This feels like a job for a Super Shirt

For Riviera glamour and cool skin, you need a Super Shirt,

The Super Shirt is looser and livelier than a traditional buttondown style; ergo, it’s the perfect, grown-up top for summer. Relaxed over white jeans or Capri pants, this is the way to embrace “Grace Kelly on the Riviera” glamour, even when you’re not venturing further than London’s South Bank. On sweltering days in the city, I often wear one gently tucked into a jersey or silk bias-cut maxi skirt. I say tucked into the skirt, but – depending on the width of the waistband – sometimes it’s held in place by knicker elastic. No matter. The insouciant effect is still the same.

High on Waft Factor, the versatile Super Shirt is an integral part of my summer uniform. Opting for a soupedup design – an asymmetric hem, contrasting print, or mix and match stripes – is the way to elegantly lift an ensemble away from yawniform territory. I’ve mentioned this phenomenon before, but it’s important to emphasise the value of not looking basic in your wardrobe basics. The key is to spend some time uncovering striking pieces; those reliable, hardworking clothes with status that seamlessly move from day into evening and are both comfortable and cool.

As a slightly rebellious teenager (or so I believed at the time), I loved wearing my dad’s oversized shirts with messy hair and a punk attitude. And I find in my 50s I’m drawn to this style again. For me, revisiting an old wardrobe favourite should never be ruled out. I strongly believe that we should dress as we please, not be pigeonholed or restricted. There is something wonderful about seeing an older woman with confidence and grace. Style is a work in progress – and while the backcombed hair has turned grey, the face a bit wrinkled, there are other ways to display that nonchalant spirit.

Now is the time for Super Shirt fans to take a look at Palmer Harding (palmerharding.com), whose attention-grabbing shirts are 50 per cent off in the sale. Other good places to find summer stripes include Mother of Pearl’s collaboration with John Lewis & Partners; the ivory and navy Tencel stripe shirt, £99, is a longline shape with an asymmetric hem.

Jigsaw’s navy and white sailor striped, collarless shirt has a lovely ruffle front, £60, and Arket is the best shop on the high street for oversized, organic cotton poplin shirts, £59 (I own several of these). With Nothing Underneath is a brand founded by ex-Vogue staffer Pip Durell, who was on a mission to find the perfect boyfriend shirt; her cotton poplin shirts in blue and white, and white and grey, are £85.

And it’s always worth looking in the men’s department, I often buy Super Shirts in the Margaret Howell sample sale.

From beach cover-up (if only) to onemetre-plus garden drinks, the shirt’s go-everywhere properties are second to none. Open an extra button, add a French tuck – beloved of gloriously chic Parisian fashion editors and Tan France (the stylist from Queer Eye and Next in Fashion) alike – it’s time to get wafty.

As a teenager, I loved wearing my dad’s oversized shirts

ALYSON WEARS Alyson wears all her own clothes and accessories. White hi-tops, goodnews. london, from £90