July is moving along, and with it we reach the final stretch of a small personal challenge that has filled my summer days with inspiration, planning—and a little bit of magic. The “20 Days, 20 Looks” challenge is entering its last week, and I couldn’t be happier with the response and the lovely messages I’ve received along the way.

Summer isn’t only marked by the calendar—it’s marked by our wardrobes too. That moment when wool gives way to linen, boots are swapped for espadrilles, and days stretch longer while sleeves quietly disappear. Some clothes come and go with trends, vanishing as quickly as they arrived. But then there are others: the ones that never fail, that survive fleeting fashions, changing seasons, and hastily unpacked suitcases. The ones you know will return—because they never truly left.

Today I’m talking about three of those pieces. There are no surprises here, but that’s exactly where their power lies: they are true summer essentials, the ones that work year after year. But as Marguerite Duras once said, “Style is a way of seeing, not dressing,” and that’s why it’s not just about owning them—it’s about knowing how to wear them, how to make them yours.

The Oversized White Shirt

Arguably the most versatile piece of the season—a seemingly simple garment brimming with possibilities. Masculine in cut, feminine in attitude. Worn as a dress, open over a bikini, tied at the waist, or tucked into straight-leg jeans… The oversized white shirt has that magical ability to adapt to anything and elevate it effortlessly.

The Flowy Linen or Cotton Dress

Summer always smells of salt, bougainvillea, and those long dresses that float in the sea breeze… This piece has the gift of making you feel like you’re part of a Mediterranean postcard, while also solving every “I have nothing to wear” crisis without anyone noticing.
Picture it hanging on the hook of a white house with blue shutters, waiting to be worn again each year. Style it with wedge espadrilles and a woven straw bag for slow plans and sunny strolls; with flat sandals and oversized sunglasses for market mornings; or with a denim jacket draped over your shoulders when the evening breeze sets in.

The High-Waisted Shorts

Sometimes, summer isn’t measured in degrees—but in inches of fabric. And in that sense, high-waisted shorts are a loyal ally. They cinch the waist and elongate the legs—one of those pieces that don’t scream for attention, but bring structure and intention. A blank canvas you can shape depending on your mood, the plan, or the destination.

And so, every year…

Because every summer is and will be different—but some things never change. They repeat themselves like a small ritual. These three pieces are proof of that. They adapt to the trends, they reinvent themselves, but every year they make their way back into the suitcase.

And you? What are those items that come back with you every summer? I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments—or connect with you on Instagram by tagging me at @lailusiondenina.

There are garments —or in this case, footwear— that don’t shout but endure; that don’t need to impose themselves to stay. Espadrilles are one of those quiet pieces that reappear season after season, as if by chance, with the natural grace of something that knows it will never truly go away. Perhaps that’s why, even in the 21st century, they remain synonymous with summer, authenticity, and beauty without pretence.

Their story goes back centuries: espadrilles were once the shoes of farmers, fishermen, laborers… men and women who walked dry, dusty roads with only a jute sole beneath their feet. Born between northern Spain and southern France, they never sought to be fashionable, and yet somehow they were. Their simplicity, practicality, and lightness made them more than just a shoe — they became a way to experience summer.

Some images have become almost iconic: Dalí walking through Cadaqués in worn-out espadrilles, or Grace Kelly strolling along the Riviera in a shirt dress with ties wrapped around her ankles. Even today, on certain haute couture runways, they reappear as an unexpected nod to the land, to origins, to something essential. Because espadrilles, like true style, don’t speak in exclamations — they speak in coherence.

I remember the very first article I wrote for Telva magazine, on my very first day in the editorial office, was about them. A piece dedicated to the espadrilles of Toni Pons. There’s something almost poetic about that first story being tied to such a humble yet elegant shoe — so deeply rooted in our culture, in our traditions. Maybe that’s why, every summer, when I see them again in shop windows and suitcases, the memory returns, like stepping back into a childhood home.

To speak of Toni Pons is to speak of craftsmanship, of dedication, of villages where time moves at a different pace and shoes are still stitched by hand. Founded in the 1940s in Osor, Girona, the brand has preserved its artisanal soul while adapting to modern tastes. Today, you can find everything from classic canvas styles to reinterpretations in natural linen or leather, but the spirit remains unchanged: espadrilles made to last, to walk through summer after summer.

Someone once said, “There are shoes you inherit, like memories.” And espadrilles, with their ankle ties, braided jute soles, and fragile strength, belong to that category. You’ll find them with wedges, perfect for lifting a flowy dress; flat styles, ideal for wandering markets and alleyways; or mule versions, for those city days when you want comfort without sacrificing style. Each pair tells a story — even before you take a single step.

Espadrilles are not just a shoe: they’re a gesture that distills summer into a single stride, that carefree air found only in things that need no explanation. They carry the scent of earth, of home, of holidays… They are past, present, and what’s still to come. And perhaps that’s why some things never change — and, with a bit of luck, never will.

FIND YOUR ESPADRILLES

This summer kicks off with something special on La ilusión de Nina. Starting July 1st and running through July 20th, I'm taking on a personal style challenge and inviting you to join me: 20 days, 20 looks.

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Traveling to Thailand is a feast for the senses—aromas, colors, flavors, spirituality, art... But it's also a wonderful opportunity to play with fashion while always respecting the local culture. Today, I'm sharing my experience visiting the breathtaking White Temple in Chiang Rai, along with tips on how to dress when visiting temples in Asia (without losing a single bit of style).

The White Temple: A Dream Carved in Light

Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple, is not your traditional place of worship. It's a contemporary creation by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who began construction in 1997 and continues expanding it to this day. Everything about it is symbolic: the white color represents the purity of Buddha, while the embedded glass pieces reflect enlightenment.

The experience begins even before you enter, as you cross a bridge over a sea of outstretched hands emerging from the ground—symbolizing worldly desires and suffering. It’s a visual and spiritual journey that won’t leave you indifferent.

Inside (where photos are not allowed), you'll find unexpected murals featuring pop culture references like The Matrix, Spiderman, and even Doraemon, mixed with messages about karma and rebirth. It’s a unique fusion of modern art and Buddhist mysticism that completely transforms the experience.

What to Wear When Visiting Temples in Thailand

One of the biggest questions when packing was: What should I wear to visit Buddhist temples? The answer is simple but important: