Last September, I asked an honest question: What comes after Pucci summer? At the time, I used the query to transition into talking all things autumn dressing — but now, I pose the same thought with summer’s peak just ahead.
Fortunately, the answer is quite obvious.
While myself and so many other sartorialists rolled their eyes at the notion of “Pucci summer”, there’s no denying that, for the masses, last season sparked a love affair with bright, vivid pattern play. And I’m all for leaning in to seasonal attire, as we’ve discussed. I’m just not into glamorizing one brand until everyone is spending their last dollar on pieces they wouldn’t normally look twice at, then tossing them a mere year later.
[No Pucci hate here, to be clear. I am, as luck would have it, at a press preview for a Pucci auction as we speak. If you want to bid on anything, here is the link. I probably will. There are some great pieces!]
If you’re tossing impulse-purchased Pucci this summer, shame on you. And don’t you dare look at the girls sporting their Missoni knits this season. You can’t tempt yourself all over again!
Pucci psychedelics and Missoni chevrons aside, what’s come after Pucci summer really is a summer that’s all about bold patterns and prints. And while quite a few are having a moment, I believe one reigns supreme above the rest.
First, let’s chat runner-ups. Polka dots? I’ve welcomed them back with open arms. Madras? So preppy-chic! Bandana print? Let the record show Olivia Marcus of Check the Bag was shopping Call It By Your Name long before the rest of us knew the power of a good paisley motif!
While you were debating an overpriced sundress with a vaguely Pucci-reminiscent print, the coolest girls you know were stocking up on stripes in combo colors that would make your head spin.
At this point, they could visit every beach in Italy and show up in a baby tee or micro short bearing the exact same stripes as every umbrella they come across. Now that’s power!
Seriously, though. Cabana stripes are in. And while “stripes for summer” might seem a bit “florals for spring” at first, you’ll find there’s a lot to love here.
Cabana stripes are either one bright color sharply contrasting crisp white (a la this H&M A-Line Dress), or multi-colored circus hues that feel whimsical, but never childish (cue Staud’s Port Tote Bag). Ideally, the stripes themselves are either consistently wide and thick (see: Reformation Lucia Tote Bag), or a mix of fat and thin in alternating colors (like those La Veste Pippi Pants all over your feed).
If Abbode’s coming-soon striped terry pouches and this unreal gown from Hutch are any indication, the cabana stripe trend is just getting started. My take? If you can’t book a Euro summer getaway under a stripey umbrella, you might as well dress like one. Or two, or three!
When I was in Nantucket last month, I had the all-too-fleeting opportunity to use a well-maintained poolside outdoor shower. On a warm day under sunny skies? Bliss! Sadly, by the time I had a minute to rinse off, the weather turned, and the moment had passed me by.
I’ve been romanticizing The Outdoor Shower That Could’ve Been ever since. Which products would I have lugged into the great outdoors for such an occasion? Below, a breakdown of my summer shower routine — all very lug-worthy.
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Body Cleansing Balm, which I hardly expected to love as much as I do. It has the perfect amount of lather and spa-like scent to make me feel squeaky clean in just the right way. When I’ve got the time, I rub some on and glide my House of Balance Dojagi Gua Sha along my body to stimulate circulation and help with lymphatic drainage. It’s luxe!
For le privates, I prefer a bar soap over a body wash. The Megababe Bidet Bar is my favorite of the moment. Dermatologist- and gynecologist-approved for your bum and your bits.
If I’m shaving, I’ve got the EOS Cashmere Shave Oil at the ready. This has completely replaced shaving creams for me, and it really helps my razor glide. BTW, I use the men’s Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide Razor. I haven’t found a women’s razor that compares. I don’t even understand why these are gendered to begin with.
Once my shower is complete, I shut off the water and squeeze out some Cyklar In-Shower Body Oil Balm to rub on before I dry off. This really seals in moisture and helps my skin look and feel supple. It’s a year-round favorite!
I tend to load up on styling creams and dry shampoos when I’m rocking my summertime waves, so a pre-cleanse or detoxifying step is a mustto break down buildup. Right now, I use the nozzle tip to squirt some of the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Detox Kombucha Rinse into a few partings and scrub it in, then rinse out after a few minutes. It makes a massive difference.
My summer hair wash combo has been consistent for the last few years: the Bumble and bumble Seaweed Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner. Nothing encourages my natural wave to dry to beachy mermaid perfection quite like this combo. Followed by the post-wash Air Dry Cream scrunch? Chef’s kiss.
