Khaki: salute the new neutral

Is your wardrobe suffering from mid-season, sale-time slump? Are you recovering from an overdose of summer’s sweet but sickly pastels? Welcome to khaki, the refreshing seasonal palette cleanser and easy neutral that is waiting to catapult your wardrobe into autumn. The flattering brown-green shade is ideal mid to late summer. It looks great with a tan, is expert at camouflaging grass stains at festivals and outdoor events, and happily pairs up with practically any shade, especially summer navy, white, black – plus really makes red pop. Utilitarian khaki is always on trend, too – so while the shops are in July’s lacklustre sale-transition limbo, enlist the military vibe to ease your way into the new season.

You’ll find a good selection of utilitarian pieces on the high street, from funky jumpsuits, to on/off-duty shirts, skirts and dresses that will see you through to autumn. And if you haven’t already got one – put an army jacket at the top of your shopping hit list. It’ll add a nonchalant edge to any outfit from jeans (see Sofia Coppola, below) to a slip dress – that perfect ‘I’ve just thrown it on’ summer cover-up. Here is my pick of the khaki pieces that are cutting it right now.

Sofia Coppola works the effortless army jacket

Sofia Coppola works the effortless army jacket