5 Ways To Nail Easy Summer Style, According To Lucy Williams

May 29, 2023

By Joy Montgomery

"Summer style" is one of those concepts that either seems to entice or elude people. Half of us wait for summer to roll around, jumping at the first chance to wear a dress and sandals, while the rest of us would happily sweat it out in woollen layers 12 months of the year. Content creator, Lucy Williams, most certainly exists in the former category, with an Instagram feed that is permanently bathed in a honeyed glow that can only be found on a Greek island or on the French Riviera.

Lucy Williams for Ancient Greek Sandals.

It makes perfect sense that Williams has joined forces with Ancient Greek Sandals, the fashion crowd's favourite summer shoe brand, to create a capsule collection that was born to be worn in sunny climes.

"I wanted to create the kind of comfortable, relaxed pieces I live in on holiday for flitting between the beach and tavernas on our rental scooter, but that also slip seamlessly into my wardrobe and life back home," Williams explains. "I had to include shades of blue, because nothing says Greece to me like azure blue, and hot pink is eternally one of my favourite colours to wear in the summer, especially with tan and chocolate brown accents."

By Alice Cary

By Arden Fanning Andrews

By Emma Spedding

Lucy Williams for Ancient Greek Sandals.

Consisting of strapped leather sandals and colour-pop hats and bags, the collection is a clear reflection of Williams's personal style. With the collaboration launching this week, we sat down with Lucy Williams to discover the secret to her lust-worthy summer style. From stylish stripes to pyjama-inspired separates, scroll down to see and shop her tips.

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By Alice Cary

By Arden Fanning Andrews

By Emma Spedding

I love stripes anytime of year (if you come round to my house you’ll find instant proof of my obsession), but I really lean into them come summertime. Whether it's deck chairs, beach towels or sun loungers at chic Amalfi hotels, stripes scream holiday to me and they never date. I love a classic striped Oxford shirt thrown over swimwear for that preppy beach look (size up for a really oversized fit), reminiscent of ’90s J Crew catalogues and Carolyn Basset-Kennedy on a yacht. Likewise, high-waisted striped linen trousers work well with a linen waistcoat for a more relaxed take on suiting. Classic navy and white is a bit too nautical for me, but there are so many colour combinations to play with to suit your own personal style. I love warm, sunset hues, pale blue and chocolate brown, fine red and white stripes… the list goes on.

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I never feel less chic than when I’m tottering precariously down cobbled streets in the wrong shoes. I rarely pack heels for summer holidays and feel like great flats you can properly walk (and dance) in just feel much cooler. Feeling comfortable and confident in yourself is at the core of great style and for me that means shoes I can easily move around in. I love a platform sole for a bit of extra height – they’re super flattering, but feel more relaxed. They have that fun ’70s feel, too. I think a bit of distinction between day and night shoes can help flats feel more elevated if you want to dress up. I like chunky sandals for the daytime and more delicate straps or soles for the evening, plus fabrics like leather and suede and metal details always feel apt once the sun goes down.

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By Alice Cary

By Arden Fanning Andrews

By Emma Spedding

From drawstring cotton trousers to nightie-style dresses in cotton voile and mini silk slips, I’m always drawn to nightwear-inspired pieces for the summer. I’m not suggesting we wear lacy chemises to the beach (but you do you if that's your thing), but there's something I love about little nods to classic sleepwear on holiday and I’m definitely not the only one. Caroline Brasch's new brand, Caroline Editions, features pyjama-style matching striped sets and sleepwear brands If Only If and Tekla both lend themselves just as well to lazy days at the beach as they do to curling up under a duvet. Maybe it's because both of these places are my happy places, or maybe it's because I’ve never been a morning person, either way I’m into it. Likewise silk slip dresses are a summer staple for me – the slinkier the better. Vintage silk nighties are perfect for a balmy evening out and brands like Reformation, Asceno and Doen always have great options.

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Texture is one of the easiest ways to make your regular wardrobe feel that bit more Roman Holiday – my suitcase is normally full of it. Woven straw, raffia bags and hats, cork soles, latticed leather, crochet and natural canvas all instantly add that "barefoot on an island" feel to your everyday basics. A black slip dress that I’d wear with trainers and a jacket at home suddenly feels summery with a straw basket. I also love wide-leg jeans with suede sandals and a colourful raffia bag to create a summer look that feels less "tourist" and more, "hello I live here now".

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Sheer fabrics are having a moment right now. Crochet, string and fine-knit cover-ups worn over swimwear are a great entry-point, but I think sheer evening looks are also much more doable when you’re somewhere warm and palm-tree lined. I like matching whatever is underneath to the sheer piece in question – it just feels much more intentional. For example, black underwear under a black sheer dress or top, or white under white, pink under pink etc. Also, remember to keep underwear as minimal as possible. It's sexy and fun, which is exactly what holidays are about, if you ask me.