Each design is hand illustrated to reflect their detailed design signature. Besides statement pieces, the brand also provides a collection of essential garments, namely of premium trans-seasonal wardrobe staples.

Ashley Marc is also very concerced with ethical manufacturing in Europe, which allows them to visit manufacturers frequently and ensure the best quality for their clients. Garments are produced in Portugal and Germany.

Meaning, you'll have to get back to work under the suffocating heat. Unless you work from home or in an extremely laid back corporate environment, chances are you'll have to dress the part even if that doesn't mean going overly formal. As your reliable shorts, t-shirts and short sleeve shirts are usually out of the equation, the narrow range of remaining options will require you to up your fabric game. Without further ado, here are the top Summer fabric alternatives you should be aiming for:

COTTON:

Probably the most versatile of all fabrics, cotton is a natural fiber known for its breathability and moisture absorption abilities. As it can be found in endless variations of weights and weaves, go for a lightweight version such as:

• Poplin

• Seersucker

• Madras

LINEN:

Linen is likely the top of mind when it comes to warm weather fabrics and righfully so. Again, like cotton, it is breathable and absorbs moisture and can also be found in a variety of weights. One of its most charming traits is the way it wrinkles with wear, almost giving it life - it is also the reason why most mean wrongly avoid it. 

WOOL:

While it's mostly associated with Winter and heavy layers, wool can actually be extremely comfortable during Summer if you choose the right weave and weight. Fresco and tropical wools are your best options here.

Of course, fabric choice can only do so much for you, but it's definitely a huge factor when it comes to comfort. Other tips include going for light colored fabrics which better reflect sunlight and opting for looser fitting garments.

It is almost counterintuitive at a time when maximalism is being praised left and right, to keep the product toned down to its very essence, but then again, that's why we love it so much. 

DARKSIDE Eyewear is a luxury brand that combines sophisticated timeless design with the best quality materials. More than a fashion accessory our sunglasses are unique pieces that give elegance to the everyday life.

Seeking inspiration in minimalism and urban culture, the brand creates raw, strong and clean shape sunglasses. They’re perfect for those who wear them as an uniform.

Each product is designed in the brand's Rīga studio and 100% handmade in a small local factory.  Each finished frame is then individually shaped, balanced and hand-polished to make sure the wearer has the feeling of wearing something really special.

Material-wise, they resort to Italian acetate Mazzucchelli, for lightweight and comfortable frames, and high quality CR39 lenses. All the sunglasses come with a leather pouch, also handmade in Latvia

Drawing inspiration from one of the biggest men's style rendez vous worldwide, Pitti Uomo, let's see what men are wearing on the streets this season...

TROPICAL VIBES:

Like it or not, this season is all about bold, oversize patterns in a wide range of motifs. From geometrical to tropical, it seems men are fully embracing the sunshine and channeling those Summery vibes. The "pièce de résistance" for this trend? The short sleeved shirt.

Get the Look (left to right): 1 - Aruba shirt by Tiwel, 2 - Selleck shirt by Afield and  3 - Selleck shirt by Afield. 

OVERLAPPING LAPELS:

Much based on the concept of sprezzatura comes a trend which, to the untrained eye, might just seem like overall slouchiness. Italians are known to break the rules with nonchalance, tweaking small details to make their looks unique and effortless and this is yet another example. Instead of a polished combo between shirt and jacket, simply opt for a cuban collar shirt and let those collar flaps sit on top of the jacket's lapels.

NECK SCARVES:

While you may associate them with French gentlemen of old, the truth is handkerchiefs, neck scarfs or bandanas far transcend that notion. Actually, from a functional point of view, they were part of workwear or even biker attires, which is not to say gentleman can't sport them as well. Besides an extra pop of color and pattern, they help keep you dry and cool by absorbing any sweat on the neck region.

STRIPES:

Making a strong comeback, stripes were seen allover the street style scene. From breton tees to statement shirts, suits, jackets and trousers, men seemed to not get enough of it. 

Get the Look (left to right): 1 - Palm tree t-shirt by +351 2 - Hoodie Jacket by Corelate and  3 - Indigo Striped Shirt by Delikatessen.

As much as you may don a very distinct and individual personal style, the truth remains that womenswear evolves at such a blazing pace that you may end up falling out of fashion before you even knew you were in to start with... Now, we're not advocating you should renounce your individuality, but keeping aware of some of the latest trends is never a bad idea.

That being said, do you know whether your wardrobe is 2018 enough?To help you figure it out, we're listing below some of the inexorable trends of the season.

GOING PRIMARY:

The overall return to the use of primary colors was seen not only on runways but on the street as well. Red, yellow and blue in all their variants made a striking appearance in most collections, providing a fertile ground for abundant use of bold color blocking combos (another highlight on this list). 

Photo source: marieclaire.com

 Our selection (from left to right:) Nizza, Imauve and FRNCH. 

