Q: I’m holidaying on the island of St Barts in the Caribbean this summer.
What’s your advice on how to dress chic for the beach and make a stylish transition to dinner?
It’s the decadent beach holiday everyone dreams of and you’ll certainly need the fantasy style to go with it.
There is no doubting the fact that you will want to show off high fashion and glamour in the part of the world you are travelling to.
Dare to bare as much flesh as possible.
The trendiest swimwear this summer comes in sexy sultry styles including high-cut, low-cut and cu- out. Choose shapes that accentuate your best features - for example if you have great boobs go for low-cut or if you have great legs go for high-cut. To ensure you radiate confidence, invest in high quality items that fit you perfectly – you don’t want to worry about experiencing wardrobe malfunctions while making a dash for the sea to cool down.
Whatever your choice of swimwear, however, you will need to partially cover your body at some point, like when you are strolling along the beach, grabbing some drinks, chasing toddlers or making that transition to dinner.
When it feels a little breezy, or when you’ve had enough of exposing lots of skin, whip on a silk poncho or cotton kaftan. These are the most traditional swimsuit cover-ups and probably the most practical to wear – they tend to be made of super light fabric and are loose and flowy making them easy to throw on and pull off.
If you are not feeling intimidated and want to continue flashing your swimwear and naked skin, opt for a stylish lightweight open overcoat – this makes swimwear appear more formal and when worn with the right shoes and accessories can be suitable attire for resort dining (for the extroverts out there!).
Slip a casual dress on over your swimwear – lightweight weaves in transparent or mesh fabrics are fast drying and will still show off your swimwear without exposing too much. These can be worn on the street and are perfect for hitting the disco come midnight!
Look 1
Hot pink knitted mesh sports dress, £315, by McQ Alexander McQueen at House of Fraser Glasgow. Barton snakeskin leather belt, £350 at Belstaff Glasgow. Black high-cut one piece swimsuit, £38 at American Apparel Glasgow. Double cord bracelet £195, double cord necklace £180, and charm wrap (worn on wrist) £250, all available at Links of London. White 3D printed acorn ring £68, by Anna Marion available at Brazen Glasgow. Sporting flame sandal £669, by Christian Louboutin at Pam Jenkins Edinburgh.
Look 2
Purple metallic coat, £825 by Missoni at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh. Black high-cut one piece swimsuit, £38 at American Apparel Glasgow. Silver, gold plate and black rhodium triple gun pendant, £157 made by Brazen Studios available at Brazen Glasgow. Tosca suede wedge sandal with lilac and pink twill and gold braid, £479 by Christian Louboutin at Pam Jenkins Edinburgh.
Look 3
Silk printed tribal poncho £225, by Issa at Jane Davidson Edinburgh. Black high-cut one piece swimsuit £38, at American Apparel Glasgow. Silver cuff £350 at Links of London. Scottish Hallmark shield necklace £189, made by Brazen Studios available at Brazen Glasgow. Vachetta biscuit brown flower sandal, £595 at Mulberry Edinburgh.
Styling: Lisa Ringrose
Photography: Jeff Mars
Make-up: Susan Lucas using Dermalogica, Nars Cosmetics and Illamasqua
Spray Tan: The Beauty Store at Virginia Court Glasgow, using St Tropez
Hair: John Bowers, Creative Director at Bowers & Peacock, King Street, Glasgow, using Blow & Go Smooth & Oil Miracle Divine Polish by Schwarzkopf Professional
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