SUMMER NIGHTS
Photo: Kate Moss by Mario Sorrenti, Harper's Bazaar 1997
We're officially in the dog days of summer, and though it seems like it's zooming by this year, I remind myself that summer is a state of mind, so whether you're in the city like me (prepping for Fashion Week and working on this new blog for you of course), or still away in some gorgeous slice of heaven, read on for some musings on styling for the last of Summer Nights. x
MAIN LOOK, centre image:
*TOTEME black satin knot shirtdress
CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER-RIGHT:
ALIGHEIRI gold hoop earrings
ERES, Les Essentials string bikini top
KHAITE Olivia large raffia bag. (Also available in a smaller size which is really cute, and with a slightly different handle here.)
MAISON LOUIS MARIE, Bois de Balincourt perfume oil, and candle
THE ROW, CITY flip flop. and if you’re a lucky size 36.5 go to TheRealReal right now and snag these before someone else does! I would say these run true to size. (NOT PICTURED: Also love these affordable satin flip flops from A.EMERY.)
ALIGHEIRI, gold disc pendant. (NOT PICTURED: Also LOVING this long pendant necklace from TOTEME which is on my wishlist, and would look great hanging long with a bikini top. Or this amazing find from JIL SANDER at theREALREAL.)
THE SATIN SHIRTDRESS
The other night when meeting a friend at Cecconi's, I wore my new black TOTEME satin shirtdress. With its sarong-style self-tie situation at the waist and languid ease, my friend was so convinced of its multi-use functionality, that she bought it right then and there, sitting at the bar! Though I already knew the dress was a winner the moment I pulled it out of the box, my friend's enthusiasm was all the validation I needed - most of the time we just want to wear something that's comfy, chic, a little sexy in a non-overt way, made out of a beautiful fabric that feels good against your skin, so with that in mind...
…this TOTEME dress, which is on sale (hooray!) at FARFETCH here, and SSENSE here, it's a quintessential LBD - in my world that's a "Long Black Dress". I wore it unbuttoned down to there with a simple bikini top underneath (summer nights after all; but there's a high probability I'll be wearing it later in the year with a thin black turtleneck underneath👌🏻). A long gold pendant necklace (or two or three stacked at different lengths) and some interesting gold earrings finish it off, and this amazing Khaite raffia bag is my summer fave - gigantic but weighs nothing. And of course it wouldn't be summer 2024 without the ubiquitous minimal flip flop, obviously the only ones you will ever need that are the best investment, think buy and wear for years to come, are by THE ROW, these are 'the CITY' style and waayyy more comfortable than the Ginza, which is basically like dragging a brick around by your toes. I've been totally living in the CITY all summer and they just work with everything, some sizes still available so dont hesitate…
Also wanted to mention, Maison Louie Marie which make one of my fave candles, Bois de Balincourt, also have a roll-on perfume oil of the same name, which is absolutely divine and the most intoxicating scent, the kind that when people hug you, they pull away going 'you smell so good, what is that scent?', which is the best compliment. Highly recommend the oil AND the candle, which you should stock in quantities as they make the best hostess gifts!
MAIN LOOK, centre image: THE ROW prefall24 black dress, and white wide leg pants
CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER-RIGHT:
JACQUEMUS gold cuff bracelet
KHAITE black minidress
MATTEAU white fisherman pants. (NOT PICTURED: love the look but don't care for a paperbag waist? The best white jeans i'm loving right now - organic and wide leg from ANOTHER TOMORROW (a few sizes still avaialable, hurry!) and the coolest Phoebe Philo cargo dupe from denim brand HAIKURE)
BOTTEGA VENETA Solstice shoulder bag
THE ROW Charm beach sandals, a few sizes still available at LUISAVIAROMA, and SELFRIDGE'S. (NOT PICTURED: I love The Row for a lot of reasons, one of which is that when they know they've got a good thing, they offer it in multiple functional forms, so the same sandal comes in a 'city' version with leather straps and a small stacked heel, a few sizes left at MYTHERESA.)
