Escape Artist

One of my lovely readers recently requested some styling assistance in preparing for a beach wedding.  Two days later, one of my best friends announced her upcoming plans for a brief getaway to the Dominican Republic.  A) I’m intensely, sickly green with jealousy, and B) You’ve come to the right place, as I’ve been naughtily collecting beachy looks for the past couple of weeks in a pathetic attempt at imaginatively escaping these lingering months of winterdom.  {I shouldn’t complain too much — it’s been refreshingly mild the past few days, even reaching 70 on Friday.  But then it snowed this morning.  We’re in a barometric cul de sac.  Harrumph.}  At any rate, my cup runneth over with beach-ready looks, and the principle governing all of the looks below?  A healthy balance of neutrals and bold, saturated colors.  So get ready, set, pack!

And P.S.: while you’re at it, travel in style by setting your luggage apart with one of these fun bag tags ($19, Tepper Jackson), and by stowing your in-flight essentials in these clever, TSA-approved clear cosmetic bags ($6 apiece, Toss Designs):

And P.P.S.: Please take me with you.  I’m petite, and can fit well into confined spaces, like suitcases, duffel bags, etc.  Onto the entree: what to wear?!  First up: down time / casual wear for exploring the area / hanging out in between events.  As per my last post, I’ve been showing some serious love to the Mexique Chic vibe.  I’m obsessed with this APC Madras embroidered top ($195, ShopBird), and I’d wear it with crisp red shorts ($42, J. Crew) and a classic panama hat ($110, Net-A-Porter) for a glam vacationista look:

Finish with a careful dose of neutrals (you want the red of your shorts and embroidery to POP against an otherwise organic palette of browns and whites): a stack of gold bangles ($19, Warehouse), some neutral t-straps ($36, TopShop), and a cross-body bag ($109, Zara):

Alternately, a loose blousey top ($215, Singer22) pairs perfectly with some aviator-style shades ($180, Blue and Cream), some easy-on white jeans, and those phenomenal Aldo t-straps I featured last Friday ($90, Aldo):

Keep things light and airy with a loosely draped lariat necklace ($75, PinkMascara), a set of mix-n-match style bangles ($100, Amrita Singh), and a straw tote ($215, Singer22):

Or how about this comfy navy-striped maxi ($195, Seaton Surf), paired with classic t-straps (K. Jacques are the.original. — on sale for $115, MyTheresa):

Finish with a beach-ready canvas tote ($150, Chance Co), stuffed with the essentials: suncreen (Clarins, $37.50, TheCosmeticMarket), some SPF-infused lip balm ($22.50, Fresh), a pair of trendy aviators (D&G, $135, Nordstrom), and a beach read:

(One of my all time favorite books of life.)  Don’t forget a poolside bev — Mr. Magpie and I were obsessed with the caipirinhas at the cabana at our honeymoon resort (sugar plus freshly muddled limes plus rum = heaven).

I’m also loving this orangey-red striped cover-up (this is a kid’s size, but the XL should fit a S — $73, Petit Bateau), worn loosely over a white eyelet bikini ($19.50 for top, $19.50 for bottom — Old Navy) and finished with a flowery fabric bib necklace ($255, Chance Co):

Perfect with some fun little be-pom-pommed sandals (Lanvin, on sale for $315, MyTheresa) and a roomy canvas tote (I’m obsessed with Anya Hindmarch’s styles — $135, Saks):

And how darling would you look in this gauzy little cover-up (love the white-on-white embroidery, $148, French Connection), topped with a funky mixed-print beaded necklace ($80, ByBoe):

Layer over a seersucker bikini ($75 for top, $75 for bottom — Calypso) and finish with this to.die.for Nina Ricci tote ($1,850, Barney’s):

Love it with these funky swan-print espadrilles (aren’t they darling?! — Tory Burch, $175, Net-A-Porter):

For wedding-related events (as an aside, beach weddings tend to be much more casual than traditional, brick-and-mortar-housed versions), consider a breezy maxi dress ($195, Calypso) paired with shoulder-grazing earrings (suh-woon over these — $69, Janna Conner):

Finish with a natural straw clutch ($375, Shirise) and some accented metallic t-straps ($195, Pret-A-Beaute):

Wear hair down and loose or casually side-swept in a messy bun, and add only this statement-making bangle ($4.90, Forever21):

If you’re not quite as bananas over the boho caftan style, dip-dyed fabrics feel very au courant…very Proenza Schouler-esque.  I’d consider either this Mina Stone dress ($368, Steven Alan) or this Adam frock ($127, TheOutnet):

Either would be perfect with a pair of enorma-studs ($70, Kendra Scott), a mother of pearl-esque clutch ($240, Moyna), and some bejeweled Giuseppe Zanottis (the sandal equivalent of the glass slipper — $450, Intermix):

Now that I’ve sufficiently depressed myself by my LACK of traveling prospects, it’s back to brainstorming ways of banishing the winter blahs…

ADDENDUM: Anyone have a freakishly small foot like mine?!  I’m selling a pair of pristine gold Manolo Blahnik flats…please step on up and into my closet if you’re interested!