Pareos are the answer to summer dressing drama

Laura Vidrequin and Leandra (me) style some beach wraps for life in the metropolis

Unofficially, June has become “Surf month” in the cereal aisle. As in, dress for the board you want to glide on. Or the spirit you want to feel while walking down a street where the only wave in proximity is produced by the heat.

Sara Cristina gold beach wrap styled with a vintage sleeveless button down (per last week’s letter, could this be an alt?), Ancient Greek flip flops, L.L Bean tote and Ray-ban sunglasses. Never not wearing my healing sphere either

But in the interest, actually, of broadening the aperture, the vibe of summer may not necessarily be surf so much as it is beach.

Pool.

A body of water that is chill but not delicate, or gentle, or soft. It’s more like one that promotes wholesome, physical activity.

Yes, if last summer the vibe was tender reading lakeside, this summer we’re finding footing on more manic waters and one such garment that promotes this state of mind is the classic beach wrap.

How to wear a pareo city side

But it’s too limited to consider this garment exclusively while waterside, so let’s think about them fashioned into skirts that you can wear in a metropolis.

Maison Ola hat, Oséree pareo (more sizes here, and the red is nice too) over Silk Laundry pants (a deeper alt is these), American Vintage tank (a great tank for you here), AKVO flip flops, Little Liffner bag

Laura lives in London, I live in New York. We both appreciate the art of half-dressing. But where this inclination has been dominated by the half-in, half-out nature of wearing nightgowns or tiny silk shorts/cotton robes to hang outdoors, the venn-diagram we’re playing with now has replaced home for the beach.

Laura and I were messaging a few weeks ago and she told me that pareos are her answer to summer dressing drama. I think she was right. Below, we style two wraps that we both own, and a few more that lean into the summer vibe for the beach, yes, but also for our respective cities. Enjoy.

The Pucci wrap

Aflalo white shirt, Alex Woz graphic tee, Pucci pareo, Dries van Awesome bag

A fuller length look at the same outfit; here’s another color-way for the wrap, I like pink too. Or full length. Dare I try the mesh dress? Also love these from Soleil Soleil. The shoes are The Row’s canal; these might be the 2025 successor.

Pucci pareo, Gimaguas bag (not the same thing at all, but I love this one), Ralph Lauren cable knit, a denim bucket hat from Laura’s teen years, Musa sandals

One good alt, two good alt, three good alt — bags (and she is an extra 30% off at checkout)

A fringe wrap from Mango

By Malene Birger cape is sold out, but not opposed to this without fringe, Mango pareo, pants from my last summer collab with Soeur (these as an alt?), Gimaguas x Havaianas flip flops (the plains are good), Altuzarra suede tote (this is the one I’ve been using more recently)

Skirt comes as a halter top too

Cordera hat, Mango pareo, Ancient Greek Sandals flip flops, old Marni skirt (similar here), Rohé top, J. Crew bag

One bracelet is from Mango, the other is vintage (try her)

Et cetera

Versace button down, Soleil Soleil sarong, K. Jacques x La Veste sandals

Ysso gold bangle, infinity band by me <3

Aflalo jeans, Rouge heels, pareo found on Etsy, Massimo Dutti tank, Chan Luu necklace

The Row hat and bag; I’d consider this one too

Saint Art black top, Donde Esteban beach wrap (also loving this print), Tod’s loafers, One/of jacquard pouch

WNU shirt, pareo was found at a French market in Ile de Re, but this etsy shop has a lot going for it

I call this one: the camp bus drop off look with an Attersee button down, fringe scarf styled as a beach wrap and Polo sneakers with the backs flipped in. Re: pareo, I love this one from something too. The crochet hat is from Pardo!

Maria de la Orden pareo skirt, a vintage tee from Portobello Market, Loeffler Randall sandals, a bag from the same French market (but lots of woven market totes work), Carolina Bucci necklace

We went thru this one already, but once more because why not: vintage gold top, Sara Cristina wrap, Ancient Greek Sandals flip flops and an L.L. Bean tote w my daughter’s name on it

Hunting Season tote, Rondini sandals (but can try these K. Jacques sandals)

Alvica pareo, Posse top, the same Carolina Bucci necklace

Delia Wade jacket, Toteme beach wrap (good alt, comes like this too), Chanel patent moccasins (let’s call these the seasonal equiv), Hunting Season silver satin trunk bag

Maison Ola hat, Oséree pareo (more sizes here + I love the red) over Silk Laundry pants (good alt), American Vintage tank (a great tank for you here), AKVO flip flops, Little Liffner bag

Khaite sunglasses, By Malene Birger pin (it’s like the pistil of a flower!, attached to jacket)

There’s no right way to do this other than to make it your own. Have a great week,

Leandra (and Laura)