I’ve been on holiday the past couple of weeks, down in the south of France where it’s been green and pleasant. Not too hot, smatterings of occasional rain, and surrounded by nature. 

The clothes I took were uncharacteristically simple, and centred around taking three similar chambray shirts. All light blue, all loose in cut, with their own idiosyncrasies but functionally the same. 

I’ve been a little obsessed with chambray shirts in recent months, and one of the ones I took was a vintage US Navy shirt (pictured) that’s been washed so many times it’s thin to the point of being tissue. So soft though. 

Another was an old work shirt with embroidery across the back, bought at Magnolia Miss in Seoul, and the third was also from Korea: Jack Fort’s reinterpretation of a US Navy one. I’m fascinated by the way a piece such as this has been reworked and reworked, suiting different periods and people. 

So I took three chambrays for tops, and then three pairs of shorts below: beige Bruce shorts, white Rubato shorts and black Buck Mason ones. 

It was over 30 degrees most of the time, so shorts were the default. Trousers were for evenings, or a dinner at a casual little auberge in the forest. 

The main pair of trousers was the Orslow fatigues pictured – their summer weight, regular fit, size large/3. It’s a wide cut and I wouldn’t always wear this style, but the proportions go with the bigger, relaxed shirts. 

Shoes were mostly tan and black: Rondini ‘British’ sandals, PS boat shoes, Castaner ‘Pablo’ espadrilles and Novesta ‘Marathon’ trainers. The latter two were via Trunk; the boat shoes are being restocked this week. 

Hats, a Chamula straw (one of the few I’ve found that’s relaxed enough to wear casually) and my old faded blue Ralph cap. 

Other additions around the core: a white PS tee (useful for layering and for more active pursuits) and three layering options for chillier evenings/mornings: a white vest, a red watch cap, and a PS sleeveless sweater. 

These kind of light, flexible options are often more useful for travelling than a big chunky sweater. If – to take an example at random – you’re on an early morning ferry to Île de Ré, a cashmere watch cap adds a lot of warmth, but can be taken off and stuffed in a bag as soon as the day warms up. 

At the last minute, as there was room in the suitcase, a pair of pale-green trousers from De Bonne Facture were added, plus a Rubato short-sleeve brown linen shirt. Both proved, not essential, but nice variations. The cut of the Rubato shirt is particularly nice with wide trousers.  

I think that’s it. I do enjoy wearing shirts and brimmed hats when I can (rather than T-shirts and caps) and it’s been nice to work a holiday wardrobe around them. 

Any questions, as ever, let me know.