The Honeymoon Edit: Inspired by Sofia Richie Grainge & the South of France

Anyone who knows me well

knows that for the entirety of my adult life, I’ve been besotted with the South of France. When I dream, I dream of purpled pathways in Provence—of walking the lavender fields at dusk (presumably while carrying a basket purse and wide-brimmed sunhat).

J’apprends le français depuis quatre ans et j’adore la langue, la culture, et bien sûr, tout ce qui est mode française. These French reveries and this admiration for the French style is hardly unique to me. Perhaps we all dream, at least once, of having a sun-drenched summer on the Côte d’Azur. Of a languorous honeymoon— la lune de miel— or romantic getaway with nothing on the agenda but gentle strolls, terrace apéritifs, beachy romps, and day trips to Italy.

Such a holiday would involve time in Menton, la perle de la France. Come morning, imagine a stroll through a pastel village, with a visit to the pebbled beach or a little trip through aux Halles, the covered market, for a basket full of Menton’s sweetest offerings-- their citrus fruits. A visit to Saint-Michel-Archange, whose graceful belfry shelters the town, to see the Baroque architecture or attend the annual Festival de Musique in the parvis. There would be a journey up the precarious paths to the perched village of Sainte-Agnès, a medieval jewel which elegantly dangles over the sea. Here, one rises early to see God make a mountain morning: a sweeping sea view, touched with the day’s first light. There would be enchanting medieval villages to walk through, castle ruins to climb up to, botanical gardens to stroll, and bell towers to look upon, glazed with tile, glimmering in the French sunshine. One would travel from to neighboring Italy for lavish plates of pasta and a bit of dolce far niente. Such blissful indolence, such glamorous repose.

And no trip to the South of France would be complete without staying in a little stone house in Provence, nestled in the lavender fields. I think often of a much-loved passage from a book set here; how, in that story, everything one touches —the laundry, the bedsheets, a hair ribbon, milk poured in morning coffee—is scented with lavender. The dusky fragrance of love letters in an ancient chest, of flowers pressed between diary pages, or of perfume hidden deep in the folds of a cashmere sweater. Evenings would draw one out to walk in the lavender fields, to be immersed in this fragrance, this essence. To see purple paths flooded with heavenly, golden light, and walk in the very midst of them, fingertips brushing the grass.

“Each outing would involve an outfit worthy of a Cannes starlet.”

Whether waking in a countryside cottage or lounging seaside in a retro suit; whether taking morning cappuccino on the terrace of a luxury hotel or enjoying a beautiful, alfresco evening meal, could be no better place to be swept away to than the South of France, in any iteration.

And, naturellement, each outing would involve an outfit worthy of a 1950s-era Cannes starlet. Fine linen and silk, cool against the skin. Beautiful, handmade garments that feel at once luxurious and simple—like laundry hanging on a line, warmed by the Mediterranean sun. These clothes would be worthy of the portrait-worthy views, enchanting villages, and overall air of luxury. Worthy of some of life’s happiest moments and simplest, fullest luxuries.

Enter Sofia Richie Grainge’s by now iconic Antibes wedding and honeymoon style.

Photos from Sofia Richie Grainge’s Instagram account

Each look perfectly captured the nostalgic and nonchalant glamour of the French Riviera. From a pale blue turtleneck gown to ecru linen vest and skirt; from eclectic accessories to sleek chignons, every element of her wedding week outfits was consummately and quintessentially French.

Photos from Sofia Richie Grainge’s Instagram account

But what strikes me most, in this string of sensational looks, is the triumphant return of modesty. This has been commented upon elsewhere—my reaction is not original—but I believe it bears repeating. In an era where women are encouraged to reveal everything, how refreshing it is to see restraint. Each of Sofia’s honeymoon looks displayed a disarming modesty. For once, we were allowed to appreciate someone’s fine taste, her sophistication, her attitude, and essence—qualities which have nothing (or at least, very little) to do with her body. Once upon a time, feminine allure had so much to do with preserving an air of mystery. Flirtation could be conveyed with a look, a bat of the eyelashes. An outfit could be an expression of one’s intelligence or of her interests; a captivating glimpse of discover her personality. The female form could be showcased in a beautiful way, through the fineness of a fabric, the fall of silk, the beauty of a bias cut. Femininity was once synonymous with elegance, decorum, and reserve.

