BEYOND THE BASICS:
SUMMER MUST-HAVES FROM A SUN-SEASONED INSIDER
#1 MY ABANICO (hand fan)
Fabulous and functional, the abanico is the ultimate summer statement accessory score! Outside of Spain, my recommendation for authentic wood Pericon-Style hand fans is Etsy. I have and love this one from Amapolas Moras.
#3 A STRAW HAT that STAYS PUT
When boat days beckon, shade matters more than ever, and you need a hat that stays put when things speed up. Featuring a gold chain that secures your chic chapeau at any speed, check out Van Palma‘s Sonny and Livy (pictured) hats, available online or in-store at Maac London.
#4 A STOWAWAY STRAW BEACH BAG
Your fabulous, but hard to pack, structured straw basket bag is not an ideal travel companion.
But is it even summer style without a woven carry-all to complement?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
The good news is that you can keep your look without giving up the space with a soft, foldable woven beach bag that is easy to pack and perfectly suited to those summer-style vibes! A few curated beach-ready carry-all: & Other Stories’ Large Woven Straw Tote , Poetry’s Large Raffia Shoulder Bag, and this raffia tote handmade in Bali.
#5 My TOPTOTE Hat Clip
This little stroke of genius has a loop attachment on one side and a padded high-powered magnetic clip on the other for a harmless hold.
Attach it to the handle of a bag, backpack, or belt loop, safely securing your chicest chapeaux while keeping it safe and hands-free even when it’s not on your head (at the airport, in the dressing room, when you’ve just bought another hat). Available in a variety of colors and styles, my summer pick is the Fray (pictured).
#6 BIAFINE
When it comes to soothing your skin, nothing works like BIAFINE. Intended for burns and skin irritations, BIAFINE is also the only thing that keeps my skin moisturized when I’m high and dry in Aspen. Available only in Europe, this one isn’t easy to get your hands on right away, but it needs to be on your “bring back list” for any European travels you have on the books. Trust me when I tell you, there is nothing better than the feel of BIAFINE on your sun-soaked skin.
P.S. While you may find BIAFINE by name, available in the US, the formulation is not the same.
#7 LINEN
There is nothing more fitting and fabulous to summer style than the cool, crisp feel of this light and lovely fabric. For summer style that feels right while giving off those effortless French girl-fabulous vibes, it’s all about the linen.
A few of my llinen go-to’s for that laisez faire summer look: 120% Lino, & Other Stories, A.L.C., Another Tomorrow, Dissh, Reiss, Zara
And for the super luxe linen and dressier summer scenarios: Brunello Cucinelli, Zimmerman
#8 CLOTHES STEAMER
I say “linen,” and most think “wrinkles.”
Two things:
1. It’s okay for your crisp, cool linen pieces to acquire some fine lines throughout a summer day.
2. You need at least one steamer in your life.
Personally, I do not iron—ever. At home, a professional steamer does all the smoothing. On the go, I rely on my versatile, portable, packable Steamery handheld. I use it all year, but this gadget is never more relevant than in the summer when my relationship with natural, more breathable fabrics (also more wrinkle-prone) gets serious.
You cannot go wrong with any of Steamery’s handheld steamers. Use this guide to find the one best suited to you.
#9 THE VIN GLACÉ WINE CHILLER
No summer gathering is complete without perfectly chilled wine; the Vin Glacé ensures just that. This sleek, stylish chiller keeps your bottle cool for perfect summer sips under the sun. It is also one of my personal gifting go-tos.
#10 MY HOURGLASS TUBING MASCARA
Summer is about effortless beauty (or at least looking like you are effortlessly beautiful). The Hourglass Tubing Mascara actually makes it possible!
This marvelous mascara wraps each lash in a water-resistant, smudge-proof tube that stays put no matter what.
