There are lots of lovely things about summer. Sunshine is nice, obviously, if somewhat unpredictable. Meeting up with friends for a buzzy al fresco dinner is one of life’s great joys. Leaving home without lugging a heavy coat onto the Victoria line is another huge warm-weather win.

The light clothes of summer are one of the best things about the season altogether. Breezy summer dresses, delicate lace blouses and laid-back linens are fun and easy to wear.

However, for the clean-lined minimalist in me, this sort of hazy summer fashion is troublesome. It’s not that I don’t want to get on board with this sunshine-inspired styling, it’s just that it can feel a little unstructured. After all, you can’t pull together a look based on ruffles and ditzy floral prints alone.

And that’s where my style hero for the season – the square-toe shoe – comes into its own. This is the pared-back style statement for the minimalist in us all.

The square toe is currently being celebrated on boots, high heels and loafers, but I’ll be adopting it for summer as an easy-to-wear flat. Like all style heroes, the square-toe flat will look great with a variety of outfits. My favourite ways to wear them are with a button-down linen dress, like the Leah from Aligne, or with an oversized white shirt and city shorts for the perfect summer office outfit. It adds much-needed structure to a more flowing look and it’s zeitgeisty – bringing last year’s linen two-piece trend bang up to date. In metallic or white it’s also the perfect wedding guest shoe and will liven up a pretty pastel dress.

Why square-toe shoes will instantly lift your look, according to a fashion director