Culturally, we’ve lost this art. “What the world needs is a return to sweetness and decency,” declared a fictional Princess on a certain Roman Holiday, and many of us concur. How lovely it is, to see fashion be allowed to have a certain charm, a sweetness, again. How wonderful, to see an outfit that evokes a distant era, a place, a fictional story—that’s so much more nuanced than simply some overt display of skin. Elegance and restraint can create such a sense of allure, and culturally, perhaps we can come to appreciate this again.

Photos from Sofia Richie Grainge’s Instagram account

It is difficult to recreate Sofia’s Chanel looks precisely—not worth knocking off, because the duplicate will never live up to the original. A better approach, I find, is to channel the overall essence or attitude of these looks and, better yet, the setting in which they were worn. To capture, in an abstract way, the relaxed glamour of the South of France. There are so many intelligent, poetic ways to interpret this setting. One can pick up on the russet color of a home in Menton, or the apricot of the candied fruit that falls from French abricotiers. Or it could be something textural that defines the look, a quality reminiscent of laundry fluttering on the line, or fine linen of a yacht’s sail, billowing in the wind. Freedom of movement is essential to this kind of dressing; dresses should be able to be worn to morning trips to the market and on evening walks along the seashore. For evening, silk garments feel right, with their innately lustrous quality. Imagine how beautiful a silk dress would look beneath the moonlight, as would a string of pearls, gleaming on the neck.

“That idea of glamorous indolence feels intertwined with the Riviera.”

Some of the looks in this Edit have a bit of the feeling of Angelina Jolie in By The Sea. A bit late 1960s, early 1970s, but mostly, an ode to classic, Riviera dressing— pieces that are timeless enough to hold up well in any decade. That film basically lays out the perfect capsule collection: finely tailored pieces in neutral colors, including sheath dresses and little jackets, skirts with sheer silk blouses. These muted, elegant pieces are often accessorized with something a bit more impactful: vintage YSL sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and fine silk scarves, worn in the hair. Every languid morning and pre-dinner getting ready hour finds Jolie swathed in layers of silk. Perfect for lounging (and glamorously sulking) on chaise lounges. That idea of glamorous indolence, of luxury and languor, feels so intertwined with the Riviera. One always imagines the setting in the summer, seemingly endless days suffused with light, of evenings that linger, and meals and conversations that you want never to end.

For this Edit, I channeled the glamour of Sofia’s honeymoon and the feeling of a film set on the Riviera through a kind of “day in the life in the South of France.”

So, let’s spend a day on the Côte d’Azur, yes? C’est parti!

Morning Sea Bathe

How refreshing it would be, to begin the day here with a bracing swim. A sea plunge rejuvenates mind and body and feels like a cleansing start to the day. No place could be better for the activity, or for the outfits; the art of the swimming costume has been practiced and perfected here for at least a century—one imagines retro starlets in swim caps and belted suits. Channeling the modesty of the Sofia wedding and honeymoon, my Riviera beachwear is covered up but gorgeous. For no matter how beautiful the body, there’s always just something more elegant, more beautiful, about being covered. And this modesty does not detract from but rather ups the glamour quotient. I love 1940s-era swimsuits the most, and these feel reminiscent of those worn by a silent film star in the earliest years of the Cannes Film Festival. Sofia’s crocheted and fringed details make an appearance here, as does the French summer bag, the basket purse, very much in the style of Jane Birkin. And yes, Amazon’s dupe of the Loewe sunglasses are, I dare say, are somehow cuter than the original (quel choc!).

Morning Workout

A bit of morning exercise to maintain the form—and for the workout, the most beautiful, ballet-inspired pieces from Port de Bras. For what could be more French?

Following a swim or workout would be a blessedly pared-down morning ritual that involved only the simplest, essential ingredients. A beautiful cake of soap, a bit of indulgent bath oil, just a touch of makeup, perfume applied to the wrists and the back of the neck. Then, a trip to the market, for a crusty loaf of bread, a jeweled collection of fruits, the makings of a proper picnic.

Lunch Hour

Lunch time involves dressing to be seen in daywear that exudes elegance and quiet luxury. Sofia’s Posse outfit, an airy, white linen skirt and vest, sets the standard for Riviera après-midi dressing. An outfit perfectly poised to be worn on hotel balconies, or in vintage cars, for a trip up the Corniche. The ultimate getaway—a sun-drenched, top-down ride off to some magical place, with relaxed music and the wind gently playing with your hair (and Chanel scarf).

Afternoon Explorations

Afternoon adventures include trips to ancient chapels, exquisite botanical gardens, and medieval villages. Dressing should be practical but worthy of the beautiful atmosphere. Enter fine linen dresses and jumpsuits, hand-stitched to perfection.

