We all know that it’s a “tradition”, for every Greek and visitor of the city, to flee to the islands and coastal towns as soon as August hits. On one hand, abandoning the city and its relentless heat makes so much sense. However, I have my reasons to believe that staying put can be just as rewarding. Since I was a teenager I couldn’t understand this obsession with summer vacation. What a blasphemy it is not to enjoy new sights and soak up the sun! It reminds me a bit of Νew Υear’s Εve compulsiveness to attend a party, no matter what, and get fully wasted.
For me, summer represents relaxation accompanied by a more carefree attitude. Summer means thoughts of bright, happy days and anticipation of what’s about to come, which you can have anywhere in the world! I have spent lots of summers in Athens and I absolutely love it. It is, as if the city has consumed massive amounts of herbal tea. The streets shake off their traffic jam. There are fewer to no lines everywhere. And there is plenty of time to explore all the magical experiences Athens has to offer.
My summers in Athens consist of lots and lots of reading, listening to new music, rearranging my home decoration, eating watermelon, after dinner runs to the ice cream shop, film noir marathons at open air cinemas and visiting air-conditioned museums when it’s blazing outside. In terms of style, I try to be as summery as I can (since, Ι obviously prefer the cooler whispers of autumn or the stark silences of winter). You will never see me wearing open toe shoes or flowy dresses, but there’s a room for everyone. Actually, my goal is to reincarnate Billy Idol’s “Hot in the City” video clip, both in style and attitude, but it’s not that doable under the Greek temperatures.
So, let’s have a look at my Athenian summer:
Brunch Time
Even during my vacation I like to wake up early and seize the day. However, I have the bad habit of avoiding breakfast and just rush into the things I want to do. So, naturally, at some point I am hungry like the wolf. During the early hours, I don’t really enjoy being in crowded places, so since the city is empty, going out for brunch seems like a really good idea. My first choice is always a black outfit. But, lately, I’ve started to experiment with white, especially in monochromatic outfits. I also, discovered, that it really is true the fact that lighter colours absorb less UV rays, thus making it ideal for the hot city days. So, I wear my يانسون shirt and a simple custom made mini pencil skirt infused with black elements. A touch of elegance is needed so, I bring in the game my favourite Aenao silk scarf.
My favourite eats + more:
Apivita Experience Store Juice Bee Bar for the best smoothie of your life! (Try the ‘Bee Young’)
The night of the hunter
A trademark atmospheric experience of the Athenian summer: watching movies under the stars while smelling primrose and jasmine mingled with hot, buttered popcorn. What a delightful summer companion where you can create the perfect memories right in the heart of the city. I strictly like to watch old movies, sometimes even 2 in one day since most of the open air cinemas host 2 different screenings in the same night. So, I put on my Cavillace shorts with my LÆNESTOL blouse. As you can see the shorts are super super short so I choose to wear this outfit with a pointy vintage pair of Oxford shoes I bought some years ago from Paris without any socks (wearing high socks is my thing) because I want to show the whole length of my legs. After the movie, I will definitely go to my favourite bar for a beer because that’s my personal open air movie night ritual.
My favourite bars:
A visit or more at the museum
Escape the summer heat and immerse yourself into culture. Not only do museums provide a sanctuary from a hot summer day, but more importantly they offer a pleasant relief of your everyday troubles. It is a must for my summers because they are able to transport you to a different time and place. Moreover, there is a museum for everything and everyone. I prefer to go in the morning because it takes me a while to explore each exhibition. I just stand there, look, absorb and get inspired. A plain COS tank top with a Roussillon skirt. Me, Stella and Alexandra call this skirt for fun “the gladiator skirt” so it’s the perfect match for a museum trip. The Adidas bucket hat is mandatory because firstly the sun is burning and secondly my hair is a mess.
My favourite museums:
The Acropolis Museum (I love the temporary exhibitions as much as their permanent collection). There is a Robert McCabe exhibition running until the 8th of September.
MUSEUM OF THE B&E GOULANDRIS FOUNDATION. Another fantastic exhibition of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s work.
Oh, Blue Jean, look out world
I know that David Bowie was talking about a girl named Blue Jean but I like to think that it’s a song celebrating the cool, timeless and effortless nature of a pair of blue jeans. Or maybe I just misheard the lyrics when I was younger and it just stuck to my brain. Anyway, my vintage Guess blue jeans are the perfect partner to my evening strolls or sweet tooth alert. Combined with my personal favourite Marrakesh summer white shirt it takes me to all of my favourite paths and routes. From Thiseio, Filopappou and Ano Petralona to Dexameni Square and Lycabettus Hill. What I actually do is like a mapping of the glorious neoclassical buildings along with the ones that scream old Athens.
But sometimes, I like to go out just for a smoothie or an ice cream. It boosts my energy and it reminds me of my childhood when we used to count the number of ice creams we had. In this case I like to put on my “1” T-shirt. Fun fact is that the embroidery on the front is a painting made by Stella’s boyfriend, Dimitris, when he was a child! You get the hint!
Don’t be afraid
Of the world we made
On a hot summer night
Love,
Valisia