016: Endless Summer
Malibu Woo Woo🌊 + Beach Babe Aesthetic 👙+ My Favorite Looks ✨+ Dive In 🌞
Cover credits: Hannah/Crawford Models; photo and collage, @amyluxox.
Happy July, fashion lovers and friends—hope you are feeling fabulous!
Thank you so much for being here. I know I say it often, but I truly appreciate your time and attention. In a world overflowing with newsletters, social media posts, endless advertising, and constant requests to click, subscribe, and buy, choosing to spend a few minutes with me means a lot.
Honestly, I don’t know about you, but too much screen time tends to suck the life right out of me. The fight for attention is real these days, and I don’t take that lightly. My goal is to share a style based newsletter that is inspiring, informative and enjoyable.
Building a blog and newsletter in 2026 is not for the faint of heart—especially after doing it almost effortlessly twenty years ago. Back then, the internet felt new and easier to navigate. If you created great work and shared interesting content, people found you. Communities grew organically, and connections felt more genuine. However, as I’ve discovered, the game has changed. Algorithms, paid advertising, and influencer marketing have largely taken over, making it pretty difficult to be seen. It’s a strange in-between space: loving the creative process while wondering if anyone is actually seeing what you create.
I could pay for followers, fill my content with sponsorships, or perhaps launch a wildly successful OnlyFans feet-fetish empire—but none of those things align with who I am. I simply love clothes, style, photography, and creating beautiful things. My passion for fashion outweighs my occasionally bruised ego, so I keep showing up and doing what I love.
That said, if you know someone who might enjoy this newsletter—whether they find it inspiring, entertaining, helpful, or simply fun to read—I would be so grateful if you shared it with them. The newsletter is free (for now), and the reality of today’s algorithms is that the more people who subscribe, the more likely it is to be shared with others.
I believe in divine timing, and I trust that the right people will find their way here. Still, there is something incredibly encouraging about seeing a new subscriber join this little community.
Thank you for being part of it, and thank you for listening to my rant.
Now, back to fashion.
July is the heart of summer—long sunny days, vacation vibes, and effortless dressing. I love hearing about everyone’s summer plans. Here in LA, where so many people are from somewhere else, it seems like everyone is headed off on some fabulous adventure.
One of the lovely things about living here (and beach communities in general) is that you don’t necessarily have to go far to feel like you’re on vacation. You can pack some snacks, grab a beach towel, and drive to Malibu. Sometimes that’s all you need.
I also love the ease of summertime style. Easy-peasy is very much the theme. I go through phases where summer clothes bore me a little because they’re so simple by nature—cotton dresses (the same ones on repeat), linen shirts, tank tops, and denim cut-offs. Then I have moments where I’m absolutely thrilled by the idea of zipping out the door with no layers required. The simplicity feels refreshing.
Like most women, I don’t naturally love the idea of prancing around in a swimsuit. That’s an acquired skill set I’m still working on. But I’ve mostly stopped letting those feelings keep me from enjoying the sun and sand. If you don’t seize the day now, when will you?
At this stage of my life, I’ve been reflecting on the things that have held me back over the years, and self-image and insecurity have certainly played a role. That doesn’t make me unique. In fact, I can’t think of a single woman in my life who hasn’t struggled with body image at some point. More often than not, those insecurities are unwarranted and deeply self-destructive. Plus, they get in the way of having fun—and that’s the whole point, I’m pretty sure. Right?!
It’s ironic that the very things we spend years criticizing about ourselves are often the things we later wish we’d appreciated more. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to spend less time worrying about how she looked and more time enjoying where she was. Just put the suit on and dive in.
This month, I’m sharing some adventures from June, a look at elevated beach gear and easy ways to upgrade your seaside style, and what I’m currently reading. I have a pseudo book club with my friend Karla—she always knows the good books to read. 😉
I’ve also included more images from my beach shoot with Hannah from Crawford Models. I’ve always loved stylish summertime editorials, so I’m thrilled to share these photos. Hannah was an absolute pro. The day we shot in Malibu was windy and freezing, yet you’d never know it from the images.
