The Chic List: No one can steal my holiday high
We went away at half-term and naturally I did a fair bit of forward planning on what to pack.
There’s no greater thrill in my style book than wearing your favourites somewhere new, warm and exciting.
I’d been looking forward to our week in southern France for ages – we split it between Provence and its plane trees and the French Riviera, with its glamorous blue umbrellas and big matching sky.
On the Cap d’Antibes, I spotted a great quote on a wall of the Hôtel Belles Rives, once home to The Great Gatsby author F Scott Fitzgerald.
‘With our being back in a nice villa on my beloved Riviera, I’m happier than I’ve been for years. It’s one of those strange, precious and all too transitory moments when everything in one’s life seems to be going well.’
Wearing a waistcoat from ESSENTIEL ANTWERP, linen trousers from REFORMATION and GUCCI sunglasses
He wrote that back in 1926 but it really resonated with me – particularly the ‘all too transitory’ bit. Because, let’s face it, life can be wonderful but it’s also random, unpredictable and too often a total s**tshow.
Within minutes of us landing in France, my carry-on suitcase – full of much-loved and carefully curated wardrobe bits and pieces – together with my handbag, phone and wallet were stolen.
It happened in the car park at Nice airport, as we were searching for our rental car. An elderly man distracted my son and me – had we dropped these sunglasses? – while his much more nimble accomplice snatched away my bag in the blink of an eye.
Airport police told us this ‘happens all the time’. But there were no warning signs, no security cameras – and no consequences for those who prey on knackered mothers and little boys just off a plane.

There’s no greater thrill in my style book than wearing your favourites somewhere new, warm and exciting
But as another mum, whose family’s entire luggage had been lost by BA, throwing their short break into chaos, stoically told me: ‘We must not let these things eat us up.’
And with this attitude, I pushed back and enjoyed the rest of my holiday. In fact, I made a determined effort to dress up that little bit more for my sundowner on the terrace.
So what should you be packing this summer – other than your wits?
- Two pairs of your favourite flat sandals. After chunky soles, the sandal vibe now is low-key, with celebrities and fashion editors favouring streamlined silhouettes, with little fuss or embellishment.
- Long linen skirts to wear over swimsuits – and giant sunglasses to shield your face. They add up to an instant sunlounger-to-lunch outfit.
- A basket bag for day trips and a couple of clutches for evenings.
- And wafty dresses. Those on the Riviera dress up not down for breakfast. Throw on something floaty and you’re ready for your granola.


NECK KNACK
Wear this chic piece of jewellery casually over your beach kimono.
Massimo Dutti has a terrific selection of linens and beach attire to help get your holiday off to a stylish start.
FLAT HUNTING?
A label that’s normally synonymous with summer bags, Dragon Diffusion has branched out into summer sandals this year.
Named after the sun-soaked village on the Amalfi Coast, these orange Positano sandals are handcrafted from panels of soft leather.
Team with a white dress for an elegant contrast.
ONE COOL CAT
Her famous owner may no longer be with us, but we did a double take at this month’s French Vogue when we saw her peering out from under Naomi Campbell’s arm.
Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat Choupette is now said to be pursuing a lucrative career in modelling assignments and personal appearances.

Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat Choupette is now said to be pursuing a lucrative career in modelling assignments and personal appearances
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk