Summer dressing is a delicate sport. Too much structure and you’re sweating through it; too little and you look like you’ve given up. Wax London’s latest collection, The Last Resort, finds that tricky middle ground and gets comfortable there: soft, easy pieces that carry you from city heat to coastal breeze without so much as a button undone.
It’s all about ease. The silhouettes are relaxed but not sloppy, the fabrics are breathable but still have presence, and the palette is pitch-perfect: washed-out yellows, sun-faded terracottas, pastel blues, hits of green and plenty of pattern. As usual, the clothes are designed in London but seem to be daydreaming of somewhere else – a lazy coastal bar in Lisbon, maybe, or a week-long escape in Sicily where time moves at a slower pace.
The Last Resort collection: Key pieces
At the heart of the collection is the short-sleeve shirt – Wax’s bread and butter. The Didcot, a staple by now, returns in waffle knits, prints, and embroidered styles. But there are new arrivals too: the Bartlett, which hangs boxier and more laid-back, and the Keats, a slightly more structured alternative that would work with loafers or espadrilles depending on the vibe. Each comes with matching shorts or trousers, offering the kind of effortless coordination that doesn’t scream for attention but still looks like you’ve got your life together.
Then there are the soft knits, the striped revere collar polos, and the embroidered five-panel caps – all the small details that give the collection its personality. It’s retro, but not costumey. Stylish, but never too serious. Think mid-‘90s Ralph Lauren meets Peckham.
The whole thing feels like a mood board for a better summer. In short, it’s Wax doing what Wax does best: making characterful everyday clothes for those who appreciate the little details.
The Last Resort is available now online and in Wax London’s Soho, Covent Garden and Spitalfields stores. Prices from £45.
Next up: The best summer clothes for men.
