Welcome to Checklist, the format where Benoît, David, Jordan and I present our suitcases to you for going on vacation!
For the first episode, Benoît presented his vacation checklist to you in the Basque Country. And this time, it's my turn! This summer (if all goes well), I should go to Glénans.
“But Nicolò, what are the Glénans?” you will ask me.
Well, Les Glénans is an associative sailing school which organizes courses on the Breton archipelago of the same name. And usually , that would probably be the last place you would think about getting dressed.
Imagine for a second: you are on an internship for a week on an island without running water or electricity, sleeping in tents, with a ration of one bucket of water per person per day to wash yourself.
You spend most of your day in a lycra suit sailing, and the rest of the time collective household chores await you. Needless to say, this is not the best time to strike a pose in an immaculate white linen shirt.
But hey, at the risk of sounding like a fool, I have to admit that taking nice clothes wherever I go makes me feel like I'm at home wherever I go. And then, at worst, if I get picked on a little by the other interns, it's always a good way to start a conversation and discuss what we do for a living!
Here are the ten pieces that I take to carry out my misdeed, the “crime weapons”: that of persisting in pleasing myself with clothes, even at the most inappropriate moment possible.
PS: I encourage you to find out about this superb association that is Glénans, as well as its history, more than half a century old. In a world where everything can seem expensive, it's really a UFO on an economic level (you'll be surprised at how financially accessible an internship is), based on volunteering
And despite the somewhat "roots" side of the conditions on the island, I guarantee that you will emerge relaxed and radiant, disconnected from the virtual "noise" of our modern world, and that you will have met some great people.
#1 Suitcase “H6” - Horizn Studios
Horizn Studios is a great brand that Benoît often talks about, and if I start with the suitcase itself, because it really has major assets for the context. It is made of a flexible and light material. However, to disembark on the island, you must carry the suitcase with your feet in the water... And prevent it from falling.
And the second advantage is the integrated external battery right here: it's ALWAYS useful when traveling, but then when you go to an island where there is only one electrical outlet for 50 people, I might as well tell you that it's the Graal.
#2 Merino silk pajamas set - Hanro
Yes it's totally improbable, but this is a Henley matched with a "ski tights" type bottom. And the best thing about this set is that it's half silk, half merino. Thanks to the merino, it keeps bad odors at bay very well, and the silk makes it much more robust than I thought given its fragile and precious appearance. In Glénans, it saves my life because in the tents, it is very, very hot during the day, but the temperature can drop quite suddenly at night!
#3 Linen-Cotton Bermuda shorts - BonneGueule
A good pair of Bermuda shorts is essential on vacation. And I took the one we released last year. The fabric is super nice, it’s beautiful, and the cut suits me well. Nothing to add, that's what is needed.
#4 Striped linen shirt - NN07
I picked up this linen shirt last summer on sale at Mr. Porter, and I haven't worn it much in the meantime because even though I found it super beautiful, I had trouble integrating it into outfits. . Well, imagine that it matches the color of the Bermuda shorts perfectly.
#5 Shirts - Percival
I decided that wherever there was sea and sun, I would take Cuban collar shirts. It's a bit my way of decreeing vacations. So I take my two Percivals: a white one with a tone-on-tone check weave. And one with a Japanese print representing roosters!
#6 “Water Resistant” leather sandals - Mr. Olive
This really is the ultimate pair of flip flops for me. MR Olive is a fairly confidential Japanese brand. All the leather has undergone a tanning process which makes it “water resistant”. The salt and the sun have just faded the color of the straps a lot, but I find them even more beautiful this way!
#7 Linen and leather sneakers - Buttero
A great pair of sturdy linen sneakers, which have already had a lot of experience. As the linen fabric is only lined at the heel counters, they breathe really well.
#8 “Setter” swim shorts - Orlebar Brown
These are my only swim shorts. It's good, the fabric holds up well over time and doesn't fade, the cut is nice, and the brand's signature little tightening tabs look good. Well between us Orlebar Brown is very expensive, I bought it but their advantage lies in their numerous cuts, with different lengths. For me, this version, a little shorter than the standard, is perfect.
#9 “MP2 Sun” sunglasses - Oliver Peoples
Well yes, you definitely need sunglasses. So in my mini-collection, I choose those whose lenses are blue like the sea. Also, it has a protection factor 3, so they do the trick to protect against the reflections of the sun on the water. On the other hand, I'm going to have to tie them with an ugly cord around my head so they don't fall into the water, but I'm not going to show you that.
#10 BONUS: Flat belt swim shorts - Vilebrequin
And as a bonus, if I could, I would have brought this Vilbrequin swimsuit with a flat belt. Simply because it reminds me of the belted pants that I love to wear all year round, and I would have found it super cool to be able to transpose the idea to my swim shorts.
If you look closely, a discreet tone-on-tone check pattern appears on the shorts.
