Minibreak Style Tips: Como

The 66^th annual Cannes Film Festival was a few weeks ago, and was, as usual, a veritable red-carpet of Hollywood stars and style-conscious celebs soaking up the spotlight. (So I’ve been told - I’ve never actually been to Cannes. Unless you count a camping holiday when I was 8.)

Ok so I didn’t get to attend the event, but I approve of the idea. There’s a part of me that’s always wondered what it would be like to be a screen siren living the high life in glamorous resorts in between shooting movies and having torrid love affairs with my leading men. Floppy hats and oversized sunglasses, paparazzi-dodging and hob-nobbing with the rich and famous - it’s a far cry from the reality of my usual day which tends to feature more running for buses and battling for the last salad at Pret, and fewer chauffeur-driven Bentleys and personal pastry chefs.

Strangely the tabloid press don’t seem too interested in documenting my days, which, I’m sure you’ll agree from that thrilling glimpse into my world, would make for compelling reading. However a girl can dream…and to that end, this week’s City Style Tips is dedicated to the gorgeous Lake Como, Italy, where I once spend a sumptuous long weekend swanning about and pretending I was in a Fellini movie. 

Romany Tea Dress | Magenta Bikini Top | Magenta Bikini Brief | Rorschach Kimono

There is definitely something cinematic about Como – maybe the fact that it’s been used as a backdrop in countless films, such as Oceans Twelve, Casino Royale and er, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. (It also counts George Clooney amongst its famous residents, if that sort of thing interests you…) It’s a great excuse to embrace the escapism and try something different.

Our Romany tea dress, with its pretty but striking rose print, has a soft femininity to it which is also bold and bright, both classic and contemporary, like Como itself. The lightweight fabric is perfect for beating the heat as you explore the old town, enjoy a pleasure cruise, or take in the amazing galleries and villas around the lake.    

If you happen to be in Como in mid-June, look out for the wonderful dance festival Swing Crash – it’s difficult to miss with lindyhopping couples filling the streets and live music until the early hours. Hundreds of sharply dressed hep cats and kittens make it their mission to cut a rug come rain or shine, and with competitions, classes and dance-offs in the central square of the town centre, you’ll be grateful for a cool frock with a loose skirt if you decide to join in the fun!

It’s not a great idea to go swimming in the lake itself, as the waters can become choppy when speedboats (captained by louche Italian playboys) zip past. But there are several local ‘beach clubs’ or lidos which provide a place to meet, sunbathe and swim, with a beachhouse bar serving up the favourite local tipple of ‘spritz’. If you’re planning on taking a dip, a one-piece is advisable (or risk an embarrassing bikini malfunction – this warning comes from experience) but if it’s lounging in the sun whilst looking every inch the movie star that interests you, grab yourself one of our magenta bandeau bikinis before they sell out (swimwear is flying fast off our shelves at the moment!) and a Rorschach Kimono Jacket to drape around your shoulders when the sun dips behind a cloud.

And if you do happen to end up partying on a yacht with Clooney and co, don’t forget to invite me – I’ve already done my packing…

Lydia x

Minibreak Style Tips: Barcelona

We’re full swing into Spring (allegedly) and here at PPHQ we are eagerly looking forward to throwing off our coats and gloves and donning our best Whistle & Wolf frocks for a bit of a frolic in the sunshine. I mean – it’s almost June, how far off can those elusive golden rays be?  A glance out of the window confirms that despite swapping our woolly tights for seamed stockings and chunky boots for strappy sandals, we’re no less likely to be caught in a deluge that’d give Glastonury '05 a run for its money.

As the drab grey skies stretch out over the city and bedraggled people bustle by holding umbrellas that seem to have a spooky ability to poke a woman of my height right in the eye, it may seem like that well-earned summer holiday one has been fantasising about is a far off dream.  

But never fear! I have come up with a simple yet effective solution to these mid-May mopes, which I am going to share with you all now. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to figure it out. Are you ready? Brace yourself.

One word: MINIBREAK.

From Reykjavik to Rome, Palermo to Prague, there are plenty of chic European destinations suitable for a weekend away in which to flash your new Playful Promises bikini, make a splash in our swimwear or glam up in something  quirky and/or classy from our Whistle and Wolf clothing collection.

So here are some city style tips for one of my favourite places on earth - Barcelona!

I first visited Barcelona whilst travelling through Europe in my teens; it seized my heart instantly and hasn’t yet let go.  It’s a fun, playful, vibrant city that nonetheless has a grown-up side – there’s plenty of culture and history to be explored at your leisure, but when the evening hits, you’ll be spoilt for choice with fantastic seafood restaurants, great live music establishments, and bars serving traditional cava and Catalan tapas titbits to keep you going til the early hours. Wardrobe-wise you’ll want an all-rounder if you’re planning on hitting the city after dark, which is when it really comes to life – our classic red dress is versatile, timeless styling at its best, and paired with our tuxedo jacket you’ll look the part wherever your evening takes you.

The seafront has an urban feel to it but there is golden sand for those determined for beachtimes. If you’re feeling daring the Barcelonans think nothing of whipping off their kit for that all-over tan!  However, if you’re not feeling the let-it-all-hang-out vibe, our digital Hawaii bikini with its parrot and floral print reflects the bright and bold nature of this city (which is home to flocks of colourful parakeets!), and will allow you to get a headstart on your sun-kissed look way ahead of your pasty pals back home.

Send us a postcard, won’t you!