Forget that we are in exam term for a second, and take comfort in the fact that in a few weeks, you will be able to emerge from your sweaty, note-taking chrysalis, to emerge a well-dressed summer butterfly, when there are more important things in life than the function of criticism, or calculus.

Of course, I don’t fancy baring acres of pale flesh that were safely hidden away under sweatpants (handy in disguising an arse that has moulded to the shape of a library chair). Summer is that time of dubious clothing when, for several months, the nation dresses like a bunch of loons .

This is the season that year after year, produces such cheeky fashion ‘gems’ as male sarongs, gypsy skirts, and all

Exam term demands fierce concentration, but for those of us who want to escape the city, fashion offers the chance to in this summer's elaborate dresses. Inspired by vintage, why not go one better than the high street and dig about in your mum's wardrobe?

manners of VPL. Chuck in the male urge to shed his shirt and flaunt his paunch gratuitously, and you have a grisly image of the great British Summer.

Things on the High Street are nigh-on unwearable, unless your fashion inspiration is an unwashed earth-mother, (so MANY smock dresses) or a playful man-child (I’ve seen high-waisted shorts, and no jokes, romper suits).

But there is some joy to be found in summer dressing, especially if you say no to vom-inducing pastels. Fabrics are light, airy and fall around the frame nicely, something I am going to take advantage of before Autumn brings back dresses that are so tight, they will induce involuntary liposuction.

When the sun is out, everyone looks brighter and better, and I intend to relish this by throwing any concept of decency or style out the window. You can don wide-brimmed hats and saucer-sized sunglasses all the time, without resembling a complete tool, and sport colours and prints so garish, they cause minor road accidents and small children and animals to cower in fear.

Fancy donning hot pants for a jaunt to Sainsburys? Why not, when Kate Moss is seen in a bin-liner/fedora combo at Glastonbury. I am dreaming wistfully of a magical time, when short shorts are always appropriate, and the focus is on being comfortable rather than cutting edge.

So trowel on the fake tan, and look forward to the great escape of summer, when fashion is carefree and on holiday.

Escaping from work? Make fashion your escapism...

Photographed by Dan Marmot
Styled by Bea Wilford, Iona Carter and Lauren Smith.