My introduction to fur came early in life, at about eight-years-old. My father used to take me with him to his fancy parties and I’d hide in the cloakroom fawning the furs all night. There were minks, sables and chinchillas, some jackets and gillets, others long to the ground. This was Gstaad in the 80s –– decadent, flashy, over-the-top. The chinchilla was the softest thing I’d ever felt. Then came the lessons from my grandmother. Yiayia loved fur coats and she had plenty of them. Hats and cuffs, too. When I was in my mid-20s, she sent me a mink in the mail. She’d picked it up at a consignment store at the plaza near her apartment in North Palm Beach. It was beautiful, but I was never sure how to wear it. I’m still not sure. The truth is, I haven’t loved fur since my cloakroom days. I don’t feel comfortable in it. Maybe if ever go to the ballet in St. Petersburg, I’ll bring out my mink. It even has my name stitched into the lining.

On what occasion might I wear white lace under tiers of chartreuse silk? Certainly not to drink a glass of rosé on my friend’s terrace as this señorita is so chicly doing. I love getting dressed up, and I wish I made more of an effort, even it’s just drinks with a neighbour. But comfort and ease, i.e. jeans and t-shirt, always win. Yesterday, I mentioned accessories, and shoes, belts and tiaras are an easy-peasy way to up the ante on an outfit. Here, just the earrings, rings and teal velvet shoes would do it for me. But it’s a good reminder though, that sometimes, it’s fun to get totally over-dressed for no reason.

“If there was a choice on spending a lot of money on accessories or dress, I always chose accessories,” said the fabulous Iris Apfel. Some women have a knack for taking cotton basics to the next level with one or two carefully chosen accessories. My friend Patricia is one such woman. Yesterday, she paired a black turtle neck and grey joggers with huge cardinal red plastic hoops. Her look reminded me of Balenciaga Spring 2018 –– simple, sexy, standout.

Jeans are the most ubiquitous clothing item ever –– how you wear them is what makes your pair unique. Paired with bare feet and a simple cotton t-shirt is always a favourite. I personally love to see jeans dressed up with a breathtaking top and standout heels. And much to my grandmother’s chagrin, (she had a strict no denim after sundown policy) I’m fine with denim at the opera. In fact, I think denim can go anywhere.

I swim at the local community centre a few times a week, and my preference is always clean, sporty swimwear. Even on holiday, I’ll opt for something simple and streamlined. That said, there’s always room for at least one decadent maillot in my Longchamp. This one from Miu Miu has my name on it. Sadly though, it’s the price of an airline ticket to the Seychelles.

My son went to school today wearing black leggings with white socks pulled way up above his knees, and a t-shirt that says, “I will change the world.”  Oh, to be so bold. I can’t say that he’s entirely unselfconscious when it comes to getting dressed –– he shuns pink, for starters –– but he does have a weirdo style that is all his own. My older brother went through a knee high sock phase, too. Despite all the teasing, he refused to wear his socks any other way. He had skinny little legs like my son does –– they remind me a great deal of one another. I heard my husband this morning as Antimo came downstairs, “do you feel good, do you feel comfortable?” “Yes, Papa ––  I do.”

It’s that time of year, when it’s too soon for a woolly hat, and too chilly to step out with your noggin uncovered. Enter le beret. It’s the perfect fall topper; just enough felt to keep you warm, and just enough French to keep you cool. I have a red one somewhere, brought back from Dijon by my grandmother. Red is a good colour for a beret. But really, any hue will do.

I came across the Austin-based clothing line, Esby today –– and my wish list is long. It all looks so easy and wearable. I’ll take a cotton Ikat dress, a pair of high waisted cream denim pants, and this effortless tomato red romper. The bathing suit styles, all simple and athletic, are super. And the menswear looks pretty swipeable, too.

Red and turquoise is a dynamite colour combination, in my view. Add shimmer, sequins and plenty of barely pink tulle, and Delpozo just whipped up Cinderella’s perfect frock. In fact, in my fairytales, Ariel, Aurora, Belle et al. are all dressed by Josep Font.