Bonjour, gorgeous β it's early October and the light has turned liquid gold, which means one thing: this is the last sweet stretch for outdoor shoots before the coats come out. For Vol. 9 I chased three settings this series has never touched β misty emerald rice terraces at sunrise, an overwater bungalow deck in a turquoise lagoon, and a palm-lined seaside promenade with a vintage bicycle in tow. Vol. 8 gave me village steps, an oasis and a rooftop; today is entirely new geography. Three looks β activewear, swimwear, and casual chic β tuned to the season's in-between weather. Let's run. π₯
There's a fifteen-minute window at sunrise when mist drifts over the paddy fields like breath β and I was striding through it, three-quarter view, windbreaker billowing. My kit: a terracotta-ember ribbed sports bra, espresso-brown high-waist sculpt leggings, an ivory cropped zip windbreaker worn slipped off the shoulders (the crop-of-the-season move), chunky white trainers built for ridge paths, a mini camel running backpack and aviators pushed into windswept hair. Styling note: warm earth tones against emerald green is autumn's most photogenic contrast β keep the layers oat and ivory so the terracotta pops. Wear it to: sunrise hikes, terrace walks, any cool morning that deserves an outfit with a pulse.
Mid-morning in the lagoon: water so clear you can count the coral below the deck. I sat on the warm teak edge, legs dipped, wringing sea spray from my hair β the kind of candid frame that never survives a posed shoot. The look: a coral-pink ribbed triangle bikini with gold ring hardware, a sheer white sarong knotted loose at the hip, a wide-brim straw hat tipped back, a delicate gold anklet and hoops β and absolutely no shoes, obviously. Styling note: coral against turquoise is the loudest love story in resort fashion; a sheer sarong is instant polish without hiding the swim. Wear it to: overwater bungalows, yacht decks, pool days that deserve an audience.
The finale rolled at 6pm sharp, when the promenade lamps flicker on and everything turns amber. I strolled my mint-green vintage bicycle along the palms β one hand on the handlebar, the other catching my hair, laughing at absolutely nothing. Wearing: a cider-gold ribbed knit midi dress with a thigh-high slit, a slim tan leather belt, an oversized camel blazer slipping off both shoulders, brown leather platform sandals, gold hoops and a woven mini crossbody. Styling note: tone-on-tone autumn golds (cider, camel, tan) read expensive in low sun β the mint bicycle is the one deliberate clash, and it makes the whole frame. Wear it to: coastal weekend walks, sunset aperitivo strolls, anywhere with a boardwalk and good light.
Dawn mist, lagoon sparkle, and a golden-hour boardwalk β three skies in one day, and not one of them a rerun. So tell me, darlingβ¦ which of these postcards do you want to be standing in? ππ
Chasing the light until the coats win, Monica π€
