Summer, Imagined
A long, hot summer of books, snacks and getting dressed
I’ve always been a big daydreamer, prone to staring out of rainy car windows from January onwards imagining the faster, brighter, stronger, better version of me emerging like a butterfly come June. Potentially problematic and ripe for disappointment, yes, but I can’t play down my lifelong penchant for pining for summer. And with said pining, there’s always been an element of character driven make-believe that comes into these summer musings. Who do I want to be? Who is this intoxicating version of myself that’s going to come into existence as soon as it’s 30 degress outside?
I watched Two Weeks in August recently (enjoyed but average) and they made an astute observation; we runaway on holiday but we’re still just us when we get there. Fundamentally yes that’s true, but I think one of the reasons I love holiday dressing so much is the element of playfulness that can come through packing. While I like to think I have a pretty consistent aesthetic, I without doubt approach packing differently depending on where I’m heading. Do I want to be a little bit more refined in Tuscany or, denim hot pants aside, tap into who I was 15 years ago for a trip to Greece? Am I feeling a little extroverted or craving something simple and timeless?
I love this element of playing around with who I want to be when the wheels touch down on hot tarmac. Maybe that’s why I also read so voraciously when I’m away - the right side of my brain is primed and ready for getting immersed in a new world for a day or a week. It’s not a proper holiday if a book or five isn’t read so of course, they too had to feature in this big, bumper summer edit meets grown-up paper dolls.
Dream scenarios and fantastical heady days, the allure of summer dreaming never gets old (why do you think we were all so obsessed with The Summer I Turned Pretty?) so allow me to do exactly that on behalf of all of us.
So yes it’s still just me with the same emotional blockages, same physical hang-ups and same intellectual black holes, but the outfits and the attitude? Well they’re exactly what I pictured at my desk back in February…
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I’m seeing long days and fiery sunsets in Formentera with a ice cold Coke Zero and a some grilled calamari en route.
Balancing on the back of your crush’s scooter with a phone in one hand and a sack of limes in the other for margs back at the villa. (Note, do not under any circumstances do this).
So hot only clothes that barely touch you will do and a book that touches you so much you forget about how hot it is.
The smell of jasmine in the air, the good kind of olives and a dose of literary yearning that makes you want to wistfully stargaze.
Top down in the rented Suzuki jimny with no plans except the playa.
The best table for the best crab linguine of your life.
You’ve done pilates, had a swim in the sea and found an almond milk ice latte all before 10 A.M.
The good kind of foreign supermarket without a single person rushing you.
A great air-dry hair day, a glass of natural wine in hand and a stray cat chooses you for the night.
Hand luggage only, minimal daily decisions and daily hikes to off-the-beaten track beaches.
A boat day followed by getting ID-ed at the bar.
Last swim of the day followed by a pack of Jamon Ruffles on a hot slab of rock.
An untapped antiques market in the perfect white-washed town that you’ll 100% be gatekeeping.
Chat soon, Lxxx
I never wanted this post to end. So dreamy.
I LOVE that you got an orangina in there.