Vineyard Style

As much as I try to convince myself otherwise, there is no denying that summer is my favorite time of year and that there is no better place to relish in the charm of the season than Martha's Vineyard, a beautiful island located south of Cape Cod, in Massachusetts. Apart from simply being a favorite escape for many cultural icons, like the Kennedys, the quaint destination also offers a relaxed atmosphere filled with plenty of local shops, restaurants and beaches that are all easily accessible by bicycle-- the preferred mode of transport. This past August, my friends Allison, Diana and I all opted to take a few days off from our hectic work schedules to spend some time shopping and relaxing on the Vineyard, before getting ready for the mad "back to school" dash. Apart from providing all of us with a much needed break, the mid week excursion was also the perfect excuse to pull out our preppy gear and embrace our favorite New England summer styles. 

Gingerbread Cottages, "The Black Dog Tavern", "Sweet E's Cupcakes" and The Real Black Dogs

Since the Vineyard is technically a vacation spot, I opted to capture the laid back, nautical energy of the island through my look, composed of a pale yellow blouse and seersucker shorts. Keeping with the spirit of simple style, I paired the versatile basics with t- strap sandals, a thin headband, a vintage "knot" inspired belt (borrowed from Allison), a simple gold cuff and of course, some pearl earrings! To me, this outfit was the perfect mix of form and function, casual enough for exploring the Gingerbread Cottages in Oak Bluffs but also stylish enough for a quick lunch out at the always delicious, "Black Dog Tavern". Because the weather near the ocean can be temperamental, I choose to carry a bag big enough to hold a light cardigan and a windbreaker (very handy for our surprise encounter with a late afternoon rain shower). Allison stuck to chic and simple basics for her look, which was composed of a cropped beige sweater, airy polka dot shorts and soft grey sandals-- complete with fitting shell details. Diana's simple blouse, cross body bag and cluster earings were pretty and sophisticated, introducing a refreshing color palate that perfectly complemented a sea of blue and white tones.



Diana, Allison and I showing off our Vineyard looks



The only thing more exciting then actually going to the Vineyard is picking out clothes to wear on the trip and I feel very lucky to have a group of stylish friends who share this philosophy with me. This past week marks the arrival of February and the beginning of the official countdown to summer-- which will hopefully be filled with many more island adventures and of course, lots of wonderful clothes to match!