Steamy weather may still be a few weeks away, but I had the chance to jump the gun by heading to Miami this week. I was invited to cover Chanel's cruise collection, and when Karl calls, it's hard to resist.
I decided to turn my trip into a prep course for summer. It made me realize how much there is to do before June 20! Here, then, are my top 10 tips on how to get "beach babe" ready.
Waxing It's an unpleasant reality, but bikini time calls for perfection. To make matters more bearable, look for a spa that uses Azulene wax. The bright blue liquid wax is spread on, hardens and is then pulled straight off - no cloth strips required.
Pedicure I'm sporting OPI's Greek to Me - a zippy raspberry shade with a slight iridescent sheen. The day after it appeared on my toes, three guys complemented me on the colour.
Fake tan I used to get spray tans religiously - until I started seeing photos of myself looking unnaturally bronzed. Okay, slightly orange. So I tried the Coco treatment offered at Gee Beauty in Toronto ( http://www.geebeauty.com). An aesthetician wearing rubber gloves massages St. Tropez lotion all over your body (very Helmut Newton, very kinky). The finished colour is a bit splotchy, but at least I won't be mistaken for a kumquat.
The F word It's been a long, chocolate-filled winter. While I know I'm not actually fat, sometimes I feel I am. Just the other day, I told my boyfriend that I was "feeling fat," and instead of telling me I was crazy he said, "Well, we both are, sweetie." It's time to take the gym more seriously.
Shoes Nothing says summer more than sandals. From strappy platforms to comfy flats, you can never have too many. For South Beach I packed my red suede Abel Munoz platform heels and my black patent Mephisto flip-flops, which sport a big white flower on each shoe.
Sunglasses Because this accessory is worn smack dab on your face, I'm adamant about changing up my shades. My faves are tortoiseshell Oliver Goldsmiths with a 1970s feel. But if you want to get longevity out of a pair, go for classic darker colours and skip the fancy coloured frames that are popular at the moment.
Totes The utilitarian bag has turned into a major fashion statement: There are umpteen options when it comes to lugging your stuff around. My favourites include my Chanel "garbage bag," my Louis Vuitton "shopping bag" and my Michael Kors python extravaganza. But the simple straw carry-all bag I bought at the market in Avignon, France, a couple of years ago will never go out of style.
Bathing suit Jungle prints are in this year, but my little leopard bikini is reserved for abandoned beaches only these days. If you're feeling shy, find a flattering black one-piece. I'm going with mine from last summer: It's not thrilling, but the prospect of trying on a gazillion more suits is even less so.
Beach cover-up It's all about caftans and Indian-style shirts this season. I wore a peach embroidered chiffon pullover from Toronto's Indiva ( http://www.indivaretail.com) as evening attire last summer. But now that I've strutted my exotic shirt out and about for a while, I'm retiring it to the beach.
Colour I'll never get enough black, but I'm determined to let colour creep in. A lightweight, electric blue Lida Baday zippered anorak has made its way into my late spring wardrobe, and I know it'll be the perfect piece for those breezy summer nights ahead.
Jeanne Beker is the host
of FashionTelevision and the
editor-in-chief of FQ magazine