Wispy, whimsical and barely there. That in a nutshell describes all I’ve wanted to wear this summer. Perhaps it's because my work life responsibilities keep piling up –- apparently there is no end to what needs to be done for a new business! –- but all I’ve wanted to wear are clothes that are as light and carefree as possible. For years I’ve coveted Dolce and Gabbana’s summer outfits and their ability to instantly conjure up La Dolce Vita and all that is wild and sensuous about summer. Alas, the startup life does not lend itself well to accumulating D&G outfits, and so I looked endlessly for more accessible alternatives.
Skirt from Sessun
The skirt came first, from Sessun, a French brand that I discovered years ago in Berlin. I was obsessed with Sessun's bright shop and its thin cotton dresses draped around the store. Those dresses were practically shouting to be folded into old suitcases and whisked away to sun-filled streets and country lanes. This gauzy cream skirt is exactly what I was looking for: a long skirt with a high waist that I could wear with a shirt tucked in or something cropped just above it. Whereas I was actively looking for the perfect skirt, the top was an unexpected find while absentmindedly scrolling through Anthropologie.com. I bought it right away knowing that I would wear it with the French skirt and small heels.
NYC may not seem like the right place for an outfit like this –- it might be better suited to the cobblestone streets of Positano on the Amalfi coast –- but walking down Prince Street with a small breeze tossing the slit in the skirt around was exactly what I wanted after a long day working inside. I smiled every time I caught a glimpse of the top's reflection in a window, and of the somewhat horrified looks from passerbys as the skirt flew open in the breeze. No matter how un-fun and structured some days will be, there's always a way to liven them up, especially in the summer.