It’s the summer of 2005 and I’m leafing through one of the many glossy magazines that are strewn across my bed. We are at the height of Noughties bohemianism and Sienna Miller is the It-girl of the moment: a vision of floaty tiered dresses, leather circle belts and perfectly undone waves. I, meanwhile, have a questionable side fringe and a pair of Primark Ugg rip-offs that were never the same after a brief altercation with a puddle. My 14-year-old self would do anything to look as cool as Sienna. One day, I thought as I pored over an article about her holiday style, one day I’ll be that glamorous woman wafting around in a crocheted maxi and gladiator sandals. My youthful vision is yet to transpire – and I doubt it ever will.
For anyone else who grew up on a diet of fashion magazines, you’ll know the folklore that exists around “holiday style”. Every year there’s a new spin on the category, but the essentials remain the same: floaty dresses, ditsy florals, raffia accessories, linen fabrics. As a tailoring-lover and winter boot aficionado, I have never been able to align myself with this look – the silhouettes too traditionally feminine, and the “Cali girl” vibe at odds with my city-dweller temperament.
Fast forward to 2022, and with the prevalence of social media, we are still bombarded with images of other people’s jet-set wardrobes. But, rather than the odd paparazzi shot of Sienna, it’s influencers sunning themselves in Barbados in the latest It-bikini, or filtered holiday highlights from your friends and family. We all do it. The pressure to conform to the season’s prevailing beach-side “look” is all too real. Need I remind you of the “hot girl summer” trend?
1. Big Sur styling
The drive along Big Sur was a highlight of the trip, but the changeable weather called for light layers. My Ganni logo tee worn with Monki’s printed trousers made for a low-effort, high-impact pairing, and I finished the look with my favourite H&M fringed jacket (one of my most-worn items on the trip, I might add).