It was of course David Beckham that spelt the end for the sarong, or - as he said himself more recently - maybe he was ahead of the trend. The former footballer famously attracted international attention when he wore a sarong over his jeans during the 1998 World Cup, and most of it was pretty unfavourable. The rise of kaftan also didn't help the cause, and for many moons the sarong disappeared from the wardrobes of the fashion crowd.

Fast forward to summer 2019 and the sarong is back, but this time round it's not just beach-bound. This season's new iterations are to be worn in the city - to work, then out for the evening, either with T-shirts or shirts, heels or sandals. At Oscar de la Renta, designers Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia styled their fringed version with a voluminous white blouse, while Paco Rabanne's silk style was paired with a tie-dye T-shirt. Balenciaga's floral version was elevated to office-appropriate when worn with a blue roll-neck and Dries Van Noten's check sarong was similarly work-ready with a blue shirt.

It's not just the luxury set who have turned to the sarong. & Other Stories, Whistles and Kitri have followed suit, thanks to its universally flattering appeal and ease of movement. Think of it as a a knotted version of the now pervasive midi skirts with thigh slits, or a modern alternative to a wrap skirt. Fabrications are key - a silk incarnation will work better for evening than a cotton or linen style, for example - as is length. A below-the-knee or midi sarong will feel more city-appropriate than a mini length: Balenciaga's electric blue maxi style is case in point.