There's a particular kind of August panic that sets in when linen feels too casual, silk feels too precious and everything else feels too heavy. Enter crepe: the fabric that has been quietly solving this problem for decades without ever making a fuss about it. With its softly crinkled surface, barely-there weight and extraordinary ability to drape without clinging, crepe is the under-the-radar answer to the most difficult weeks of the dressing calendar. Consider this your introduction — or your long-overdue reacquaintance.
Crepe at a glance
- Texture: Fine, subtly pebbly surface that diffuses light beautifully and disguises creases
- Weight: Lightweight to mid-weight depending on fibre content — ideal for warm days and cool evenings
- Drape: Fluid and forgiving, skimming the body rather than clinging
- Versatility: Works equally well for desk dressing, weekend wear and evening occasions
- Care: Most modern crepe blends are machine-washable — always check your label
- Season: A genuine all-rounder, but at its very best from July through to October
Why crepe works so well right now
Late summer dressing is genuinely difficult. The temperatures are unpredictable — sweltering by noon, noticeably cooler by seven — and the occasions are layered: al fresco lunches that bleed into evening plans, office weeks punctuated by weekend trips. What you need is a fabric that can hold its own across all of it without demanding constant attention. Crepe earns that trust through its construction. The twisted yarns at its core give it a gentle crêpe-paper texture that keeps the fabric lifted away from the skin, allowing air to circulate even when the thermometer climbs. That same texture means it doesn't broadcast every crease after a long day — a quality that is genuinely priceless in August.
There is also something about the surface of crepe that feels considered without being overdressed. It catches light differently from a flat weave, lending even the simplest silhouette a quiet polish. A sleeveless crepe top Ivy Sleeveless Lace Top worn with tailored wide-leg trousers reads as effortlessly put-together in a way that its cotton equivalent simply doesn't. That is the particular magic of a fabric that has visual intelligence built in — you spend less time thinking about your outfit and more time getting on with your day.
Three ways to style crepe this August
1. The polished day look. Pair a sleek crepe top with high-waisted tailored trousers and barely-there flat sandals. The key is restraint — let the fabric do the talking. Tuck the top in fully, add a simple gold chain and call it done. A slim-fit silhouette Jade Lace V-Neck Slim-Fit Top works particularly well here, keeping the proportions clean and modern without veering into corporate territory.
2. The elevated casual. Crepe tops layer beautifully over straight-cut jeans in a deep indigo or stone wash. The contrast between the polished fabric and relaxed denim is the whole point — wear it half-tucked, one side only, for an off-duty ease that still looks deliberate. Add block-heeled mules or low-top trainers and a structured tote to keep the balance. A lace-trimmed tank Jessica Lace Trim Tank Top adds just enough decorative interest to make the combination feel more than the sum of its parts.
3. The evening transition. When the sun drops, crepe's drapey quality comes into its own. Swap your daytime trousers for a fluid midi skirt, reach for a sculpted crepe top with an interesting neckline Maureen Inclined Shoulder Lace Top, and layer a cropped trench or a lightweight puffer Ellie Lightweight Puffer Jacket over the top as insurance against the evening chill. Strappy heeled sandals, a clutch and a bold earring take you the rest of the way.
Colour and finishing touches. For late summer, work within a palette of warm neutrals — ivory, sand, warm taupe — or lean into the season's deep tones: rich cobalt, forest green, a burnished terracotta. Crepe absorbs dye beautifully, so colour always looks saturated and intentional. On footwear, the fabric suits everything from pointed kitten heels to clean white trainers; resist overcomplicating the shoe choice. For layering in the evening, opt for pieces in similar weights so the overall look stays fluid.
Shop the edit
Our current selection leans into everything that makes late-summer dressing worth the effort: delicate lace detailing, considered necklines and silhouettes cut to flatter without constraining. Whether you're building a new-season wardrobe from scratch or simply filling a gap, the pieces below are the ones to reach for first. From a refined Jade Lace V-Neck Slim-Fit Top slim-fit top ideal for desk-to-dinner, to a versatile sleeveless style Ivy Sleeveless Lace Top that layers as easily as it stands alone — there is something here for every version of your August.
Carrying crepe into the next season
One of crepe's most practical qualities is its longevity within a wardrobe — this is not a fabric that retires in September. As temperatures ease, the same tops that saw you through August evenings transition seamlessly under a tailored blazer or beneath a fine-knit cardigan. Invest in at least one piece in a neutral and one in a deeper tone, and you will find yourself reaching for both well into autumn. Crepe rewards commitment: the more you wear it, the more naturally it drapes, and the more effortless the whole thing looks.
