When I go to Spain next month for my (much needed!) summer holidays, I’ll be scouting out local designers to showcase here. But before I even get there, before I start figuring out what on earth to pack? I’ve been thinking about sensible shopping.
Buying in accordance with wisdom and (some) prudence has become my North Star this year. Long gone be the days of impulse buying!
Sensible shopping means looking ahead. Enjoying good judgment and reason, to emotionally connect with your clothes, and how you wear them. Once I started hammering that notion into my head, I was ready to dive in.
I need practical and functional pieces with a decorative flair. I don’t want to miss out on the joy of clothes with pizzazz, and I really just need a variety of garments that work on and off duty.
For that, I tend to stray away from the utilitarian. Perhaps it’s the political climate, or that it’s an election year, but I feel a rejection of military clothes when I dress to feel good.
Here’s my catch of the day amongst a sea of tactical pieces available, artfully arranged and in style.
Flip-Flops, Thongs, Foot-Slapping Sandals
Hacking back to the millennium, a time when the minimalist high-end of the 90s was being overshadowed by the casual noughties, surfing, and the early Internet, Rainbow sandals were all the rage!
These leather, happy, beach-bum favorites are back, and the surfers are roaring with joy. Surfer Today, an online publication for surfing news writes, “Surf sandals connect us to the place we call home. When we're at the beach, we're in tune with the elements.”
Aside from being a critic’s pick, Rainbow’s look even better with age. Plus, flip-flops and a suit? All signs point to a solid, yes!
But when the occasion calls for a leather heel, Vogue’s Liana Satenstein has you covered with a zingy piece announcing the return of thong wedges. I highly recommend it, it’s packed with life quotes.
“Remember: When your feet are in order, so are your affairs” -Liana Satenstein.
With the right amount of edge, Tory Burch flip-flops are a suited pick: simple, easy, and handsome sandals. I like the idea of a black or white sandal, pearly shoes and good leather bases. Those studded Balenciaga flip-flops really pump up the look.
10. GETTING AWAY: Airfare to Menorca, Spain
How to describe Menorca? It’s one of three Balearic islands nestled in the Mediterranean Sea, and is known as the low-key neighbour of Mallorca and Ibiza. This is my third summer going back. The Island has a mix of wild and exotic flair, and it’s not yet overcrowded or bluntly expensive. It has all you want from the Balearics without the overcrowding and high-octane party atmosphere. You can travel there with kids, or with a group of friends that want to vibe.
Enjoy sunset dinner at the Bambú Zen Garden overlooking the Mediterranean sea during sunset. As the night lingers, it gets dressy and festive.
11. A Striped Beach Towel
The beach towel can be a contentious topic when it comes to summer shopping. Terry towels are great for light and practical packing. But if you’re going to a destination, and if you’re like me and don’t like renting sun beds, then lean for the stripe plush towel. My favorite brand for bed and bathroom linens is Bonsoirs. This knit swallows every drop, and it’s soft like a cloud. I highly recommend.
12. Boat Shoes
When millennials and Miu Miu unpacked their bags this year, they came back with the Boat Shoes. The once cringe shoe is ‘24s It Summer Shoe. This brushed brown pair has been treated for water splashes and is on the more classic preppy side. For a little more elegance, check out this suede pair.
13. Jewelry Piece Add
With the advent of the Pharrell look at Vuitton, a statement ring was needed. Nothing that screams brand but is still quick, this Onyx ring is a statement of style and rock n’ roll.
14. Tangy Swim Shorts
Dries Van Notes officially retired this year, which sprung a hop on the vintage that’s to come. Get the original designer pieces while they last before the brand is passed on to a new creative hand. Dries is a designer from another world. Because it was never huge, to begin with, it has always been the if you know, you know of clothes.
Subversive Casual Dressing
Ah—Linens! I could go on for days. We see a lot of these shirts in the streets of Paris, and linen dresses in New York. Perhaps it’s no secret that linens are summer’s go-to intermix-and-sober fabric for the everyday. They’re now worn tucked into shorts, untucked over pants, oversized, tented, unbuttoned at the top and bottom, casually and uplifting. Linens are one of those cool fabrics where sweat has sex appeal. They’re the new Oxford summer shirt, and when you dip your toes in the classics, subversively preppy.
I found affordable linens from J.Crew, the men’s section of Club Monaco, and Uniqlo that can be worn unisex. What I love about this fabric is the breathability: check out the Bungalow embroidered top for every day in the city, or the deck, and the slip for a more dressed-up affair that’s not shy about practicality. Guys—check out the royal blue short-sleeve from Loewe and the Ralph Lauren work shirt.
What I was shocked to find out in producing this market report was the lack of color and pattern when it came to women’s linens. You can easily find blacks, beiges, whites, and olives from quality brands. The Row’s linen and silk blend cocktail dress is a great sleek find, although expensive ($3000!).
The silhouette is on point. If you’re out for an event dress—The Row is the place to go. Reformation, too, with the right accessories, you can balance the jazz into the frocks and wear them into fall.
Jacquemus has a wonderful inventory of summer hats (the old raffia, the new linen?), and don’t forget about the fun, playful, and sexy Boho-Chic comeback of the Chloé girl.
Once you’ve got the basics, Rails, the LA-based brand has more compelling shopping staples for your inner surfer: crocheted tops and sinuous lines set for every season.
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Great selection! Thanks for posting real boat shoes!
Have resisted the siren call of flip flops for the last few years because I am not a flip flop girl at heart (last time I wore them was high school and I am 35 so that was a while ago hahaha) so I don’t want to buy them just for a trend but god, phoebe really came for my throat with that photo!!! 🫠 might finally cave