#FASHION: At Old Khaki, it’s all about having a laid back summer

Old Khaki’s spring/summer collection is characterised by the range of muted colours and cool fabrics that are perfect to foil the heat and bright sun that are part and parcel of a South African summer.

There are several go-anywhere tops and dresses, all-purpose shorts and summer’s basic uniform: denim and T-shirts. There are stripes, toned-down tropical prints, ombré shading and a range of cool blues.

Fabrics are equally summery and were chosen for maximum comfort. Cotton, linen, melange, chambray and viscose were used for the men’s and women’s fashions.

For women

Old Khaki looked to dream holiday destinations such as Marrakesh, Capri and Zanzibar for inspiration. The result is flowing, flattering silhouettes with beautiful prints. Restrained spicy oranges, rust and dusty rose, medium washed denim and the white, blues and light olive green happily combine to create a soothing palette for summer. Dresses – maxi-dresses, short dresses, fitted denim dresses and shirt dresses – off-the-shoulder tops and linen tops are three of the key pieces.

Come high summer, Old Khaki will add pale pink, pale olive green and white denim skinnies, denim shorts with embroidery and lace detail and denim jackets for a barefoot stroll on the beach, followed by a relaxed meal. True to Old Khaki, the emphasis is on wearability, this time with an added femininity. Although in line with current trends, they were designed to be relevant for more than this season and the basics will work as well when it’s time to layer up in autumn/winter.

For men

The easy-going, modern shorts, vests, T-shirts and jeans are fit for a tropical escape or at least living footloose in the city. Warm sunset shades such as red and orange are tempered by fresh pastels and island white and blues.

Denim is an important part of the Old Khaki brand and as always, there is a wide range on offer. Jeans are skinny, tapered, straight and regular and come in several washes, including washed out rip ’n’ repair denim.

In addition to denim, the other hero pieces are shorts with a leaf pattern, Old Khaki’s well-known Henly shirts, bomber jackets and linen shirts. Their popular chinos and utility shorts are available in a new range of sorbet and summer colours. The season’s stripes are present on shorts, shirts and reverse-stripe Tshirts.

Shirts range from plain, textured fabrics to all-over prints and stripes, and can be worn buttoned-up for more formal events and unbuttoned over a vest or T-shirt on more casual occasions. Contrasting details on the inside create an interesting effect when the sleeves are rolled up.

Accessories

Hats come in several styles and Old Khaki has striking straw hats, trilbies, floppy cloth hats, lace hats and blue and white peak caps to protect women against the sun. Men can choose from peak caps, bucket hats, trilbies and ‘cowboy’ hats. Their summer footwear is also focused on leisure and the range includes men’s and women’s sneakers, sandals and thongs with the addition of espadrilles and lace-ups for women.

The full spring/summer 2017 collection is available in stores and online now.