As one of the classic summer looks, maritime style comes in clean cuts and bold stripes in navy blue or bright red combined with white – this season’s it-colour. Usually associated with holiday destinations like Deauville and St. Tropez, or the Hampton’s across the Atlantic, this time around the designs are casual and practical but without forfeiting elegance.

 Most tops feature round necklines, while dresses arrive tunic style or in hourglass shapes that emphasize the waist. Diane von Furstenberg’s dresses come in blue prints with side pockets while Marni showed a sporty touch with white skirts over cropped leggings. Trousers are either cropped or wide-legged and long. Skirts are A-line and knee-length, as seen at the Oscar de la Renta runway.

 Some designers, including DKNY, had a clean take on the maritime look renouncing printed patterns and using plain designs only. Burberry Prorsum accentuated their outfits with discreet rope elements on the sleeves while Anna Sui went for a pirate style. Chloe and Valentino carry on the romantic look by using navy blue, red and white as fundamental colours. Designers such as Dsquared2 and Proenza Schouler have given the classic look a new twist by using orange and pink as substitutes for the classic red. Details to take note of are the additional gold elements in the form of buttons, ribbons or belt buckles.

By Christa Catharina Muller