Summer things

vacances à la française, here is my listicle

We’re off to the Ile de Ré this weekend, where we go every summer, so here is a celebration of the little things that make daily life much nicer en vacances:

1. Basic white t-shirt

   A while back I was posting on here asking everyone for their favorite basic white tee. I didn’t want it to be fancy, just lightweight, pure cotton, like your dad’s undershirts, which I remember wearing en permanence throughout my teen years. The only really basic brand I could think of was Hanes. But of course there is another, equally obvious, and I eventually remembered it, and so I am here to tell you now that the Platonic ideal of the white t-shirt is from Fruit of the Loom.

2. Jelly sandals made of hemp

   Straight from the beach to the market to the café to wherever. Even wear them in town, there’s nowhere I won’t go in my little jelly shoes.

3. Rosé en piscine [on the rocks]

   If it isn’t ice cold it’s too warm.

4. A fouta

   So much more chic than a regular beach towel, and endlessly useful: also doubles as a skirt, a shawl, a picnic blanket, a tablecloth, a blanket for a sleeping child… I bought a bunch at Maison Empereur one blissful trip to Marseille long ago and guess what, they deliver outside of France!

5. Colette

   I instituted a “Bring Colette” rule after two consecutive summers with her (Break of Day in 2024, L’Ingénue Libertine in 2025) and this year there’s a new translation of The Pure and the Impure so that’s a no-brainer

   

   Colette, Break of Day, trans. Enid McLeod

6. SPF 50+

   The other night I saw someone on Instagram ranking all the French pharmacy sun blocks in terms of their efficacy, quality of ingredients, and sustainability practices, and Avène Intense Protect for Very Sensitive Skin was rated one of the best. Ordered it before the video was over. I am Very Influenceable when it comes to eco-friendly skincare.

7. A good sun hat for the small person. For me, I just wear a baseball cap. Every year I think I will find a good chapeau en paille, and every year I can’t decide on a model. Then, too, every one I’ve ever bought has flown off my head, so I find it hard to commit to a new one. Easy come, easy go, that’s my feeling about hats.

8. A caftan.

   For when you get home from the beach and can’t be bothered to wear clothes. Mine is from Merci a million years ago and I can’t find a picture of it. If I were still in the market for a caftan I really like this one or this one or ooh this one

9. The latest addition to the list is a fire engine red swimsuit from Hunza G. It has not been to the Ile de Ré yet but it can’t wait.

10. A good attitude

    Especially when traveling with small people…

    Bonnes vacances les amis!

    

    if you need me this is where I’ll be