Those who watched The Serpent – the BBC’s retelling of the crime spree of Charles Sobhraj on Southeast Asia’s hippie trail in the ’70s – will have been shocked by the cold-blooded lead characters and the engrossed by the compelling storytelling.
But visually, many viewers felt a conflicting emotion; because stylistically, it looked fantastic, with the leads becoming style icons, and viewers confessing that they were obsessed with Jenna Coleman’s (who played Sobhraj’s wife Monique) wardrobe.
Were you equally as inspired by Jenna Coleman’s stylish onscreen looks? You’re not alone. Various news reports even suggested that searches for halter necks, headscarves, big sunglasses and bold prints had all risen hugely after the show’s first episode aired.
Perhaps the best thing Coleman captured so well was a certain poolside glamour, which was both effortless and so on point. We’re taking a leaf from her style book this year, with these 5 IDEAL accessories for some poolside glamour this summer.
PRINTED SILK HEAD SCARVES
According to Woman and Home, the Serpent’s costume designer ‘’Rachel Walsh recently named Bianca Jagger as one of her influences when working on the drama, and this is most apparent in Monique’s love of a good hair accessory.’’
Silk headscarves are a great way to add some colour and personality to your summer style. Choose geometric, big bold prints and squiggly multi-coloured patterns, and pair with some hoop earrings to really up the ante.
There are, of course, many ways to wear a silk headscarf. You can easily update a low pony with a silk scarf – just roll and tie around a secured ponytail. Equally, you can tie it in a bandana style to tame unruly poolside hair. And when it’s not on your head as a headband, loop it through your jeans or around a bag handle for a little added flourish.
OVERSIZED TINTED GLASSES
Sunglasses can elevate your poolside style hugely. In fact, aside from your swimsuit or bikini, they are the poolside staple.
This year, it’s all about tinted, oversized, sunglasses, and the bigger the better, we say. Ophthalmologists and optometrists (that’s eye doctor to you and me) agree, saying that those larger, wider frames offer better protection for your eyes, too. Shop for bug-eyed shades and pair with square-shaped rims and colored tinted lenses to be bang on-trend. We’re also fans of quirky-out cat-eye frames, should you be seeking inspiration from the feline fashion world.
We love cool shades that make a style statement, but remember that the number one job of sunglasses is to protect your eyes from sun damage. Check the label for the level of UV protection – to stay safe from the sun, always go for 100% UV protection, from both UVA and UVB rays. If the shades you’ve been cooing over don’t have it, walk away, no matter how cute they are. Check out our guide on 5 tips for choosing the IDEAL sunglasses this summer for more advice.
We saw Coleman wear plenty of different sunglass styles throughout the entire show. So treat yourself to more than one pair!
A SUN HAT
After a year spent mostly indoors, you’re definitely going to need a sun hat to shade and protect your face. Fusing style and utility, a sun hat will be your new best friend in the summer months, since your face won’t have been exposed to the sun extensively for quite some time. You can style your poolside look with plain sun hats or striped floppy ones; or, you could try both! Not simultaneously, of course.
We’re particular fans of Scalloped hats with a wide brim, or a natural weave Panama hat with frayed edges. No matter what style you choose, the guys at Thread Curve tell us that good sun hats should have a very wide brim, big enough to cover the wearer’s entire face, for ultimate protection and a little incognito glamour, too.
KAFTANS & KIMONOS
A white crochet kaftan? Yes, please. We saw Jenna Coleman’s character in a sheer white cover-up that is covered in intricate embellishment and, immediately, we wanted one, too!
Kaftans and kimonos are an essential component of a poolside summer wardrobe; ideal if you just want to lounge around by the pool or if you need to cover up after an extended spell in the sun. Not only are they the perfect swimsuit cover-up, but they also pair effortlessly with denim cut-offs and a top.
A MEDIUM WEDGE SHOE
Chic wedges are the perfect partner for swimwear whilst you strut around poolside. Offering that leg lengthening power which heels can provide, they have an effortlessness (and frankly, avoid looking a little less ridiculous than high or kitten heels in this context) when paired with your swimwear.
We do, however, recommend going for a low to medium wedge. The high-heeled wedges can look a little over the top, and, more importantly, are a broken ankle incident waiting to happen – especially by the pool. If you’re not one for wearing something with height, opt for a pair of heavily embellished sandals, instead.