TOTEME black knot skirt a few still available at SSENSE and FARFETCH
LOULOU STUDIO white tank top. (NOT PICTURED: My other favorite tank which I have in black and white is the Espera from TOTEME which is pretty much perfect, and you can still wear a bra without stressing about the straps)
ACNE STUDIOS white cotton poplin shirt
ANINE BING gold chunky hoop earrings
COSTA BRAZIL shimmering body oil (also love their face serum, which is great for gua sha and face massage)
BLACK AND WHITE
Like a very stylish friend of mine once famously said "Black and White, the only two colors that really matter", lol. If you're not totally sure about the dress above, the geniuses at TOTEME also offer a skirt version, with the same sarong-self-tie at the waist. Side note: I'm OBSESSED with sarongs, in fact, if I wasn't committed to FirstOption this summer, i would have been on some beach somewhere wearing nothing but bathing suits and sarongs (I’ll have to wait to share this valuable content until the next time I’m beach bound), so when there's an elevated sarong vibe from one of my favorite brands in one of my favorite fabrics, black satin, I'm in. I'd dial it down with a great white tank top, and a white cotton shirt, worn open with with the sleeves rolled up for instant ease, gold chunky hoops, and the best variation on a flip flop, also from THE ROW with gold disc hardware which makes the whole thing just look more elevated. Finally, tie it all together with the most comfortable shoulder bag from BOTTEGA with white top-stitching and simple gold hardware, so cool.
A drool-worthy look from THE ROW which I've had pinned to my inspo wall since they showed their Prefall’24 runway show a year ago, is a black scoop neck LBD styled over wide leg white pants. I've always loved a dress-over-pants moment, so chic, so comfortable, so easy! The key is proportions and fabric, you don't want it to be bulky or heavy, the idea is that it's loose and louche, a great fashion word that's hard to define, think 'exuding an air of nonchalance; glamorous with an underlying sense of rebelliousness or unconventionality.' Especially love styled with a big gold cuff or bangle, worn high up on the forearm.
The black Khaite minidress on this board is also a great little number that's adorable on its own if you've got the legs, but has the right silhouette for layering as well.
Not so much for the layering trend? These white MATTEAU fisherman pants that you can tie in a multitude of ways with a simple black tank top - my fave from TOTEME here - is also a great look, and these pants will carry right through Labor Day with yummy sweaters for the weekends. (fall inspo to come...). But wait, it's still August, let's not rush too far ahead, you still have a tan and need to show it off. Trust me, if you haven't gotten into body oil yet, you're missing out. This one from COSTA BRAZIL is beeee-yond!! Leaves you shimmering, radiant and gorgeous. 🤩
MAIN LOOK, centre image: THE ROW Farissa dress in cotton and cashmere
CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER-RIGHT:
ETSY Black Onyx disk necklace
SOPHIE BUHAI black onyx crevice pendant necklace. (NOT PICTURED: Take a cue from THE ROW and add a black bangle on the wrist - love this affordable one from ALEXIS BITTAR, and this is also a good dupe.)
LOULOU STUDIO black leather pouch
THE ROW newsboy cap. (BUY NOW, wear all year and forever)
KHAITE Otto stud-embellished slides
HERMES Chypre sandals
BITE STUDIOS wool silk blazer (NOT PICTURED: STELLA MCCARTNEY does a really good job with suiting and this double-breasted blazer is pretty much perfect. Also, I bought this one from NILI LOTAN a few months ago and LOVE it for its strong shoulders, a few sizes still available at SAKS and MYTHERESA)
(NOT PICTURED: I'm obsessed with this new lip tint from VICTORIA BECKHAM, which I have in BISOU. It totally reminds me of an iconic dark berry lip and cheek balm from Prescriptives in the late 90s, though I can't remember the name, anyone? (fun fact: I worked the Prescriptives makeup counter back then and even considered pursuing a career as a makeup artist.)
