According to the meteorological calendar, summer doesn’t officially start until 1 June, while the astronomical schedule puts it even later in the month, at the point of the solstice. But, frankly, we can’t wait that long. The desire to dress up, and to express ourselves through our clothes, feels more pressing and palpable than ever, with this spirit of optimism being felt, worn and touched in a heady, hazy fantasy of exuberant colour, eclectic prints and light, luxurious fabrics.

“I sense that people are going to want to express themselves in a very upbeat and positive way to match the mood of the moment,” says Mr Dan May, MR PORTER’s Contributing Fashion Editor, co-founder of beach-friendly brand SMR Days and the man responsible for the carefree styling in this story. May believes that “joy” is the key word we’re hoping to communicate with our wardrobes this season: “Guys will look to push their own boundaries a little and experiment with new ideas.”

Which brings us to this series of photographs, a postcard-worthy manifestation of our dream summer wardrobe, drawn from brands such as JW Anderson, Lemaire and our own label, Mr P. Shot in Oualidia, a small town on the coast of Morocco known for its abundance of fresh oysters, clear-blue lagoons and terracotta hills, our summer of 2021 capsule is worn by Mr Patrice Kouadio, a model and creative director based in the country.

May’s advice is that endorphin-friendly colours such as the popping pink of the cardigan by Mr P. (which May says was his favourite piece on the day), Marni’s mohair sweater and the sunshine yellow SAINT LAURENT jacket will be the order of the season. Even something small but bright, such as a pair of eye-catching socks, can be a mood booster, he advises. “For me, some colour in your outfit feels positive from the moment you open your wardrobe. It makes a statement of intent for your day.”