COLOR BLOCKING: 

Somewhat of a recurring trend, which for some has always been an pillar of style, color blocking is back in full force. To do it in a "by the book" approach, one would only pair opposite colors from the color wheel, but hey, it's 2018 so you can match anything you like as long as contrast and visual impact are achieved with a harmonious feel. 

Photo source: Fashionista

PASTELS: 

If making a bold statement through the use of color is not really your thing, don't panic just yet. The good news is that pastels are back and are trendier than ever. This muted shades allow for striking looks, albeit in a more understand fashion than the aforementioned. 

Our selection (from left to right:) Native Youth, Sunad and Misci.

These are the main trends for SS18 in what regards color use and combinations - we will cover others focused on silhouette, design and proportion on an upcoming post.

So, is your wardrobe ready to embrace these color trends? If not we've got you covered, and if so, you can always find amazing pieces to complement it, especially now that we're on sales with up to 30% off!

Having covered the main theoretical issues on the subject of favouring bare ankles, it's time to get down to business on the more technical aspects. Assuming none of the previous "requirements" are a deal breaker, let's focus on what to consider to pull off the look in a seamless fashion - mind you, these are not set in stone "rules", simply suggestions.

SHOE TYPE

Along with the overall aesthetic of the attire, the main aspect to keep in mind is definitely whether the shoe type is suitable for a sans socks look. As a rule of thumb, more formal styles such as oxfords, monk shoes or brogues should not be an option, unless you want to portray a very italian, fashion forward ensemble - in fact, this has been a statement look amidst #menswear finest. However, if you find it a bit too much for your personal style and environment, then loafers will quickly become your best companion.  

Despite common belief, loafers are casual in essence, making them the go-to choice to wear without socks (even if there are some styles which are considered a bit more formal). Material and shape dictate formality, with suede being more relaxed and patent leather more refined. 

Other suitable options for wearing without socks are of course sneakers and boat shoes, with the latter almost demanding a tanned ankle. 

TROUSER LENGTH

This is one of the aspects that bear a striking influence in the overall look, with small differences portraying anything from outdated, to contemporary or hipster. When going sockless, the ideal trouser length should be sitting on top of the shoe, or slightly above, with no break - if you're ditching the socks at least show it!

INVISIBLE SOCKS

A critical aspect of not wearing socks is definitely comfort, especially if you're going for sturdier leather shoes - a long day's walk may cause sweating, bruising and discomfort. The best to prevent this is to wear invisible socks - these will keep the no-socks look while protecting your feet and increasing the durability of your shoes.

SHOE CARE

Finally, the best way to ensure your shoes will last longer and optimal hygienic conditions is to ensure proper shoe care. While this is a good practice overall, it's even more important if you're ditching socks as your footwear will absorb more sweat and dirt. Making sure you keep your shoe choices on rotation, leaving them to dry at least for 24h and using cedar shoe trees will increase they durability. You can also opt for a shoe deodorant, but if you go with shoe trees it shouldn't be necessary. 

When it comes to fashion it's granted that trends fade as quickly as they grow, even if there's a certain cyclic nature in their lifespan. However, some seem to gain such a momentum that they become set in stone for a vast majority of consumers, be them fashion-savvy or not. As we're (hopefully) fast approaching warm, sunny days, we thought it would be appropriate to discuss one such everlasting trend: going sockless. 

Few other style moves scream Summer as much as a bare ankle, especially if it's tanned to perfection. While women have grown accostumed to the inherent freshness of walking around in an array of sandals and slides, men on the other hand, are restricted to a range of much more protective, so to say, shoe choices. Nonetheless, the following tips to pulling off a "sans" socks look are applicable to both genders.

There's no denying the special appeal and coolness of going sockless, but before doing so one should consider a number of variables. Let's cover the basics:

Working Environment:

No matter how polished you look, it may still not be appropriate for your workplace...  

As much as you want to take the plunge and ditch the socks, take a moment to consider whether or not it suits your corporate or working environment. In the event that you work in a company with more conservative values, or in an industry that due to its specificities (banking, law, corporate management...) requires a specific formal dress code, then this move is not for you.
Hold it until the weekend or casual Fridays to sport it.

Lifestyle:

Your lifestyle can also dictacte whether or not you should avoid socks. Say in your daily routine you walk around for several hours a day in dress shoes: even with invisible socks and proper quality shoes, chances are your feet will take a pounding and add a sense of discomfort. 

Personal Style:

Besides the above "technical" restrictions, your personal style is one of the most important factors when opting to show some ankle. Mind you that the sockless look is casual in nature, meaning it may not match more formal attires, but it can also cause quite antagonistic reactions from other people. As such, if you normally dress up do consider that not wearing socks is a bold move often seen as a close call between stylish and tacky...can you deal with it?

Photo Source: esquire.com