Marge Sherwood

It’s mid-August and I want to spend these last few weeks of summer soaking up as much of it as I possibly can, and I’m taking my sartorial inspiration from Anthony Minghella’s The Talented Mr Ripley. The first part of the story is set in 1950’s southern Italy, where Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) and his girlfriend Marge Sherwood (Gwyneth Paltrow) live a carefree lifestyle lazing on the beach, sailing and listening to jazz.

In the book, Patricia Highsmith wrote of Marge: “She was back in her bathing suit, too, a tomato-coloured bathing suit, and she wore a striped shirt over it.” This essence of Marge’s style was perfectly encapsulated in the film - her wardrobe is timeless, easy and relaxed with a feminine feel.

Images from IMDB

The white shirts tied over swimsuits, dresses, everything. Natural fabrics and rustic materials. It feels languorous and easy, just how I want the last days of summer to be. Spending the day on the beach in the perfect high-waisted bikini, throwing a shirt and skirt over your warm skin to head back home, changing into a sundress and drinking martinis on the patio whilst the sun goes down. Pure bliss.

Channelling Marge’s relaxed elegance is pretty simple, primarily because her style has never faded. These timeless pieces reappear every summer and I actually have most of them in my wardrobe already. Just put them all together, et voila.

Bikini top // H&M
Bikini bottoms // H&M
Linen shirt // ARKET
Skirt // MES DEMOISELLES
Basket // BOHEMIA
Espadrilles // CASTAÑER
Headband // MARKS AND SPENCER
Perfume // TOM FORD