If I’m not air-drying my hair and I just want to show my strands some love, I’ll opt for some extra nourishment and swap my conditioner for the Dove Beauty Intensive Repair 10-in-1 Serum Hair Mask. This is a fabulous mask, so long as you use a tiny bit and don’t leave it in for more than one minute. I was proud to partner with Dove when it first launched, and I’ve probably purchased three or four tubs since. Highly recommend it!
I have very little cleanser loyalty, but right now, Tatcha’s The Matcha Foam Cleanser is my gel cleanser of choice, in and out of the shower. I usually remove my makeup in the shower (bad!) so I try to double cleanse. This is a great first rinse — or the only rinse, if I’m makeup-free.
The Personal Day Full Clarity Cleansing Powder is a favorite for when I want a really “clean-feeling” second cleanse. I shake out some powder — make sure this isn’t resting too close to the showerhead, as the steam could turn the powder inside the packaging to mush — and it suds up into the most delightful foam.
On the occasion that I want to use a physical exfoliant, it’s the Elemis Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator for me. This unique formula is both an exfoliating balm and a hydrating milk, so it’s safe to use without risking skin scrubbed raw.
Forget the iconic Boat and Tote — apparently, it’s Boat Pouch Summer. When creator Newman Parker popped up on my For You Page with a video about Bottega Veneta’s beloved Andiamo Clutch, I almost scrolled past.
While the popular silhouette is beautiful, I don’t see it properly styled often, and I don’t think the dramatic east-west cut makes it a practical bag for the masses. It feels more formal than most folks really need, and it doesn’t fit anything at all.
It’s nice, but it’s not my vibe!
But in this particular TikTok, Parker showed what I can only describe as an Andiamo rejiggered into an equally-chic, actually-practical clutch alternative: the Andiamo Boat Pouch.
Not only is this thing a fraction of the price — the Boat Pouch is $1,850, the Andiamo Clutch is $3,700 — I find it to be a significantly better clutch overall. It’s got the same exact gold knot hardware and signature Intrecciato nappa leather, but it’s genuinely cuter! It fits a ton more, but isn’t a weird size at all for clutch-carrying occasions! It has built in card slots and a key ring!
It feels like this might’ve been a discarded first draft they tried to elevated, only to revisit the original concept and realize they’d had it right the first time. In fact, the only things I don’t like about it are that it’s only made in Black and Alabaster, and that both colorways are currently unavailable.
I’ll be watching to see if the popularity around Parker’s video — which has just over 200K views at present — impacts the price of the Boat Pouch when it does come back in stock. Many designer brands are known for upping the price when a piece gains popularity, but here’s hoping this bag stays IYKYK for at least a little while longer.
…A place I always want to be! As a wannabe Marni girl, it would be cruel of me not to show you some snaps from last week’s Marni press preview for SS27 Vol. 1.
If I were slightly cooler and significantly richer, I’m convinced Marni would be the only brand I’d wear. Every single piece spoke to me.
Can I get a little commotion for the chocolate Kat Slingbacks with the bright yellow laces? Divine! While Marni always manages to nail what I can only describe as the Manic Pixie Dream Art Teacher aesthetic, my favorite thing the brand does is challenge my expectations on color theory.
Whenever I’m certain two colors shouldn’t belong together, there’s a Marni piece that sandwiches them together and makes them seem so right. Truly, they get me every time.
Unfortunately, none of the pieces I peeked at last week are available yet, but the current selection strikes similar notes of bewilderingly blasé whimsy. See below for some favorites:
Desigual partnered with summer pop princess Zara Larsson to promote a summer collection, and nobody moved. I can’t figure out why! The pieces are so good — and this mirrored wrap skirt is Exhibit A. With a bikini on and “Midnight Sun” blasting? To the beach!
Mugler dropped the Grown Ass Woman version of the sparkly, summer-scented B&BW body mists you spritzed ceaselessly as a tween. Meet Starlicious Pineapple Musk, a shimmering hair and body mist with notes of pineapple accord, creamy coconut, and warm musk. We love her.
Great basic alert: I just bought this top from H&M in two colors (brown and cream) and I’m debating this khaki, too. It hugs in at the waist, but it isn’t tight, and the asymmetrical sleeves feel intentional and cool. Ten steps above the average knit tee — and for only $24.99!
And now, the cutest thing to ever happen to kitchen attire: Hill House Home partnered with Williams Sonoma to create nap dress aprons. Has a better concept ever existed? They’re basically just backless nap dresses with sweet, blousy bow-tie closures, and I need to plan an entire dinner party just to have an excuse to wear mine (maybe I need a few things from the rest of the collection, too).
That’s all for now. Our July mood board will be with you later this week. Til then!
x BGF
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