Consider Yourself a Shopper #50: What are we wearing this summer?
Here are the things in my home, in my cart, or simply on my mind….
Even though the weather in New York is anything but summery, the question of what the mood for summer is and what one should be wearing is starting to percolate. Though I haven’t fully tapped into the full picture of summer dressing, I’m getting bursts of inspiration here and there….
So what does one wear? Next to nothing? Maybe. But I keep thinking about clothes that feel like a whisper. Even though it’s still about a month away, I’m heading to Martha’s Vineyard for the first time. It’s finally happening, hooray. I’ve been thinking about what I want to bring, and I keep landing on the idea that I only want clothes that can be thrashed around, lived in, and possibly get wet. What’s funny is that when I think about getting dressed for summer, I’m less interested in the clothes themselves and more focused on what I can actually do in them. Will they restrict me? Will I need to bring a second pair of shoes? I want pieces that won’t interfere with the experience. They just need to support it.
On the clothing front, I’m gravitating, of course, toward tube tops (which I mentioned on Sunday). I’m also being drawn to those kinds of dresses that would easily find a home in Victoria Ratliff’s closet. Basically, the quintessential vacation dress—something in linen or cotton with a bit of pattern, sometimes slightly washed out. Very much in that Johanna Ortiz or Silvia Tcherassi kind of feel. On the other side of the dress spectrum, I’m still very into the sheer, slightly lingerie-inspired frocks. In some cases, the better word for them might be boudoir dresses. Something floaty and romantic, ideally made from cotton or a cotton-silk blend that moves with the breeze.
For bags, I’m still very much into my straw, raffia, and basket type of bags. But I’ve also been toying with the idea of a net bag. It feels like a smart option for the beach—something light and easy that can hold a book, a piece of fruit, and some sunscreen. And speaking of bags, if you’ve been eyeing those Emanuele Pantanella wooden bags or scouring the internet for Rafael Sanchez, have you looked into Silvia Furmanovich’s?
As for jewelry, I’ve been leaning into daintier pieces, like the new PDPAOLA bracelet that just launched on At Present—which I’m especially excited about because I helped scout the brand for the site. What I love about this particular bracelet is that even though it’s delicate, the pavé and gold still make it feel impactful. The price point is also fantastic. I included them in last year’s gift guide for exactly that reason—it’s one of those everyday investment pieces that won’t break the bank. On the flip side, I’ve also been into these beaded necklaces that are just asking for a pendant.
And as for shoes, let’s just say my sandal wish list has officially gotten out of hand. Exhibit A, exhibit B, exhibit C...
To quickly pivot from summer outfit planning to a few things I saw last week and this week:
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my favorites, Renato Cipullo, who was previewing his latest collaboration with his daughter Serena. The collection builds on the flame motif, a symbol of the Latin phrase amor fati, or “love of fate.” There were also some striking platinum pieces, which felt like a refreshing alternative to gold, especially with prices still being so high. I meant to take a photo of Renato’s look but forgot. He was wearing Armani, a green crocodile western belt, and, if I’m not mistaken, a Daytona. A very suave man indeed.
Benedetta Dubini showing me the amazonite. That same day, I saw some beautiful coin jewelry from Dubini. What really sets these pieces apart is the signature use of cabochons around the settings, along with the use of colorful stones. One Imperial Roman coin was set into a vibrant piece of amazonite, and the combination was truly striking.
I also stopped by the Acne store on Greene Street to check out a few pieces by Jonathan Lyndon Chase and ended up getting distracted by a few runway looks. Some of the silhouettes reminded me of the doll-like shapes we saw at Marc Jacobs this season. There was a plaid shrunken blazer that seemed better suited for transitional weather than the heat of summer, and a padded denim skirt that had the same appeal.
That’s it from me for today. Actually, one more thing. I wore this skirt last Thursday, and everywhere I went someone asked me about it. So for those who were wondering, here it is.
See you all Sunday.
XX
JJ
Had so much fun savoring this! I love both your recommendations and the way we get a flavor of how you discover. And even what gets you deliciously distracted! 😘
Wondering what you think of Jellys and who has the most comfortable and not sweaty