Let’s face it — summer fashion used to be a romantic little affair.
The kind of season that made city streets feel like an impromptu catwalk, thanks to floaty dresses and an overall sense of ease.
I still remember a man once telling me how much he looked forward to the moment when summer dresses appeared — like clockwork — on women across town.
A soft breeze, bright prints, and effortless movement.
But somewhere along the way, that charm seems to have been replaced.
Now, when the temperature rises, it’s shorts that dominate — and not always in the best way.
Shorts Are Winning… But At What Cost?
Yes, shorts are comfortable. But flattering? Not always.
I recently saw a Max Mara model strutting down the runway in a pair so tiny, they made headlines — a look inspired by 1940s Italian screen goddess Silvana Mangano.
And sure, on a glam film icon with perfect makeup, those shorts worked.
But in reality? Most of us aren’t channeling vintage film stars on our trip to Sainsbury’s. It’s incredibly hard to look genuinely stylish in shorts.
Alexa Chung can pull them off like a gazelle, but the rest of us are left looking… let’s just say, less than elegant.
Culottes and Confusion
If shorts weren’t enough of a fashion dilemma, this summer has also brought us culottes — those odd hybrids between skirts and trousers.
They’re the middle ground no one really asked for.
Neither chic nor particularly functional, they seem like what you’d get if you let a pair of shorts and school trousers breed.
When Did Men in Shorts Become a Thing?
Somewhere between lockdown and heatwave, men in shorts started popping up in cities, too.
Once reserved for the beach, a garden barbecue, or a sports field, now they’re boarding planes and walking into offices.
And honestly? I’m not sure I’m onboard.
There’s something inherently scruffy about a grown man with bare knees on a packed Tube train.
Shorts over a certain age — say, 12 — should come with a location warning.
Fine for a holiday. Not fine for the Central line.
And Vests? Please, Let’s Not
Just to round off the list of questionable summer staples — let’s talk about vests.
Even if you’re Harry Styles, they scream “wardrobe malfunction” more than “fashion-forward.”
Some things just belong behind closed doors. Or in the gym.
I know, I know — comfort matters. I usually live by the motto: wear what makes you feel good.
But every rule has its exceptions. Incidentally, yes, I’m wearing shorts as I write this. Irony noted.
The AI Debate Over Dinner
I’ve always thought communal dining was a bit of a social gamble — a setup that felt more chaotic than cozy.
So you can imagine my skepticism walking into an old-school London club the other night and being seated at a long, shared table.
But then I met the man sitting next to me. Charismatic, clever, and clearly someone with a finger in many pies — though I can’t reveal exactly which ones.
He wasn’t exactly warm to journalists. In fact, he seemed pretty sure that AI had already taken over our jobs.
When AI Writes Your Column For You
He went so far as to suggest that AI could write this very column.
The next morning, I woke up to a WhatsApp message from him — complete with a sample article titled What Shall We Do With All This Time?
According to his AI-generated wisdom, we’ll all live to 120 and should spend our 70s studying Sanskrit and our 90s becoming ceramic artists.
It even suggested serial monogamy would become the cultural norm.
Not bad, really. Though I must say, it didn’t quite sound like me.
Still, it gave me something to think about — not least because the man sending it turned out to be a fascinating, slightly Machiavellian figure.
One dinner at a communal table, and I’ve started seeing the appeal.
The Spy Chief Who Looks Like a Movie Star
News broke this week that Blaise Metreweli is taking the top seat at MI6 — the first woman ever to do so.
She’s got that cool, piercing look you’d expect from a screen adaptation, and I can already imagine Cate Blanchett playing her in the film.
Let’s be honest — female spies hold a certain mystique. The story practically writes itself.
A Smug Morning Routine Meets a Grumpy Reality Check
On another note — these bright mornings are lovely, aren’t they? The kind of start to the day that makes you feel strangely productive before 7am.
Watering the plants, firing off a few emails, simmering chicken stock — I was feeling pretty pleased with myself.
Until my boyfriend showed up, bleary-eyed and unimpressed.
“Did you not read that article about how doing nothing is better for your health?” he asked.
Honestly, is there a more irritating phrase than “Did you not…”? Probably not.
From Roman Villas to London’s Future Suburbs
Southwark might not be your idea of glamour today, but back in Roman times? It was the place to be.
Archaeologists recently discovered the remains of a Roman villa — complete with mosaics and frescoes — that suggest it was once the Beverly Hills of Londinium.
It does make you wonder: what will future generations think when they dig up our homes? Could somewhere like Enfield be considered the Bel-Air of 2025? Time will tell.
Why I’m Waging War on Canned Wine
Lastly, can we all agree that some things simply don’t belong in cans? Wine is one of them.
I’ve made peace with boxed wine — a trip to friends in France helped me get over my snobbery there. But canned wine? That’s a hard no.
It’s not just a question of aesthetics. It tastes awful.
And no, adding “organic” to the label doesn’t help.
Final Sip
So here we are — a week of questionable fashion, surprising dinner companions, and food for thought about the future.
Whether it’s the shape of wine containers or the lifespan of journalists, I suppose we’re all just trying to figure out what comes next. Preferably in trousers.