By now you've probably all seen the pictures of a burkini-clad Nigella Lawson, 51, on Bondi Beach. If not, brace yourselves....
First of all, let's set the record straight. I'm a big Nigella fan, largely because in a former more glamorous life I worked with her on a photoshoot, and she was beautiful and charming and totally professional. A dream. As for the burkini on the beach, you couldn't make it up. I know I'm worried about my sun spots, but really.
As we get older and the flesh starts to sag - for everyone's sake - it's best to cover up. And I do, when I'm in London. But holidays are a different matter. I cover up for sightseeing and nights out, but on the beach it's the devil may care approach for me. Well, it's highly unlikely that I'm going to bump into anyone I know, so what the heck. That's Not My Age has got the sunbed-to-surf dash down to a tee - and once I'm in the water no-one can see me anyway. Maybe I'd feel differently if I was in danger of being papped. But if I was in danger of being papped I wouldn't be seen dead in a saggy black all-in-one.
No. Here I am last year, on the way to the beach in France:
So anyway, my advice to Nigella is:
1. Get some factor 50 sunscreen.
2. Cover up in style with a flattering swimsuit (the one above is by Norma Kamali), a full-length kaftan and a floppy sun hat.
3. Don't go to the beach.
What do you wear to cover up on the beach?
Photos:
Nigella: Daily Mail
Swimsuit, Missoni sun hat, Alice by Temperley maxi dress and Cutler & Gross sunglasses: Net-a-Porter
OH MY GOODNESS. I hadn't seen this! What a monumental error of judgement by a woman who is usually pretty spot-on, style wise! Love your look.
ReplyDeleteI just posted a bathing suit question on my blog. I spend time at an outdoor pool not the beach so being able to actually swim is an issue. I like your cover up and I have several but it is when I'm in the water I'm concerned about.
ReplyDeleteThe bathing suit you show looks like a great one.
Darla
omg on so many levels. first, nigella, what are you thinking? i always think that the rich and famous must have someone advising them but clearly i'm mistaken in that belief. secondly, you look absolutely fabulous in your beach cover-up, so classy! and thirdly, i must get that norma kamali suit. it is just what the doc ordered.
ReplyDeletexo
janet
Wondering if this was worn on dermatologist's orders? It just looks *uncomfortable.*
ReplyDeleteI'm still in shock that she's 51! Whatever she's taking I'll have some, even if it means wearing a burkini!
ReplyDeleteK xx
When I read this today in the DM, it did cross my mind she is/was having everybody on...
ReplyDeleteA sarong and a white button-front shirt. Kind of sexy, kind of covered up. For the bathing suit itself, I have gone from maillot, to tankini, to bikini and back. Depends on the company:).
ReplyDeleteDarla - I know what you mean, I slap on lots of suntan lotion before I go into the sea and then dive back into the shade when I come out. I suppose if you're really concerned a v-neck t-shirt would protect the back and shoulders.
ReplyDeleteDeja Pseu - Nigella was definitely wearing the burkini to protect her skin but still there are other more comfortable ways!
Keshling - maybe that's where I'm going wrong?!
LPC - yes, the white shirt is always a good option.
Maybe it wasn't such an error on her part. After all, no one is commenting on her celulite or spare tyres and she's back in the papers again.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if she was doing this to set her kids an example? I see alot of concerned Aussie parents decking their kids out exactly like this on Australian beaches to protect them from the sun and skin cancer in later life. I do love your approach to sun protection though. You look very relaxed and chic and far more stylish in your beach cover up.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant, brilliant post and great quick response. She looks awful in this cover up thing. The swimsuit would have been much classier. I need new swimwear for this summer and have been looking at suits like the one you have suggested. Oh boy what next. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteI love Nigella but I wonder what she was thinking?
ReplyDeleteThe swimsuit you've picked is lovely. I wear a high factor and even higher on my face. I have tons of different beach cover ups from short ponchos to long dresses and kaftans.
This year I'm buying an umbrella too. The Actor thinks I've lost it xx
I guess she thought black would be slimming and big and ugly would be camouflage...for a beautiful woman, she has not a lot of taste....but she sure can cook!..what the heh, nobody is perfect...
ReplyDeleteA wide brimmed hat and elegant long sleeve kaftan would have done the job. Love the swimsuit.
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that N's outfit incorporates a little fancy print on the front! She must have been surfing or bodyboarding or something...surely? She must have been boiling hot, poor love. My beach wear involves lots of factor 50, a kaftan I bought from tesco, my summer straw hat and a spotty or stripy swimsuit in case the urge to venture into the water grips me. I have never worn an all-in-one complete with peaked cap...ever...
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny, hehehehe. Thank you for beeing there.
ReplyDeleteMuch love.
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You haven´t remove the WORD VERIFICATION, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
I am becoming your worst nightmare hehehhehe.
If you couldn´be bothered, thats ok too hehehheheh
A sarong is my saving grace. I tend to swim in fairly private places so I'm not actually too self-conscious about it. It's not so much extra weight that concerns me, but the loss of muscle tone...and the memory of how I once looked in a suit.
ReplyDeleteI think a beach holiday is the one time when you shouldn't worry at all about what other people think. Most of us look crap in a bikini, but we are all there to enjoy the sunshine so should just let it hang out. Most men do, and they are hardly picture postcards themselves! xx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a one-piece suit - Toast have some nice 50s -style ones, and I've been admiring a black and silver shirred costume by Anthropologie. A big white linen shirt to cover up, and a straw hat. I agree with Terri's comment; this is not just about size, muscle tone is important too. Last year at a rather luxe Italian hotel I saw a very elegant woman sunning by the pool. She was probably in her 60s, lovely slim figure verging on thin, beautifully cut silver grey hair. BUT she was wearing a tiny bikini, and when she stood up it was not flattering.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I wear on the beach? Usually a fleece, jeans and sturdy boots! But that's because I'm not at Bondi Beach but darkest Scotland!
ReplyDeleteThat black swimsuit you posted up is beautiful - just the sort of thing I'd wear!
Ali x
That was one scary photo. Thanks for preparing me. My body is not beach ready but you have to just let go. I do a sarong and a full coverage tankini. It is what it is. Love your style.
ReplyDeleteI found this whole thing amazing - I can barely tear my eyes away from the picture! Whether it's a lack of vanity or just a performance of lack of vanity I just think it's hilarious - and makes a nice change from the usual great for her age/let herself go tabloid coverage of older celebs at the beach.
ReplyDeleteOmg never saw that picture, almost feel sorry for her...
ReplyDeleteBirkini, lol. What an unfortunate look. I wonder if she had skin cancer and she's just being extra cautious. I love the maillot you show. Classic and timeless.
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