Can Grey Be a Summer Colour?

Yes, I know summer is the season we pull on our freshest whites, our Mediterranean blues, and our sunset oranges. And while I’m all for playing with colour, especially at this time of year, I still find myself drawn to my usual neutrals: off-white, navy, black, brown, and… grey.

As I’ve leant into grey over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself stopping to ask if this really is a “summer colour”. After all, the UK’s skies may have an almost permanent tinge of grey, but is that really how I want to dress in the warmer months? But then I’ve reminded myself that there are no rules. I wear black without thinking twice, even when the temperature rises to record numbers, so why question grey?

As a bit of reassurance, I did what I often do when I need a little inspiration: I looked to the runways. Lo and behold, there were the sprinklings of grey I’d saved from the SS26 shows (perhaps it’s seeped into my subconscious?).

There was Carven, with its soft grey dresses and blouses, in loose silhouettes that suggest summer ease rather than winter restriction. And there was Dries Van Noten, pairing tulle skirts with grey tops, and showing that a little opaque structure can sit very comfortably beside sheer whimsy.

It made me realise that, really, any colour can work at any time of year, but to make it seasonally appropriate, it’s all in the pieces you choose — and the styling (isn’t it always?).

• Choose soft fabrics. A piece that drapes and hangs effortlessly will always be a good bet in summer, no matter the colour

• Add other colours. Grey can be a bit drab (sorry, grey), but it works as a good ‘pairing’ colour — try wearing it with a blue necklace or a pair of deep red shoes to give it a lift

• Show some skin. This advice is often touted with dressing (especially when it comes to oversized pieces), and it works here, too. A grey long-sleeved top with a pair of shorts that show some leg? Summer in the city perfection

• Add texture. A raffia or basket bag always has a place in my summer wardrobe. They instantly add a bit of visual interest and are useful and hardy. An easy way to give your grey cotton tee a summer makeover

• Lighter greys tend to be easier to work with than dark shades, as they don’t feel quite as heavy (this silk-cotton vest, that's currently on sale, is a good example)

It’s all about the soft, drapey fabrics with this outfit. The T-shirt and skirt are both made from 100% organic cotton, and have easy cuts — the tee, loose and oversized, and the skirt, flexible in how it’s gathered and tied at the waist.

They’re light, summery pieces, even if their shade of grey may not scream “light and summery.” I’ve also added texture with a raffia bag, and the choice of footwear — flip-flops — makes this grey outfit a lot more seasonally appropriate.

This outfit ticks a few boxes from my tips listed above:

• Soft fabric (this top is a light silk-cotton mix)

• Colour pairings, as seen in the green necklace and block-printed sarong

• And a bit of skin, thanks to pushed-up sleeves and bare legs on show

I find the long sleeves on the top help ‘balance’ the bare legs too, especially if you’re not used to/comfortable with showing much leg. I’ll be honest, I haven’t been a mini skirt person in a long time, but this post by Fanny Adams was enough to inspire me to dip back into the mini. Not wanting to fully commit to buying a new piece for my wardrobe though, I folded up my trusty sarong and made that into one instead. Best £13 I’ve ever spent.

Yes, your grey trousers can work in summer — it just depends on the fabric and fit, and what you pair them with. These trousers are made from fluid cotton with buttons at the hem that you can do up or leave open (I tend to do them up to add more shape). In other words, they’re light and easy in a way that my grey wool trousers, which are reserved for winter, could never be. TOAST has a good pair of grey linen trousers here.

Secondly: the pairings. Here we have a blue-and-white striped seersucker shirt from WNU. In 100% organic cotton, it’s light, soft, subtly textured, and very easy to wear. The green beaded necklace and flip-flops only add to that summery vibe.

Like the sarong outfit above, we’ve got a lot of skin on show here, but it’s balanced out with the long-sleeved top. The cornflower-blue shorts instantly bring a summery feel to this look, as do the beaded necklace and a colourful(ish) pair of trainers. That’s the beauty of grey — it really does go with every colour.

Any items marked with * have been gifted by brands. All thoughts, picks and reviews are my own.

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