Good news fashion babies; I’m back! I’ve kept my pearly white skin in pristine condition whilst holidaying in Portugal and I’ve kept my eyes wide open searching for bits from across Europe to share with you.
My first entries in this week’s Wishlist Wednesday are pre-hol essentials, as we’re pretending I haven’t left yet. Initially spotted in the spa (and later on every nail in Europe); cool classic ‘Tiffany Blue’ is the hottest manicure shade this season, and you can pick it up for as little as £2 from Boots. If you’re an active nail-polisher (unlike me – I own less than 5 polishes and 3 of those have dried up..) then invest in this little set from Orly for three summery shades.
My second essential – and I’ve covered these before – is a PANAMA HAT! This beauty is a men’s piece from Lock & Co Hatters at Mr Porter and would set you back a pricey £850, however you can pick them up from street markets for as little as £8. If you’re going to take good care of yours and have therefore set yourself a larger budget then check out the options on My Wardrobe and Net-A-Porter, as they’ve got a few snazzy reductions.
Holidaying for women this season is all about two things: pastels, and looking like you’ve rolled up your father’s cricket clothes. Chino shorts and buttoned-up shirts are in; focus on the androgynous styles marketed by Paul Smith and modelled by stars like Alexa Chung. This sleeveless Thomas Pink shirt is the perfect girly take on smart style – if you’re really daring then invest in an oversized men’s dress shirt from the same brand. You won’t regret it.
These cute chino shorts are the perfect holiday staple – treading the thin line between well-cut and playful, the ‘sailors are not cowards’ pirate print on the pockets is adorable and can be hidden or shown to the world as you prefer. They might be from the ‘teen girls’ collection but don’t let that put you off – they’re available in most UK sizes and the price:quality ratio beats H&M by miles.
I almost blew my entire holiday budget in Gatwick Airport over Longchamp’s newest bowling bag however, in retrospect, I’m glad I didn’t because this studded beauty from Pull and Bear (they’re becoming quite a feature, aren’t they!) is an utter bargain at under £30. It might not be leather but it’s well-made and super-trendy – the perfect statement against summer 2012’s watercolour palette. The inner pockets are perfect for stashing your holiday essentials and the strap can be detached at will, making it the perfect hands-on and hands-free holiday accessory.
These Hilfiger espadrilles are perfect for men who still divide their holiday wardrobe between smart shoes and flip flops.. the slip on style makes them easy for a trip to the beach, they can be folded up and shoved in a bag, and the checked print will still look suave underneath chinos for a seaside dinner date. Throw your flip flops away for good measure – they’re never a good idea!