I also put together a collection of iconic swimwear inspiration because it always comes back to the icons. Think Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, and Sue Lyon—all legends. I often wonder if they knew at the time how many mood boards and Pinterest saves they’d inspire decades later.
The images are also a wonderful reminder of just how chic a straw hat can be. Thankfully, they’re having a major moment right now. Apparently tanning is making a comeback among teens, which is difficult for me to wrap my head around. I certainly wish I had embraced sun hats earlier in life. These days I’m spending a small fortune trying to undo the sun damage I accumulated as a teenager—money that could have been spent on shoes.
For Lu’s List, I’ve rounded up some truly incredible swim looks. Whether it’s the influence of The White Lotus or The People We Meet on Vacation, resort wear is absolutely having a moment this season. The pieces feel elevated, interesting, and especially chic.
I hope you enjoy this edition and, as always, please feel free to reach out with your style questions and queries. I genuinely love receiving them.
Lastly, may your summer days be filled with moments that matter, salty air, sunshine, and plenty of sand between your toes.
Love and Style,
amyluxox
P.S. “You will rarely outperform your self-image.” — James Clear ✨
I love this quote by author James Clear. Its truth can be applied to just about anything, including having fun in the summer.
Last Month’s Adventures
June was full of so many fun adventures. I filled it with all of my favorite things to do: theatre with Chloé (Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen was ah-mazing—highly recommend!), Malibu beach walks (Point Dume is my favorite spot), and hikes with friends (Fryman is the bomb, even though they’ve started charging for parking… rude!).
I also attended an Ayurvedic yoga retreat with Chrissy Gonzalez. It was such a lovely day—I honestly wish I could do one of these retreats every month. I feel like the midlife algorithm of workshopping myself is in overdrive, but I love it all: meeting people, learning, and prioritizing self-care. Bring it on!
Here are a few images from the yoga retreat in Malibu (and one lucky wish from Palm Springs).
The retreat was held at a beautiful private residence in Malibu, just steps from the beach. Fresh flowers filled every corner. We practiced yoga, learned about Ayurveda—a 5,000-year-old holistic healing system from India—ate incredible vegan food, walked down to the beach, and, most importantly, made genuine connections with one another.
I love the sense of community these kinds of experiences create. In the age of AI and social media, I believe that creating opportunities for people to connect is where the future lies—getting back to being human.
Beach Babe!
Credits: Hannah/Crawford Models; photo and collage, @amyluxox.
For this swimwear shoot with Hannah, I wanted to incorporate elements of streetwear and layer on accessories to make the looks feel more captivating. I’m always drawn to slightly sporty, skate-inspired beach style—think ‘90s SoCal vibes mixed with elevated island ease. Crinkle swimsuits, stripes, straw hats, layered beads, and stacks of bangles, all with a sun-faded, effortlessly worn-in feel.
Here are a few images from our shoot—more of the story can be found over on Instagram.
Get The Look
Collage and image,@amyluxox. Product images sourced directly from the respective brands.
Beach Look Legends
Credits (Clockwise from Top Left):
Sophia Loren is 1961’s Madame Sans Gêne, © Getty Images.
Bo Derek sporting her infamous braids, © Globe Photos
Brigitte Bardot in Saint Tropez in 1968, © Getty Images.
Brigitte Bardot in an epic straw hat, artist unknown.
Sue Lyon in 1962’s Lolita, ©United Archives/Getty Images.
Brigitte Bardot in 1959, © Sam Levin.
From the glamorous beaches of the Italian Riviera to the chic ones of Saint-Tropez, a handful of women essentially defined the art of seaside style. Sophia Loren embodied elegance with her curve-hugging silhouettes, oversized shades, and bold confidence. Bo Derek’s braided beach look in 10 became the very picture of athletic, sun-kissed sensuality in the late seventies. Sue Lyon, forever associated with youthful sophistication in the early sixties, brought a polished femininity to resort dressing, often pairing classic swimwear with playful accessories. And Brigitte Bardot perfected the effortless allure of the French beach babe, favoring straw hats over her tousled hair, and an easy sensuality that continues to inspire summer wardrobes today.
