selena — $259.95

3. DOF STUDIOS / Lily — $349.95

4. A.EMERY / The Davis Sandal — $190

5. ALIAS MAE / Kenia — $139.95

6. A.EMERY / The Pae Sandal — $190

7. CHRISTOPHER ESBER / Jo Flip Flop — $400

Delicate, pretty blouses to wear with more masc. bottoms

We’ve been going on about a certain outfit for a while now; this one is also a classic of the genre. Pairing a delicate, feminine top with a more traditionally masculine bottom — e.g. long-line cargo shorts or oversized men’s suit trousers — just feels so current (which is all just to say Patricia Field really did have 20/20 vision).

1. BEC + BRIDGE / Zalea Gathered Top — $180

2. LEE MATHEWS / Frida Ruched Top — $399

3. ALEMAIS / Olivia Embroidered Top — $350

4. BASSIKE / Raw Edge Lace Baby T-Shirt — $195

5. WITH JEAN / Ischia Top — $149

6. BOTEH / Voila Embroidered Full Sleeve Crop — $350

7. POSSE / Beyrl Top — $279

8. MATTEAU / Broderie Blouse — $440