The “Not At-Home” Diary: When White Is Right

What I really felt was a gamut of emotions as I flew to Portugal last week.

I felt spoilt and privileged to leave in what was really a very safe and easy transit. The airport was quiet and well managed, masks at all times during the transit and Lisbon took the whole routine very seriously.

For once the small irritations of travelling became joys; what I once would complain about I almost welcomed. Fellow passengers must have felt the same – smiles were many and patience bountiful. There was no scrambling and pushing for overhead baggage or arm wrestling for personal space; flying was an entirely civilised and ‘new’ experience. How long will it last in Europe? Nobody has the answer but I wanted to take advantage while we could. Winter may bring another round and we will be isolating and home-alone again.

Lisbon; It is safe to say I fell in love.

There is a lightness to Lisbon with the creamy pastels and whitewashed walls. Azure Blue, egg custard yellow and Calamine pink contrast against the multitude of whites running up and down the hills. Walking is one way to experience the patina of the buildings and certainly one way to get fit.

Taking for granted so much of how and where we live seems never more clear to me after months of lockdown and final escape. Our eyes become immune to the nature of where we live and I want to change that. Do we pretend to be tourists in our own city? Perhaps time to reflect this year will enable us all brighter eyes? In Lisbon my eyes were never busier, darting here and there to take in a zillion small details; it’s what I do, observe.

And from my observations, I make decisions.

Like more pastels and now the creamy shades and whites. Wearing black seemed all wrong in Portugal and now with the rising temperatures and ever-present sunshine in London, why not wear more white? At least pretty blouses to offset our darker pieces.

Slowly I am re-defining a summer wardrobe.

It is a result of reflection, of lockdown and of observation. A wardrobe to include lighter shades and more feminine styles and it’s not to say life won’t dictate tailoring as we progress to winter but my prediction is we will want to dress in a more relaxed manner, even then.

After the shirt dress, the next piece I am incorporating into my wardrobe is the soft white blouse. I see myself wearing it with the slip skirt we talked about and the cargo pants. The idea of the feminine smock or floaty with the utility of my cargo pants really appeals. Plus a cute jacket and without much effort we have re-invented another look.

There is a style I have been searching for. Let’s call it elegant bohemian.

It’s not a man-style or evening type of blouse but one we would define as more relaxed, casual but not too twee or childish. Frills, smocking and fancy can go against us if we don’t interpret them in a sophisticated way.

This is what I’m thinking. xv