How To Wear: Pastel Workwear

The Look: Khaki cargo jackets and olive green bermudas? Snooze. The new way to update your favourite hardy-yet-chic separates is to inject a bright, happy dose of pastels.

Seen At: In his final collection, Dries Van Noten sent out cargo shorts in bright persimmon orange and pale greens. Meanwhile, in a Milanese villa, Gucci saw a procession of models in oversized cargo jackets in shades of lilac, sky blue and lime green. Offering a more grown-up take, Véronique Nichanian at Hermès showcased two work jackets in pink with big cargo pockets, each one tailored to slouch elegantly on the wearer.

Why We Love It: As we head into summer and the temperature goes from scalding to boiling, you’ll want clothes that feel lighter and look brighter. This season’s utilitarian standouts do just that: they’re cut from lightweight fabrics to keep you feeling cool and airy, and the burst of unexpected colour helps boost your dopamine levels.

How to Wear It: It’s a fairly flexible trend to dip your toes into, as far as fashion trends go. You could go all out with a head-to-toe mish-mash of sorbet hues, or work it in as a pop of colour underneath your regular suiting to keep things understated. All we can say is: experiment, experiment, experiment.

Ahead, we’ve compiled some of our best picks to get the look right now.

Related article: How To Wear: The New Athleisure

Step 1: Build your base with your separates

Taffeta shirt, $2,070, Jil Sander

Pack this on your next European gallivant, and team it with a pair of micro shorts and espadrilles for a hot boy summer.

Cargo jacket, $2,105, Simone Rocha at Farfetch

Usually a symbol of ruggedness, the cargo jacket gets a romantic update in peach and florals.

Printed shorts, $1,165, Fendi at Farfetch

Wear your adventurous spirit with pride, with the help of a pair of shorts that come with a map-inspired motif.

Related article: 10 Stylish Everyday Bags For Men That Are Super Durable

Step 2: Zhush it up with accessories

Keepall Bandoulière 25 bag, $3,550, Louis Vuitton

Stash the boring brown bags for another day. Take this acid green baby out with you instead.

Square-frame acetate sunglasses, about $1,230, Jacques Marie Mage at Mr Porter

Thanks to celebs like Jeff Goldblum and Robert Downey Jr., tinted sunglasses are having a big comeback now.

Cotton baseball cap, $720, Valentino

Bad hair days, meet your match.

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Step 3: Just add sparkle

Trinity cushion ring, in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and diamonds, $16,800, Cartier

Can’t decide which colour of gold to wear today? Wear ’em all!

Arrow pendant necklace, $670, Alexander McQueen

If “don’t mess with me” was a necklace, this would be it.

This article contains products independently selected by our team of editors and writers. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices listed are accurate at the time of publishing.