If we’re lucky—and we have been in recent weeks—summertime in Vancouver means temperatures so high that sporting anything other than our lightest T-shirt and shorts seems unbearable.

But ’tis the season for weddings, barbecues, and the odd garden party, which means (occasionally) putting some thought and effort into our attire. (Plus, it never hurts to experiment a bit with our wardrobe—especially after the sun goes down, when we can get dressed without looking like we just exited a sauna.)

Ahead, we’ve consulted the pros at Leone (757 West Hastings Street), one of Vancouver’s premier purveyors of designer fashions—which just happens to be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year—for the summer trends that are marking both runways and racks in case you’re in need of a little sartorial inspo.

Ruffled up

No longer are ruffles reserved for stuffy Victorian tops and the fluffy princess frocks of your childhood: the frilly detail gets a sophisticated makeover this season on women’s skirts, blouses, and even sweatshirts. “There’s definitely some femininity running throughout the collections,” says buyer Micarl Lim.

Ladies: toughen up the look by pairing a tiered dress with combat boots, for example, or throwing a leather jacket atop a ruffle jumpsuit during cool summer evenings. It’s an easy way to add some romanticism—and movement—to your ’fit without going full girly girl.

Cold shoulder

From rompers to cropped Ts to swimwear, the off-the-shoulder trend continues to ride high in women’s fashion. To add some interest to your ensemble, however, ditch the typical OTS look you’ve likely been rocking and opt for tops with cutouts at the shoulder that show off small peeks of skin instead.

“Back in the ’80s, Donna Karan started that open-shoulder look, but it was more with bodysuits,” says Lim. “Now, the open shoulder is on sweaters, dresses, and blouses.” The womenswear buyer adds that the style is one of the most versatile for summer: its modesty makes it a flattering—and forgiving—look for all ages and body types.

Dressy denim

Embellished and embroidered denim isn’t going away anytime soon. Articles like pinafores, pants, and dresses crafted from the true-blue cotton are easy to wear—and breathable—in high temps, states Lim, and are amped up in playfulness when decorated with intricate needlework and ornamentation.

The buyer says that designer labels such as Miu Miu have all gotten in on the trend, crafting denim jackets and jumpers with accents like pearl detailing. “We have this beautiful Alexander McQueen denim dress in stock right now with floral embroidery,” she adds. “It’s absolutely stunning.”

Red hot

Forget summery pastels and tropical hues: as a precursor to fall, red is making a big splash in the menswear department, notes buyer Bernhard Mantai. Look for a true poppy red that leans more blue than orange and pair it with leather details for added edge.

The colour is drenching casual and athleisure wear, in particular, though more polished items like cardigans—Mantai points out a Versace piece—are also saturated in the shade. “When you think cardigan, you might think ‘old man’,” he says. “But the fact that it’s in this wonderful colour really gives it a lot of youth appeal.”

Soft suede

Suede may not be the first fabric that comes to mind in the heat, but according to Mantai, the material is making its presence known in biker-style jackets and blazers. The coats are always unlined, he says, with zero padding, lending them a looser, laid-back vibe that works well for summer. “If you didn’t look closely, you might actually think it was a cotton-jersey jacket or something,” he says.

The fabric is also popping up in select apparel and accessories for women. As a nighttime cover, adds Mantai, suede is an apt choice for those interested in a more dressed-up feel. “You might go for something like this over a nylon jacket because it does have that luxurious sensibility to it.”