What to wear this summer
Bootleg Rocstar weighs in on summer fashion trends
Published:Friday | July 15, 2022 | 12:07 AMAaliyah Cunningham/Gleaner Writer
The temperature is rising, the days are getting longer, day parties, brunches and bikinis are in, and sweaters are in the back of the closet. June 21 marked the official start of summer and as wardrobes are being reimagined, fashion stylist and creative director Neko Kelly, popularly known as ‘Bootleg Rocstar’, caught up with Living to talk about what is in for season.
“Say it with me, aura colours!” he said excitedly. “Aura colours are the mixing [of] turquoise and blue, yellow and blue, purple and turquoise, purple and blue, pink and green. It’s literally gonna take over summer. I’ve seen the beginning of the takeover on so many May and June magazine issues and in musician’s promo pictures,” he continued.
Beyond choosing the right colours and prints for outfits, Kelly says that when picking pieces and styles for the period, the focus should be placed on how the clothes will feel.
“Focus on comfort! Summer fashion is effortless and fun, and shouldn’t have you feeling frustrated. The heat is already enough frustration,” he said.
Kelly, who is a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Arts and Culture, has worked with several of Jamaica’s finest celebrities, influencers and artistes, and is known for his stunning work and knowledge of his craft in the local fashion and creative arts scene.
He says that for summer 2022, the must-have items are based on their ability to transition from day to night.
“Keep in mind having key pieces that you can add to your outfit to transition from one event to the next. The days are longer during summer and there are tons of events to attend. Always make sure you have a piece of clothing that can be added to your look, without you having to completely change. A jacket or a button-down shirt, even accessories, can take you from a brunch with friends to a soirée with bae effortlessly,” Kelly told Living.
He also adds that there is no need to break the bank to prepare for the season, as much of the items that people already have in their closets can be repurposed and seamlessly work for the time of year.
“Open your closet and challenge yourself to come up with new outfit ideas from the same clothes you’ve been wearing the same way for the past year. Pair it with something else for a change and see how easy life and fashion becomes. Repurposing pieces from other seasons is a good start. Spending more time in your closet to try on and experiment with clothes might save you thousands,” he explained.
While speaking with Living, he also encouraged people to still remain authentic to their own fashion sense even during the summer, and stressed that putting on a great outfit is an excellent way to take care of yourself.
“Your personal style determines what summer style is. Not everyone is into tropical prints and bright colours. Summer fashion has evolved. Dressing well is serious self-care. It’s a mental health booster. It’s also a great way to honour yourself and to let people know what your standards are, without saying a single word.”