An equal opportunity approach to dressing like produce
As the charm of a Mediterranean summer takes over our social media, a new crop of style influencers are dressing for hot and unhurried days, perhaps spent making handmade pasta al’arrabiata at their Tuscan agriturismo.
The Tomato Girl takes her name from the fruit of the season – hanging heavy on the orchard trees, sliced fresh for Caprese salads, and boiled down to the aforementioned flavoursome sauce. While her attire is, of course, inspired by sun-drenched reds, it also includes natural colours that suggest glimpses of the coast through the washing line in an overgrown garden – sea blue, sand, crisp white, green. It’s whimsical, to wit.
Like many new fashion trends, its roots stretch to time-honoured nostalgia. A yearning for slower times, and an appreciation of quiet moments can be satisfied through the slow travel way of life – or, at least, spritzing your daily outfits with items you wish to wear while sipping away on an extended vacation. Suitably, the trend flourishes when combined with the old Italian glamour of Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida and, more recently, Monica Bellucci.
Despite its regional-specific nomenclature, the Tomato Girl knows no bounds. Yes, she is Emma Chamberlain gliding on a Venetian boat in a vintage red dress and golden Cartier. But she is also Jennie of Blackpink fame, wearing a fitted sundress with a floral print, backstage at a recent concert.
A Tomato Girl embraces an endless summer, which also sees the harvesting of berries, olives, grapes and lemon(cello). As part of her spirit of abundance, we may as well take the time to add other fruity fashions to our shopping basket.
Meaning ‘all fruits’ in Italian, Tutti Frutti styles (much like the confectionery) celebrate the sweetest produce from the land, albeit artificially. Lisa Says Gah samples the good life with white tanks, bikinis and shorts covered in branches of olives, wedges of lemons and a pair of Padrón peppers. And that’s not to mention the indulgence of cheese and crustaceans added to the print plate.
For those not ready to wear five-plus a day, the aptly named Fruity Booty offers stretch-to-fit souvenir shirts featuring either oranges or strawberries, with tangy contrasting colours. For good measure, add an off-the-shoulder ruffled white sundress with pomegranate red piping.
Cherries, in particular, are ripe for the picking – from Reformation’s Cheesecake print in a range of smocked dresses, to the cherry-reds for Mirror Palais’ frilled concoctions. Inspired by sultry nights in Ibiza (and, surely, the iconic Pacha nightclub), Jacquemus’ vibrant cherry accessories will help you take a bite out of the trend. If you can’t quite fork out $500 on a pair of clip-on earrings, make like Instagram’s Daniela Garza and thread twin cherries through a hoop earring by their sharked stalk.
Retro stores are particularly well placed to serve the Tutti Frutti trend, thanks to their flavour of fun. Manolo Blahnik’s berry mules can be plucked from Sororité Vintage, and a fruit bowl-inspired Murano glass necklace is waiting patiently for a new home on Vestiaire Collective.
While we wait for homegrown labels to roll out their resort and spring/summer collections, the picnic table is set with sweet gingham prints from Ruby and Hej Hej. Meanwhile, Mahsa, Mina and Marle offer soft blouses, dresses and skirts crafted from natural fibres, made for your closest farmer’s market. For those who prefer spirited over sweet, Caitlin Crisp’s event dresses in a silky limoncello will go down a treat.
You may even like to pick up a hand-woven bag to collect your produce. Masters of the elevated market bag in Europe – Loewe and Bottega Veneta – are offering their carry-alls in citrus tones this season, be they rustic raffia or luxury leather.
As with the nonchalant Tomato Girls, there is no right or wrong when it comes to savouring Tutti Frutti fashion. Only a zest for life.