No more! No more meetings, no more emails, no more endless and sterile appointments with asphyxiating clients. It’s time to leave the dullness and stress far behind. Above all, the spring and the confinement are no longer a bad memory.
By Raphaël Sagodira
You threw your pumps into a corner, Jules has wisely arranged his richelieus with the beautiful shoe trees that you offered to him. You are leaving the day after tomorrow: it is necessary to prepare the bags. Alas, frightened in front of your dressing room, fists on the hips, your observation is implacable. If “the Glory is first of all a beautiful beach”, it is out of the question that you parade victorious on the sand in the same seersucker swimsuit from last year. Behind you, it’s not much more brilliant : Jules gauges his old chino which was – once – raspberry colored. It’s time to renew your outfits: you need to draw up an order of battle.
The hitch: how to find inspiration when most of the fashion shows of including the highly anticipated Chanel cruise show in Capri ? If you don’t have the courage to invoke the spirit of the late Lagerfeld and if – horror – you did not receive Vogue’s valuable advice during the lockdown, you will have to change your approach this year: get back to basics. For this summer, no eccentricity: prefer natural materials, the pastel colors and simple cuts. Convinced, you remove his chino hands to put it back on the pile of clothes to be donated and you sigh. It is better to start with him.
You first took care to slip in his suitcase a linen suit for your fancy dinners; at least, a blue blazer bright with patch pockets, in braid. Never wear with blue swim shorts marine, what a crazy idea, finally! For the rest, everything will be built around the shoes: he will absolutely need moccasins, or better unlined, comfortable and colorful car shoes. He can wear them with or without socks – but in this case insist that he wears socks invisible. Two pairs of espadrilles will complete the set and flip-flops will be confined to the spa. For the shirts, it will be necessary to have at least five, with two polo shirts. If the latter are made of white cotton immaculate – get rid of the rest! -the shirts will be white or light blue, in linen or cotton. Take a pale rose too, for the breakfast of the Sunday morning. Make sure to take shirts with a soft collar, or buttoned in a pinch. If he sulks and threatens to wear only the polo shirts, bat your eyes and remind him that he looks great with the shirt sleeves rolled up on his bare forearms. Bonus: he is allowed to unbutton two buttons of his shirt, this time. Discreetly get rid of the blue shirts navy or too dark: Jules is not yet part of the Cosa Nostra.
For the pants, it’s simple. Play with the epinal images: you want to see him as an explorer, at the helm of his sailboat? A nice chino and beige or almond milk cotton shorts will do the trick. Ask for them with side adjusters, to be worn without belt. He will be very happy with the simplicity of use. Make sure that the short does not exceed mid-thigh, unless your other half likes to fish, the cargo pockets and no longer cares that much about you. The pants will be cut short and you will have asked for generous reversals. If you are seasick and more like an iced limoncello with an Italian-style Jules, it’s time to will be able to have some white, string or sky blue linen pants. Beware: linen is heavy, is ironed before being worn and is then worn casually when it crumples.
Now it’s your turn. You will also be entitled to the freshness of the flax, but yours will be lighter than the trade winds and will be your main asset this season. White, cream, pale pink or emerald green will be the colors that will perfectly compose your unstructured and over-size dresses – but I personally prefer wrap dresses, which are easy to undo. Whether your dresses are plain or patterned, but no black, especially! Just now, a carmine smile whispered in my ear that the White polka dots and floral patterns are still all the rage. Why not, in a small way dose, on a slit skirt for example, but not on the swimsuits which are will be united this season. In any case: run away from the infamous zebra pattern that makes for a very bad Instagram. It is quite simple: the patterns will be either on your clothes, or on your accessories.
Complete the ensemble with square-heeled sandals or, better yet, wedge espadrilles or light leather flat sandals. Your bag will be as small and light as possible, made of linen, cotton or straw. You can even have the biggest braided cape your head can handle. The height of chic? Use one of your Jules’ Hermes ties as a hat band – also works with your own squares for those who might have qualms. Be careful not to let your hat fly off when Jules accelerates at the wheel of his Spider Duetto Alfa Romeo. Jewelry is rare – beach oblige – but essential in the evening: you deserve a touch of glamour for dinner – but a touch is enough. Your stockings stayed at home, only the tan dresses your legs. Enjoy it: it’s love at the beach.
(Cover illustration: Maestylo)