Lu’s List: Chic Beach
Credits (left to right):
Prada One-Piece ($1250), available at FARFETCH. Love the retro summer-camp vibe. I’d pair this with cuffed cargo shorts, a cropped zip-up hoodie, and slides.
Loewe + Paula Ibiza Square Frame Shades ($420), available at NET-A-PORTER. I appreciate accessories that are basically an outfit in and of themselves. Throw these on with basically anything and you’ll look like a movie star.
Alémais Soleil D’Amour Printed Swimsuit ($315), available at MYTHERESA. This artisanal one-piece is elegant and interesting. The deep V-neckline and self-tie belt are especially flattering.
Prada Crochet Hat ($1070), available at PRADA. Hats are both practical and trending right now. This crocheted bucket hat is a lovely alternative to the more wide-brim, oversized styles.
Marysia La Roche Maillot ($389), available at MARYSIA. I’m a long-time fan of this brand and LOVE this new port color. It’s so chic—you could wear it as a bodysuit under a printed skirt or shorts. It would also look amazing with gold accessories.
Chloé One-Piece Swimsuit ($750), available at Chloé. Of course I want a swimsuit printed with pink flamingos, don’t you? It also features side cut-outs and tie details.
Miu Miu Ruches Nappa Leather Fisherman Sandals ($1190), available at Saks Fifth Avenue. Fisherman sandals are back in a big way, and I’m happy about it too—it’s nice to mix things up from all the slides and flip-flops that have dominated. This style tends to feel more casual, but these are elevated enough to dress up.
Zimmermann Roselight Tie Bandeau One-Piece ($375), available at ZIMMERMANN. I love this shiny striped swimsuit by Zimmermann. It’s perfect for a beach party and could easily be worn as part of an outfit. I’d wear it with a denim prairie skirt and sandals or under a printed cotton skirt with wedge heels. It features removable straps, a side cut-out, and scarf tie detail.
Khaite Raffia Tote ($1650), available at NET-A-PORTER. This luxe tote is spacious and easily fits all your beach essentials. The unstructured silhouette gives a relaxed look, while the intricate weaving and craftsmanship make it feel more polished than similar styles. Also available in brown suede.
Rick Owens Prong Cutout Swimsuit ($620), available at MYTHERESA. This avant-garde design features a halter neckline and daring cut-outs. It’s definitely more sun-lounger/poolside than lap-lane appropriate. I’d style this with layered gold bangles, a white linen shirt, and suede kitten heels.
As I mentioned in the intro, resort wear has really leveled up in a major way. Somewhere between streaming The White Lotus and a growing list of shows centered around extremely wealthy people living very glossy lives on holiday, vacation dressing has taken on a whole new level of style. It’s no longer just about packing something practical for a trip—it’s about stepping into a character, even if only for a few days.
There’s something very inspiring about that kind of escapism. The clothes are better, the settings are better, and everything feels a little more cinematic. And I’ll admit, I love it! I appreciate interesting fashion in every context—whether it’s a perfectly designed swimsuit, a life-changing hat, or a sundress that feels like it belongs in a film. Sign me up!
If you’re going to invest in anything new, why not choose something beautiful?
Lulala: My Favorite Looks
Because I write these a month in advance (it is presently June), I actually haven’t been able to get to the beach much yet, so I don’t have many on-theme, beach-centered outfits to share. However, these are some looks I’ve been wearing lately.
Clockwise left to right:
My New Trench. I’ve been searching for a new trench coat for ages. I’ve had several over the past few years that were good in theory, but I never seem to reach for them. I’m not entirely sure why the classic cut never quite works for me, but I’m hoping this Self-Portrait one does. I love that it’s oversized and cropped—it feels very fashion-forward. The reality of my life in Los Angeles is that I rarely get a chance to wear a jacket between February and November, but I often wish I had something lightweight to throw on in between moments. I feel like I could wear this over leggings on the way to the gym, or even over a dress depending on the day. I’m bringing it on my summer vacation and plan to wear it a lot, so I’ll report back.
