Vacation clothes
Vacation clothes are a lark: lightweight, lighthearted, usually simple, always packable.
I don't drop serious money on summer-holiday wear: the season is short, and why worry about dribbling vinaigrette on a $300 top? But neither do I want to look like a retired gym teacher in dependable khaki. And the days of tying on a little sarong are over; I need more cover.
I've discovered clothes by Lilikoi, sold at a neighbourhood boutique (Any Direct Flight, for Torontonians), other shops and on their web site.
Lilikoi pieces are the intersection of interesting, functional and witty. A top like the Karina ($110), of viscose made from bamboo, looks relaxedl but not sloppy. Okay, not cheap, but its virtues are many: hand-printed, from a super-green company and well-made by decently-paid people in Nelson, B.C.. My oldest Lilikoi looks great after three summers. Sizing XS to XXL.
Rose Gar
den dress, available in red, grey or black, $162. Wear to a seaside restuarant or city museum. And so much more comfortable on a plane than pants.
Not all Li
likoi pieces are printed; here's the Flamenco skirt, $132 in bamboo, organic cotton and spandex. Feels like baby clothes (in a good way). Grey, black and ivory.
I don't like to carry jewelry on vacation, so usually take one pair with screw backs that stay put during any activity and dangles for evening.
But if shopping for one versatile pair to wear with everything, I'd pick these Gurhan silver and gold hoops, 1 1/8 inch diameter, $525 from Twist.
Or I'd wear Ross-Simons' 1 3/4-inch diameter turquoise hoops capped in 14k, price $125 (and 25% off), essence-of-summer against black, white, colours.
When touring in the sun, a hat is wise. But I have left some costly chapeaux on chairs. Here's a good-looking packable straw cloche, the Cloche Belle (Style PA02). Not as massive as a huge-brimmed hat, so fits into your handbag, and it's only $16, from Berkeley Hat.
This witty Albertus Swanepoel hat is the other end of the spend spectrum, at $950 (from Barney's), a sly wink of a hat. Borrow the brio and add a bright band and flower to your Cloche Belle.
Pile everything into a sunny orange "Casiana" leather tote, $399 from Floto.
Bon voyage!
I don't drop serious money on summer-holiday wear: the season is short, and why worry about dribbling vinaigrette on a $300 top? But neither do I want to look like a retired gym teacher in dependable khaki. And the days of tying on a little sarong are over; I need more cover.
I've discovered clothes by Lilikoi, sold at a neighbourhood boutique (Any Direct Flight, for Torontonians), other shops and on their web site.
Lilikoi pieces are the intersection of interesting, functional and witty. A top like the Karina ($110), of viscose made from bamboo, looks relaxedl but not sloppy. Okay, not cheap, but its virtues are many: hand-printed, from a super-green company and well-made by decently-paid people in Nelson, B.C.. My oldest Lilikoi looks great after three summers. Sizing XS to XXL.
Rose Gar
den dress, available in red, grey or black, $162. Wear to a seaside restuarant or city museum. And so much more comfortable on a plane than pants.Not all Li
likoi pieces are printed; here's the Flamenco skirt, $132 in bamboo, organic cotton and spandex. Feels like baby clothes (in a good way). Grey, black and ivory.I don't like to carry jewelry on vacation, so usually take one pair with screw backs that stay put during any activity and dangles for evening.
But if shopping for one versatile pair to wear with everything, I'd pick these Gurhan silver and gold hoops, 1 1/8 inch diameter, $525 from Twist.
Or I'd wear Ross-Simons' 1 3/4-inch diameter turquoise hoops capped in 14k, price $125 (and 25% off), essence-of-summer against black, white, colours.
When touring in the sun, a hat is wise. But I have left some costly chapeaux on chairs. Here's a good-looking packable straw cloche, the Cloche Belle (Style PA02). Not as massive as a huge-brimmed hat, so fits into your handbag, and it's only $16, from Berkeley Hat.
This witty Albertus Swanepoel hat is the other end of the spend spectrum, at $950 (from Barney's), a sly wink of a hat. Borrow the brio and add a bright band and flower to your Cloche Belle.
Pile everything into a sunny orange "Casiana" leather tote, $399 from Floto.Bon voyage!
Comments
Unfortunately the cloche - perfect for cycling in Amsterdam on a sunny day - doesn't come in sizes. I didn't have any luck at the downtown Bay store here but will look at Simon's, a small local chain (headquartered in Quebec City) that has very nice accessories.
Metscan, Copenhagen (urban cycling again) is the closest I've been to your country. These clothes are beautifully packable.
It isn't clear if it is possible to order clothing items directly from Lilikoi.
I agree with Metscan about traveling being a celebration and hence wanting the nice stuff. No longer practical or wise in this day and age. It always seemed that packing was a balancing act, when I traveled. Thank you Duchesse for helping find ways to navigate the waters between "at home best" and "tourist togs".
I've learned, metscan, that you are devoted to your animals so do not travel much but I am *sure* when you do, you are divinely stylish.
lagatta: You could absolutely wear them in a casual workplace. Simons is a good bet- a matter of finding a relatively open weave with stretch.
mardel: I'm a fan of Lilikoi and dammit, their styles would suit your pearls :)
Simons also has nice lingerie, but only XS and S remined in the summer gown I liked. They are contemplating opening branches in Ottawa and Toronto. They must have good buyers, as they have nice styles not seen everywhere, for a mid-point price: www.simons.ca They have a lot of own-branded garments, which alas is no longer the case for the more upscale Ogilvy and Holt Renfrew.
There is a hat store on St-Denis now, have you been there?