The best thing about summer holidays? The beach. The second best thing? Being able to throw a shirt over a bikini and call yourself “dressed”. Not to mention being able to skip the foundation and the hot tools. Not only does beauty take a holiday when the mercury rises, your wardrobe gets to dial it down a notch, too. Here are my new season style essentials – and the beauty basics to go with them.
1. THE WHITE MAN-STYLE SHIRT
No capsule wardrobe is complete without a white shirt…
and this season, the style is crisp, slouchy and looks stolen from the boys’ closet. This oversized point-collar shirt by Raey (from Matches Fashion) is perfection. I love it unbuttoned and thrown over a swimsuit (this one is by Heidi Klum) for the beach – it protects you from the sun and looks super fresh at the same time. For evening, dress it up with a mini and gold earrings.
2. THE EMBELLISHED SANDAL
BEC & BRIDGE DRESS AND GIO SEPPO SANDALS
When getting dressed is too hard – pair basics with bold shoes.
Just like black is the ultimate failsafe, in high summer white can also be a starting point whenever you’re at a loss for what to wear. However ‘white on white’ lacks the attitude that black on black innately carries. You need statement accessories. Enter the embellished sandal. I love these Gio Seppo Pom Pom sandals – they work equally as well on the sand as they would at a private beach bar.
3. THE GINGHAM BIKINI AND ROUND SUNGLASSES
POPPY DELEVINGNE FOR SOLID AND STRIPED BIKINI AND ROUND RAY BANS
Gingham has a childlike nostalgia about it that I love,
In fact, I’m a sucker for checks in every iteration. Give me gingham, tartan or plaid, there’s just something so fresh and classic about these prints. I’m obsessed with Poppy Delevingne’s Solid & Striped Bikini, which I pair with another nostalgic piece – the round Raybans. They add insta-cool to any outfit.
It’s the LBD of the swimwear world and there’s one to suit every woman.
There are so many styles and all it takes is a bit of trickery with a few ruffles, plunges or cutaways to cheat your way to a more slender shape or more bodaceous curves. I love this Zimmermann Oleander Lattice Flutter One Piece – the deep lace-up plunge, ruffled waist and mesh panels are oh-so-sexy and give me more shape just where I need it. Just add fake tan.
4. THE DENIM SKIRT AND THE NEOPRENE BAG
LOVER DENIM SKIRT, SPELL OLIVIA LUXE LACE BLOUSE AND THE GRACE COLLECTION NEOPRENE TOTE
Neoprene bags are summer’s most versatile accessory…
So I’m thrilled that my dear friend Georgie Abay, editor of The GraceTales has just launched The Grace Collection. These colour-blocked wetsuit-material totes are the perfect size, and I love all three colour-ways. They go seamlessly from the gym to the beach and beyond – and I love how great they are for toting baby’s and kids stuff, too. Denim skirts need no explanation – they are the ultimate easy summer separate – more pulled together than denim shorts and cooler than jeans. This A-Line style by Lover (worn here with the Spell & The Gypsy Collective Olivia Blouse) has the added appeal of gold hardware, so can be dressed up even more.
6. THE STRAW BOATER
FALLEN BROKEN STREET BOATER AND PAMPELONE NATALIA DRESS
It’s essential that you find a hat that you love. Keep looking, it’s out there.
So many women think they can’t wear hats, but they are the number one best protection against sun damage. WAY more effective than sunscreen. And there are so many gorgeous styles on the market now. I love this Straw Boater from Fallen Broken Street (worn here with the Pampelone Natalia Dress) the quality is beautiful and it’s lasted me many a trip to the beach.
6. THE BEAUTY ESSENTIALS
ON THE SAND: SACHAJUAN HAIR IN THE SUN, RENUTRIV SERUM, MECCA SUNBRELLA AND ELIZABETH ARDEN 8 HOUR BODY OIL
For the beach, you need a good sunscreen and a hair mask, at bare minimum.
I love Sachajuan Hair In The Sun– it’s a gorgeous hair mask that protects your precious colour from UV and the drying effects of chlorine and salt water. For sunscreen – my current favourite is SunBum 30 + Spray – it’s super speedy and smells nice. Mecca Cosmetica’s new Sunbrella is pretty fab too – you can just spritz on your face on-the-go. After the beach, and a nice cool shower, it’s all about body oil – try cult classic Nuxe Oil Prodigiuese or Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream All Over Miracle Oil and slather up some beautiful skincare with Estee Lauder ReNutriv Serum (launching soon) and Vanessa Megan Intensive Organic Night Repair Oil. Now, get thee to your nearest beach, kick back and relaaaaax.
OUR CURRENT SUNSCREEN CRUSH? SUNBUM 30+ SPRAY
Story by Sigourney Cantelo; Photography by Alice Mahran; Hair and Makeup by Veronika Moreira.
Shelly
Where were those amazing pictures taken on the rocks?
sigourney
Hi Shelly, At Tamarama Beach in Sydney x
Bec
I’m glad to see denim skirts making a comeback, they’re my favourite go-to summer piece.
Robyn
How does this Sachajuan hair mask work? Do you use it in the shower or afterwards?
sigourney
Hi Robyn, You use it as a protective mask while you’re at the beach = ideally before you swim x
Vicki
That Zimmerman black one piece!!! Is it too late to ask Santa to bring this? 😉
Sigourney
Totally – it’s amazing!
meagantso
Hi Sigourney! Does that zimmermann bikini fit true to size or did you size down or up?
Sigourney
Hi Meagan, It was true to size for me x