Brown Polka Dot Ruffles. I bought this top to wear in Capri this summer but decided to take it for a test drive first. I’m pretty sure I’ve written about my love of brown-and-white polka dots before—Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, legendary. The top is from Loeffler Randall, and I paired it with these new jeans by AGOLDE. I love them because they are “normal.” I recently cleaned out my closet and counted 25 pairs of jeans. Twenty-five. I know that sounds slightly absurd, but before you judge, count your own pile—it’s probably close. I have barrel-leg, wide-leg, distressed, dark wash, light wash, white, and everything in between, but somehow I didn’t own a pair of straightforward, classic jeans. So I went on a mission and found these. They’re essentially 501 knockoffs, but the denim is softer and the waist is higher, which makes them much more comfortable.
Pink Dress. It’s my party and I’ll wear pink if I want to. I celebrated my 50th birthday in Palm Springs with my two biggest loves. We went on one of my favorite hikes (Lykken Trail), had a champagne toast and dinner at one of my favorite restaurants (Spencer’s—its patio is so pretty), and were in bed by 9 PM—that is my kind of perfect. I saw this Self-Portrait dress on Apple Martin and was hesitant at first because she is 18, tall, and long-limbed… and I am not any of those things. But I loved the color so much I decided to go for it anyway. I did have to get it tailored and I would only wear it with heels because of the voluminous silhouette and my petite frame, but I’m glad I found it. I feel quite glamorous in it.
Currently Reading
WHAT TO MAKE OF A LIFE
This book by Jim Collins is an inspiring and insightful exploration of what it means to build a meaningful life. Over the course of a decade, Collins researched several highly public figures with vastly different yet equally interesting stories—rock stars, politicians, scientists, authors, and leaders—to see if there was any common thread connecting the way they discovered deeply fulfilling work or “encodings,” navigated life’s inevitable “cliffs,” and found their way through the “fog” that so often follows periods of uncertainty or upheaval.
What makes the book especially interesting is that it doesn’t present success and happiness as something linear or perfectly planned. Instead, it shows how purpose is often discovered gradually through experimentation and good old-fashioned grit. It also highlights many examples of success found later in life, which is a breath of fresh air, quite frankly. For example, he studies Meryl Streep’s career—did you know that two-thirds of her life’s work came after the age of forty? In a culture obsessed with overnight success and prodigies under thirty, there is something deeply reassuring about the reminder that meaningful work—and meaningful lives—can always unfold over time.
Also, Oprah Winfrey recommended this book (and I always trust her recommendations), and it’s currently sitting pretty at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list.
THE CORRESPONDENT
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is a novel told through letters and emails, following a woman as she works through grief, aging, and trauma that has yet to be confronted. The format of pieced-together correspondence makes the story feel intimate and deeply human—as though you’re slowly assembling someone’s life as you read.
I love books broken down into shorter chapters—it works well for my Gemini-ness.
The novel also highlights how trauma and unresolved pain doesn’t simply disappear; it mutates and shows up in different ways until it’s finally addressed. That’s one of life’s biggest lessons for me, and I appreciate how the character’s candid writing brings that truth into focus.
It also feels refreshing to read about women navigating aging with depth and honesty. We need more stories like this.
The Ocean Is Always a Good Idea
This is your reminder to get yourself to the beach, or into nature, or anywhere that brings you joy—any place that feels like a deep breath and a reset.
Wise Words
This quote cuts through years of noise and BS in two sentences. It takes something women are taught to “earn” and reduces it to what it actually is: a body, wearing a bikini, existing in the sunshine. That’s it. No diet, no punishment, no imaginary threshold of worthiness required before you’re allowed to participate in summer.
I saw this meme years ago and remember feeling struck by how perfect it was. Fashion and personal style are often far simpler than we allow them to be. We turn getting dressed into a performance review instead of what it actually is: self-expression mixed with practicality.
Swimwear, however, seems to carry extra emotional weight, as though putting on a bathing suit is some kind of test of worthiness. It’s exhausting and unnecessary.
Confidence rarely arrives first; permission does. Permission to wear the thing, to take up space, to stop waiting to lose five pounds, or waiting until you feel better about your body. When you decide you are allowed to enjoy yourself as you are, fashion becomes lighter—even with swimwear.
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