Gin martinis and Euro summer styling tips: inside Esquire and Orlebar Brown's resort 2024/25 celebration

On a recent evening, we teamed up with the iconic British brand for an intimate styling session, martinis and plenty of snacks. See photographer Ryan Cullen's photo diary of the event here

By Amy Campbell

Published: May 28, 2024

The Maitan Silk shirt in petal print is part of Orlebar Brown’s resort 2024/25 collection. Photography: Ryan Cullen

THE EUROPEAN SUMMER might feel like a long, long way away (and geographically, it is), but a few weeks ago, inside Orlebar Brown’s Martin Place store, the warm Mediterranean sunshine felt near. Gin martinis and Yuzu tonics were being served; green olive and anchovy skewers were being enjoyed and the conversation didn’t centre around the cold autumn evening outside — the talk of the party was Orlebar Brown’s resort 2024/25 collection, and the tips Esquire would share on how to style pieces from it.

The brief was ‘what to wear this European summer,’ which, according to our creative director Grant Pearce, who hosted the styling session, should be very different to what you might wear out to Bondi on the weekend. Because while your regular surf brand boardies might pass the Aussie summer test, when it comes to spending July in the Med, you’ll want to finesse your fit game to blend in with the locals.

And what better brand to elevate your fit game with than Orlebar Brown? While England isn’t exactly famous for its destination beaches, the English sure know how to skip to Greece, Italy or Portugal for the weekend, and hence, in this British brand’s resort collections we trust. And its newest collection is no exception. As we learned in the styling session, the Maitan Silk shirt in petal print is all you need to elevate a pair of cotton-linen trousers for a late dinner overlooking the sea, while its iconic Bulldog boardshorts, which, true to European tastes, run a little shorter than our typical knee-knockers, are the only swim shorts you need in your suitcase.

The night’s real conversation starter, however, was Orlebar Brown’s Larson stripe sneakers. Known as the ‘Shoe You Can Swim In’, their open-mesh weave outer and perforated insole allow for quick drainage, so that you can gallop across those pebbly Croatian shores without feeling like you’re walking on hot coals. Given perforated textures are having a fashion moment right now, the Larson sneakers also hit all the right aesthetics.

At the end of the styling session, everyone in the room felt pretty inspired to pack their bags and board the next flight north. Of course, this is easier said than done. But if you don’t have a holiday to Puglia or Hydra booked, don’t fret: you can still wear this collection to Bondi. You’ll simply be the best dressed person there.

For photographer Ryan Cullen’s full photo diary of the night, which includes some very photogenic shots of the drinks by Four Pillars Gin and spread by Lia Townsend of Stories to Gather, scroll on.