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An alternative wardrobe for the sun-shy holidaymaker An alternative wardrobe for the sun-shy holidaymaker
(7 months later)
It's not often that fashion looks to The Blue Man Group for inspiration, yet here we are: behold the facekini, a fabric headsock designed to protect your face from the sun. As news reports last week revealed, the facekini (above) is huge in both China and now the style world, thanks to a photoshoot this month in CR, former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld's magazine, in which the models wore bespoke versions for a shoot entitled "Masking in the Sun".It's not often that fashion looks to The Blue Man Group for inspiration, yet here we are: behold the facekini, a fabric headsock designed to protect your face from the sun. As news reports last week revealed, the facekini (above) is huge in both China and now the style world, thanks to a photoshoot this month in CR, former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld's magazine, in which the models wore bespoke versions for a shoot entitled "Masking in the Sun".
The facekini was first spotted on the beach in China about five years ago. Subverting the notion of tan as a status symbol, French newspaper Le Monde says it reflects a "terror of tanning" among Asian women. Its designer says it also prevents mosquito bites, jellyfish stings and shark bites, although sun blocking seems to be the overriding theme. Protecting ourselves in the sun – which, according to fable, appears in the sky during the summer months – has become big business. Here's a handy guide to covering up, fashionista-style. The facekini was first spotted on the beach in China about five years ago. Subverting the notion of tan as a status symbol, French newspaper Le Monde says it reflects a "terror of tanning" among Asian women. Its designer says it also prevents mosquito bites, jellyfish stings and shark bites, although sun blocking seems to be the overriding theme. Protecting ourselves in the sun – which, according to fable, appears in the sky during the summer months – has become big business. Here's a handy guide to covering up, fashionista-style.
Rash vestDesigned in Australia in the 1970s to prevent wetsuit chafing, the rash vest served as a fabric version of sun cream and before long became a cooler alternative to a wetsuit in warmer months. This summer it has evolved into something a bit posher – think jaunty colours by J Crew and cropped versions at Asos – and even appeared in the August issue of US Vogue. It now comes with the bold claim of being this season's cover-up. Feel free to wait with bated breath on this one.Rash vestDesigned in Australia in the 1970s to prevent wetsuit chafing, the rash vest served as a fabric version of sun cream and before long became a cooler alternative to a wetsuit in warmer months. This summer it has evolved into something a bit posher – think jaunty colours by J Crew and cropped versions at Asos – and even appeared in the August issue of US Vogue. It now comes with the bold claim of being this season's cover-up. Feel free to wait with bated breath on this one.
KaftansLong, belted cover-ups have been mainstays in Ottoman, Persian and Moroccan wardrobes for centuries, but the version we know – part-modesty enabler, part-sun protection, all embroidery – was appropriated in the west in the 1970s, when boho came into its own. Since then, via Monsoon and Emmanuelle, it's now reached near-mythical status thanks to one woman: Liz Hurley.KaftansLong, belted cover-ups have been mainstays in Ottoman, Persian and Moroccan wardrobes for centuries, but the version we know – part-modesty enabler, part-sun protection, all embroidery – was appropriated in the west in the 1970s, when boho came into its own. Since then, via Monsoon and Emmanuelle, it's now reached near-mythical status thanks to one woman: Liz Hurley.
BurkiniWhen she poured her curves into a burkini on Bondi Beach in 2011, Nigella Lawson had no intention of creating the sartorial furore she did, but such is the dual power of the long-lens paparazzi shot and the media. Invented by Islamic clothing brand Ahiida as a way for Muslim women to swim while staying appropriately covered, this full-body suit exposes only the face, the hands and the feet, but was recently adopted as a way of ensuring full sun protection. Us? We just like the name of Nigella's favourite brand, Modestly Active.BurkiniWhen she poured her curves into a burkini on Bondi Beach in 2011, Nigella Lawson had no intention of creating the sartorial furore she did, but such is the dual power of the long-lens paparazzi shot and the media. Invented by Islamic clothing brand Ahiida as a way for Muslim women to swim while staying appropriately covered, this full-body suit exposes only the face, the hands and the feet, but was recently adopted as a way of ensuring full sun protection. Us? We just like the name of Nigella's favourite brand, Modestly Active.
SliderLess about sunburn and more about sandburn, the slider (a sandal which, as the name suggests, simply slides underfoot) has been going strong for two summers, with little sign of disintegrating, despite being made of rubber. Coinciding with the rise of sports-luxe (fashionable people wearing sportswear off court), the key brands are Adidas and Celine. Key looks involve wearing yours with a pair of socks. Nike's newest offerings, which come in silver or gold, sold out the day they went in-store. Proof, if proof were needed, that fashion is off the wall.SliderLess about sunburn and more about sandburn, the slider (a sandal which, as the name suggests, simply slides underfoot) has been going strong for two summers, with little sign of disintegrating, despite being made of rubber. Coinciding with the rise of sports-luxe (fashionable people wearing sportswear off court), the key brands are Adidas and Celine. Key looks involve wearing yours with a pair of socks. Nike's newest offerings, which come in silver or gold, sold out the day they went in-store. Proof, if proof were needed, that fashion is off the wall.