Sunset Walk

The very heart and essence of the South of France: walking the fields, at dusk, in a flowing linen dress. Simple, but ethereal. Relaxed but elegant. Clothes made of the purest, most essential textiles, as befits the natural landscape. Clothes that are understated enough to allow for a gorgeous moment— a heavenly sunset touching a lavender-filled or seaside path.

Evening Apéritifs

Evening dressing is as refined as one would imagine, but still youthful, personality filled. Some of the defining elements of Sofia’s outfits are seen here—fringed hemlines, crocheted details, elegant turtleneck dresses, and luminous silks. Olympia Le Tan creates beaded clutches that depict famous works of art and literature, ideal for moments that unfold like art. Jewelry from the captivating collections of Ben-Amon and Virgins, Saints, and Angels crown each look with luster.

The Essential Labels

A few labels embody this style of dressing, this Riviera mood. Loro Piana works with the rarest, raw materials sourced from the remotest corners of the world and crafted by hand to create pieces of unrivaled opulence. Exquisite textiles like vicuña, cashmere, Merino wool, and lotus flower fiber, and Napa leather are employed with breathtaking exactitude to create a collection that is sumptuously soft and refined to the extreme. These pieces are so artisanal, so fine—something to treasure, to treat well. It’s difficult to imagine feeling cashmere so soft or leather so supple—to wear clothes which need some better name to describe what they are. And as opulent as the textiles are, the colors of Loro Piana’s collections are equally luxurious. There are sun-soaked apricot colors, pristine, powder blues, and mellowed mango hues—colors which seem to belong to a Mediterranean day. Each color is given a name that underscores its rarity and connects it to some of the most precious materials in the natural world. Pale pink is not blush but Candoglia marble; blue-green is Aquamarine; a soft peach is called Almond Blossom, and then there is a blue so ethereal, it could only be called Candy Sky. Dream-worthy colors meet exquisite textiles to create a most luxurious experience. It’s a form of elegance that’s so subdued: the quietest form of quiet luxury.

It’s difficult to convey the level of craftsmanship, the artisanal elegance, of Loro Piana. But no place could be better to wear these pieces than the Riviera, in those once-in-a-lifetime moments that deserve dressing up—the moments that, looking back, become some of the post poignant, poetic, and nostalgic snapshots. The times we think of when we dream, when we hear beautiful music, or catch a beautiful fragrance, and it fills us with a longing for what was.

And then there is Autori Capresi, makers of the finest linen. Previously, the family crafted linen for yacht sails, but that exactitude and craftsmanship is now elegantly employed in a clothing line. One glimpse of the exquisite Autori Capresi stores, white and almost cave-like in their architecture, evocative of Capri and Greece, and you can sense how special this collection is. Even the panels against which the clothing is displayed are made of fine linen—every element of the presentation is carefully considered. I’m not sure what it is about the South of France, but every time I dream of this setting, of strolling the countryside or walking along au bord de la mer, my dream involves wearing some effortless linen dress or skirt. Autori Capresi offers the finest linen imaginable, pieces honed by generations of skill, with a softness and lightness that clothes the wearer in a living daydream. Every caftan, dress, or jumpsuit is entirely hand-stitched—the process never involves machines—for an exceptionally artisanal experience. For nighttime, turn to a simple black dress of fine herringbone linen, the essence of minimal elegance.

Simkhai’s collection, inspired by sculpture and architecture, also feels very right for this Riviera daydream. Simkhai pieces feel both elegant and imminently wearable, and often include an element of surprise—an interesting silhouette, a crocheted detail, an elongated fringe hem with an interesting little circle pattern (very Sofia à la the honeymoon). Items from Altazurra seemed also to echo so many of those honeymoon details, including the littlest, most elegant nuances, like a trail of buttons that fall down the cuff of a shirtdress. And pieces from Luxe Provence live up to their namesake—fine, floating linen dresses and jumpsuits that practically beg for a lavender field to walk through (during golden hour, naturally).

Whether at home or abroad, create your own Côte d’Azur reverie by embracing the transporting potential of fashion. These looks are offered in every price range, and when styled correctly, and above all when worn with poise, each exudes an air of quiet luxury. The French expression, se mettre sur son 31, to dress up, certainly applies to this Edit. Even if your day takes you nowhere special, you never know—the old adage about dressing for the job you want may apply to the vacation you want, as well. May you elegantly stride in the direction of your dreams.