A LONG BLACK DRESS
Leave it to THE ROW to make the simplest of things feel so desirable, the LBD, or Long Black Dress can be the workhorse of your summer wardrobe - throw it over a bathing suit for lunch, leggings on your way to and from workout class, wear with a white shirt and/or black blazer to the office or anywhere where they crank the AC, with some fabulous jewelry for dinner out, etc etc, it’s all about styling and accessorizing.
It starts with just a simple sleeveless black dress, and something tied around the waist - a sweater will do of course, but you could also tie an unbuttoned shirt, or take a cue from a stylist and tie a blazer in front, creating an artful or sculptural shape!
INSPIRATION
Side note: My former boss and mentor, the legendary stylist and Vogue editor Camilla Nickerson, who passed along much sartorial wisdom, once casually tied a coat around her waist and set off a trend that has been copied a million times over- it's a styling trick that not only looks cool, but also helps a girl go hands-free even when she needs an extra layer on hand to go from sweltering outside to ice box inside.
Photo: MARIO SORRENTI
Interesting and unexpected black jade , obsidian stone or onyx jewelry give it a real vibe, and so would a newsboy cap worn back to front, à la the ROW. A certain Olsen is married to artist Louis Eisner, who’s mother is Lisa Eisner, the briliant jewelry designer who’s incredible pieces are available here, price upon request, so probably a small fortune but really they’re small works of art. A quick search on Etsy though could have you supporting an independent jewelry designer for the look-for-less. Throw on some uber-luxe Chypre sandals from HERMES which I'm dying for right now (so cool with socks in the fall too!), or KHAITE's stud-embellished Otto slides for some extra oomph. A soft black pouch to complement all the texture and shape, and a swipe of Victoria Beckham's Bitten lip tint in BISOU and you're done!
NEED SOME MORE INSPO FOR LBDs? HERE ARE A FEW MORE BEFORE YOU GO:
1) Can't justify the price tag for cashmere? THE ROW's got you with this ribbed version which is basically an elongated tank top, love. Or this one in a size small avaialble on theREALREAL!! or this one which is an elongated T-shirt if you want more arm coverage!
2) LOEWE's answer to the tank dress has strategic draping around the waist with a gold button, that makes it easier to wear for curvy bodies
3) Also love KHAITE'S LBD that has some artftul soft draping in the design and more coverage, which would look really good with something tied around the waist, adding even more sculptural dimension
4) This breathable organic cotton version from ethical brand ANOTHER TOMORROW, has a lot more ease around the body and would be great for super hot days, and as a beach coverup
5) ANOTHER TOMORROW with another winner in this seamed slip dress with pockets!
6) Finally, this simple LBD from new label ATTERSEE has a clever twist in the back, and also comes as tank top
I hope you got some ideas for what to wear on Summer Nights for what’s left of August - a whole week, unless you’re a naturalist like me and consider Sept 22nd, the autumnal equinox, the official end of summer - and how to style any LBD you have in your closet, or new ones that will carry you through fall!
If you have some time this weekend, you might consider trying on all of your fall coats, reassessing what you can get rid of and what you might still want/need (trenchcoats, leather jackets, bombers, blazers - content to come!), and seeing if anything needs to be dry-cleaned or altered; i’’ll be making a drop-off this week, knowing it’s going to cool off pretty soon.
I leave you with two things:
One, this really great podcast about the power of slowing down and staying really mindful in our lives, with author Gabby Bernstein. I think this is a really important and relevant conversation, as the last days of summer are slipping away and the gravitational force of all that is to come starts to bear down on us, we could all do with a reminder to slow down, be more mindful and present with what is before us, and savor the good stuff. Check it out, it resonated a lot with me as I sometimes struggle with anxiety and stress burnout.
and Two, this super catchy tune while you shop, I've been playing it on repeat for weeks and it’s à propos for my first shopping blog post!
Happy end-of-Summer, let me know what you think, i can't wait to hear from you!
Love you and thanks for reading!! Natasha xx
"You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather." Pema Chödrön
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