JOANNE Watkinson
HOW TO HOLIDAY WITH CONTINENTAL STYLE
French flair, Breton stripes, tres chic... the fashion magazines love to herald French fashion as the best thing since pain au chocolat.
I’m not denying the French do insouciant style with aplomb, one glance at the Instagram of Jeanne Damas, the French model and owner of fashion brand Rouje, will have you reaching for a cropped cardigan and blue jeans.
But we need to take a moment to note just how stylish other Europeans really are on the beach. Spanish, Italians, Greek, Portuguese, Croatians... the list goes on. I often wonder if it’s because people born in warm countries have more practice at warm weather dressing?
One thing all the stylish European women I have spotted abroad have in common with the French is pared-back fashion. No pom poms or tassels, not a palm or tropical print in sight, and nothing embellished or sequinned until after dark, subtle but not plain, low-key but not boring, so what is their secret?
After a week spent hanging around the Mediterranean, I could fill a book with the mental notes I have taken on holiday style. Poring over pictures on the internet is no match for actual people watching (thank goodness for dark sunglasses and wide brimmed hats).
Before I divulge my findings, let me clarify my people watching is never to judge, only to marvel at individual style. Women are fascinating creatures, their clothes reflect so much of who they are and how they want to be seen. Sorry boys, you don’t interest me sartorially.
Where do I start? Let’s kick off with accessories, as no beach look is complete without them, and they aren’t size specific. Think coloured acetate frame sunglasses. Solid colour is tricky and can look novelty, so look for transparent styles in mustard, clear or green – Mango & M&S both have them for under £20.
Moving on to beach bags, go for totes in crochet, rattan, straw and cotton. All the cool girls carried them but they stuck to neutral colours and natural fabric straps. No sequins or initials painted on.
Head to Zara, Arket or Toast to find yours.
Clothes-wise, no one was re-inventing the wheel but I loved it all the same. My favourite look was an oversized shirt worn as a cover-up – transformed into a mini dress with a skinny belt, then tucked into wide trousers or a DIY sarong wrap mini skirt for lunch.
This is my anecdotal evidence served up by the best dressed of Ibiza. I would love
to hear yours.