A Cool & Colourful Influencer Shares Her Summer Style Rules

/ 26 June 2024

A Cool & Colourful Influencer Shares Her Summer Style Rules

Portuguese influencer Mafalda Patricio is the ultimate Lisbon cool girl. A fan of colour, print and fun details, she’s been sharing her looks on Instagram since 2017 – and now, more than 165,000 people tune in to see what she’s wearing. That's why we jumped at the chance to find out more about how she approaches personal style…

Sapna Rao

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@MAFALDAPATRICIO

Understand your style pillars. Mine are happy, colourful and fun, but we’re constantly exposed to new trends and new ways of dressing these days – so I take tips and ideas from it all and then find ways to weave it into my looks. Because of this, I rarely stick to a formula per se. I love the flexibility and fluidity of getting dressed and I end up in a different outfit every day because I’m in a different mood.

Start by finding your favourite shades. It’s important to understand which colours suit you best. Green is one of mine – so I’ve been wearing it more lately. I also like to get creative with it and figure out which colours work with it. For example, I love green with pink, or green with red. I’m also really into blue and orange together.

I prefer trends that offer VERSATILITY AND LONGEVITY, rather than fleeting styles.

Mix bolder shades with neutrals. It’s the easiest way to start incorporating more colour into your wardrobe. After incorporating the bold colour with neutral colours like white, black, and beige, start to mix two bold colours together and so on.

Find reliable brands and stick with them. My ride-or-die brands all have colour and print in common. I’m really into Finnish band Marimekko at the moment. Similarly, Sea NY is another favourite – it does some beautiful dresses. Independent fashion label Siedres is amazing. When it comes to swim, Peony Swim, Triangl, Isla De Lobos, Solid & Striped and Medina Swimwear are my heroes.

@MAFALDAPATRICIO

Don’t be afraid to discover new brands. I love small brand Carmen Says; it’s perfect for summer. Elsewhere, the Portuguese brand BYou and Mustique are both very cool – and so is Hofmann Copenhagen. The brands I most associate with being fun and colourful are Stine Goya, Lisa Corti, Baum Und Pferdgarten and Bobo Choses.

Don’t be afraid to follow trends. Just do it selectively. I always think about whether a trend aligns with my personal style and if it can be integrated into my existing wardrobe. I prefer trends that offer versatility and longevity, rather than fleeting styles. Also, my rule is to blend the trendier pieces with my more classic pieces to keep the looks feeling current but still timeless.

Curate a collection of summer heroes. Mine are predominantly accessories. First would be my Chanel Mary Janes which I wear practically every day. They just go with everything – plus, there are plenty of similar styles on the high street if they’re not within budget. Sunglasses are another favourite. My go-to pair is from my collaboration with Fora Sunglasses. A basket bag from Muuñ and a pretty hair accessory from CuratedBYTomasa are also staples during the warmer months.

@MAFALDAPATRICIO

Pay close attention to your fabrics. It’s not all about wearing less when it’s hot. Instead, choose lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen to stay cool but stylish.

Prioritise comfort. If you’re comfortable, you’ll naturally look chicer and more confident. Second, invest in quality over quantity – a few well-made pieces are better than a closet full of fast fashion. Third, stay true to your personal style. Trends come and go, but your unique touch is what sets you apart. Lastly, accessorise thoughtfully. The right accessories can transform a simple outfit into a standout look.

If you’re COMFORTABLE, you’ll naturally LOOK CHICER and MORE CONFIDENT.

Experiment and play. For me absolutely nothing is off the table in fashion, and I don’t really follow rules when it comes to mixing and matching colour. It really depends on my mood. Some days I don’t like certain colours, and other days I love them. It always varies, but I think I like lots of different combinations.

Dress in layers to add interest. This is one of the easiest ways to make your outfit more fun. Then, always add accessories with a story, whether it’s a hair clip, sunglasses, a scarf – something that gives the look a personal touch.

Finally, stay inspired. Leandra Medine is definitely my biggest style inspiration – and I'm clearly not the only one. I also love Alice Pilate, Inês Isaías and Lucy Williams for the way they wear clothes in such a way that feels unquestionably ‘them’.

Follow @MafaldaPatricio on Instagram.