Before we get into the clothing let me paint a picture of a region that many people don’t realize actually takes up the entire heel of Italy—and it’s a high one. Puglia. It’s mostly flat, over 60 million olive trees cover its terrain while water frames it left, right, and bottom. The region’s iconic white stone trulli, with their distinctive cone shaped roofs, make up many of the towns, villages, and farms across the countryside. Newer homes are of course part of the countryside landscape, blending most seamlessly because they’re built with the region’s colors, textures, and architectural character in a modern way.
Overall, Puglia is raw, rustic and ancient; the scent of stone, soil, and oil trees perfume the air. Lunches are long and slow, the fish is fresh, the olive oil is (of course) local, and the ceramics are abundant.
Stay: We rented a villa in Puglia and I don’t think I would want to do Puglia any other way now. With the ocean in the distance but nestled among the olive trees, mornings at the villa began slow with a consistent gentle breeze that joined us for breakfast al fresco. Oversized blouses and sweeping linens or cottons make perfect for such a setting. Some afternoons were spent by the sea, others in the town, most by the pool. By sunset I was in loungewear sitting under the olive trees with nothing but silence and sherbet skies around me. There are of course plenty of hotels, but only a few which would be recommendable.
All in all, Puglia is absolutely a special place, a place where you enmesh with both the locals and visitors (mostly Italian) alike. If you want to feel authentically there with your looks, see below:
Beachside in Puglia calls for seductive color, colors that complement and match, textures and prints incorporated, but nothing blindingly loud. The below looks and items fit in perfectly and the red, white and turquoise look matches the beach club dinnerware to a T (see below).
Do not trust just anyone when it comes to what beach club to spend your day in Puglia- we made that mistake our first day. It was a disaster. Once we did our detailed research, and a couple slow drive-bys, we understood the lay of the land and landed upon the perfect spot. The overall feel of this particular club was a mix of cultures, most people dressed with a sense of style but absolutely nothing over-the-top. The decor was chic yet authentically Italian, and the service and food was so excellent we went back a second time, forfeiting the once lusted Borgo Egnazia (which btw has its beach club set on worn down grass. Ick.).
When it comes to non beach dressing, Puglia itself calls for neutrals, colorful yes, but overall more muted. The below looks are exactly what I mean by muted, toned down yet colorful neutrals.
The necklace, which works with both looks, holds grounded, earthy tones: rich deep reds and vibrant turquoise both that perfectly echo the pottery of the region. The winning item in this look are the shell sandals. COME ON! These looks are perfection for popping into creative local shops, wandering the famous Ostuni market (held the second Sunday of each month— not to be missed), or enjoying the best granita of your entire life (besides in Noto, Sicily) on the steps next to Cremeria Alla Scala. It’s worth going to Puglia for in and of itself.
Unpopular opinion: Unless you visit Alberobello when the bakeries open (which is early), or if it is high season, skip a proper walk through. It looses its magic because of so many tourists and souvenir shops.
Onto the next looks: Dinner in town or at the hotel with color but without screaming it. By the way, the restaurant choices in Puglia are endless, but nothing is super fancy. Flat shoes only. A kitten heel if doing minimal walking.
Look 1: I adore this set. It’s casual, artsy, but chic all at the same time. A long necklace would make it a bit too hippie dippie (or Rachel Zoe-esc) so unless that is your vibe (I….die….) go for something short and simple to allow for that purse studded with the colors of Puglia to do the talking.
Look 2: When I saw the printed dress I immediately thought, “this dress is Puglia”; It’s sunset over the land and trees and hilltop whitewashed towns. The netted shell necklace feels like a souvenir you picked up while searching for seashells, the blue suede bag is Max Mara and actually really sweet in person. Shoes: easy flat that lets the rest of the look be the statement.
Lastly, a look for mornings at home, hotel breakfast, or dashing into town for the fresh baked goods or a quickie breakfast.
I wish I had this outfit when I went for breakfast at Burro in Ostuni, the tiny artsy cafe that will have a wait— the look is damn perfect for it. That bag needs its own post altogether, but teams up nicely with the beaded woven flats (no sweaty feet), and the perfect burnt orange straw hat.
I could keep going forever with looks and more recs but for now, this is a very good start.
For all items featured above, click here.
Our necklace picking up the deep reds and turquoise of the Puglia pottery has us halfway to Ostuni. So glad to be in the edit, Talia!