the cover up

A friend's milestone birthday party in Santa Barbara this past weekend entailed a day-to-night celebration, kicking off with lunch on the beach, followed by a hike capped off with summit-top sunset cocktails, then dinner and dancing in an oak forest known to be frequented by mountain lions, and then still more dancing in a barn complete with disco-ball. It was an amazing day, but not without its fashion challenges: What garment moves seamlessly from beach to hike to dance floor? What shoes are stylish enough, but still facilitate a speedy escape in-case-of-mountain-lion? I found resolution in a post-beach wardrobe change from kaftan to flowy open-back (sweat-proof) dress and (beach-, hike-, boogie- and flee- friendly) flat metallic sandals. But other women took their beach cover-ups straight on through the evening. Albeit, these were cover-ups that were fun and festive looking, or worked after hours teamed with a cute pair of shorts (like the one above)--but all of them were thoroughly inspiring. Very much like these from Theodora & Callum (a graphic knockout), Emamo (floral and feminine), Natalie Martin (I adore this new line, and this flowy number can explain why), Surf Bazaar (easy breezy), Isabel Marant (an investment with long-term benefits)  and Asos (strapless, ruffled and flirty).

Photo: Cheyenne Meets Chantal