No better time than now

As we enter the halfway point of the year. It's time to slow down, take a break and recharge, before taking on the next six months. One of our favourite ways to wind down: surrounding ourselves with sun, sand and sea at an idyllic destination. Where the days are blissfully long and dressing up takes on a lighter, cooler complexion.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

As we enter the halfway point of the year. It's time to slow down, take a break and recharge, before taking on the next six months. One of our favourite ways to wind down: surrounding ourselves with sun, sand and sea at an idyllic destination. Where the days are blissfully long and dressing up takes on a lighter, cooler complexion.

Shot on location MONTIGO RESORTS, NONGSA
Photography assistant CHERYL RAHARJO styling assistant ANGELA CHU
Grooming & makeup JOHN LEE @FAC3INC USING CHANEL hair EILEEN KOH, 
USING KELVIN MURPHY models VIOLETTA E./MANNEQUIN & NICOLO N./UPFRONT
Shot on location MONTIGO RESORTS, NONGSA Photography assistant CHERYL RAHARJO styling assistant ANGELA CHU Grooming & makeup JOHN LEE @FAC3INC USING CHANEL hair EILEEN KOH, USING KELVIN MURPHY models VIOLETTA E./MANNEQUIN & NICOLO N./UPFRONT

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Take a pre-dinner stroll down the boardwalk in ensembles that are effortlessly elegant. A polo tee and chinos are easily dressed up with leather sneakers, and a sharp blazer in a striking hue. For her, a flowy dress with outsized florals, paired with sandals, makes for elevated style that looks right at home in the great outdoors.

(on him) Cotton blend blazer, cotton polo tee and cotton-blend trousers, from Hugo Boss. Leather shoes, from Berluti.

(on her) Silk and sequin dress, and leather sandals, from Dolce & Gabbana

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MAKING WAVES

Shorter shorts might be having a moment right now but, unless you have been spending all your spare time at the gym, we advise a slightly longer length that hits right above the knees. For a dressier look, try shorts made from materials such as silk, like the pair shown here.

(on him) Wool pullover, from Prada. Silk-blend shorts, from Dolce & Gabbana.

(on her) Silk-blend top and matching shorts, from Bottega Veneta.

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BEYOND THE SURFACE

You don’t need plenty of bright colours to get noticed. Here, textural details make all the difference: The thick knit of his pullover, for instance, sets it apart from the average blue sweater. For her, a neutral palette is anything but boring when accented with woven leather and feathers (for the top), and patchwork and zip detailing (for the trousers).

(on him) Wool pullover and silk-blend trousers, from Hermes. Leather shoes, from Louis Vuitton.

(on her) Woven leather and feather top, and silkblend trousers, from Louis Vuitton. Leather shoes, from Salvatore Ferragamo.

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OLD WORLD

Having some time off from the real world is good reason to indulge in a little sartorial whimsy. He sports a light, safari-style outfit – an inspired look for modern-day adventurers. Her outfit, on the other hand, is a fun take on retro style, thanks to clever trompe l’oeil (“trick of the eye” in French) details. Look carefully: Those aren’t actually ruffles on the skirt, but outlines created with embellishments.

(on her) Sequin and tulle bralette, silk camisole (worn underneath), sequin and tulle skirt, acetate sunglasses, sequin and tulle collar, and leather shoes, from Gucci.

(on him) Cotton-blend safari shirt and cotton-blend trousers, from Bally. Metal sunglasses and leather shoes, from Louis Vuitton. Silk scarf, from Moschino.

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GRAPHIC DETAILS

There’s nothing wrong with sporting a T-shirt during your downtime. But instead of a plain, dime-a-dozen tee, we would like to suggest something with a bit more personality, such as this one with quirky lattice patterns and bold strips of colour.

Cotton-blend tee, cotton-blend shorts and metal sunglasses, from Louis Vuitton.

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LAYERS OF MEANING

What’s one way to elevate simple pieces? By wearing them together. Heather-grey trackpants, which are fast becoming a staple in many athleisure-influenced wardrobes, get dressed up with effortlessly coordinated layers on top. For her, silk-chiffon layers create a sense of drama, while being comfortably lightweight.

(on her) Silk-chiffon dress and leather belt, from Michael Kors. Silver necklace and leather shoes, from Hermes.

(on him) Wool coat, silk shirt, cotton trackpants, wool scarf and leather shoes, from Burberry. Leather bracelets, from Hermes.

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TO BE SHEER

Done in barely there silk mesh, and elaborately embellished, this slinky dress is a surefire standout. The modestly minded need not worry: While the designer paired this dress with matching underthings, a dark slip also works as well with it.

Silk-mesh dress and tulle shorts, from Gucci.

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KNIT PICKS

Two types of knits, two very different effects. A retro-inspired crochet dress in purple serves as a resort-appropriate cover-up, and easily transitions to dressier settings when worn with a slip. For him, a dark pullover anchors his look and allows the accents – the collar of a printed shirt, a silk belt – to stand out.

(on her) Silk-blend dress, from Burberry. Bamboo and leather cuff, from Hermes.

(on him) Wool pullover, cotton shirt and cotton shorts, from Paul Smith. Silk belt, from Hermes. Leather shoes, from Prada.

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IN THE ABSTRACT

Prints add immediate visual interest to an outfit. Hot right now: Abstract prints that offer an element of surprise, and beg a second look. Whether you wear it as an all-over accent (like her) or in smaller doses (like him) is up to you.

(on her) Silk and leather dress, from Hugo Boss.

(on him) Wool pullover, cotton tee and cotton-blend trousers, from Berluti

My Reading Room

GET IN LINE

Stripes, usually in thick white and blue, have long been a nautical classic. Pay homage to the traditional seafaring pattern with fresh takes on graphic lines. Sporting a T-shirt with clusters of slanting linear details is one way to about it. Or go big with outsized stripes in a multiplicity of hues, as seen on her dress.

(on him) Silk-blend jacket, cotton tee, wool-blend trousers and metal sunglasses, from Bottega Veneta. Leather shoes, from Burberry.

(on her) Silk-blend dress and leather shoes, from Salvatore Ferragamo.