Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with this whole “apres beach shirt” idea, and let me tell you, it’s been a bit of a journey. I first heard about “apres ski” stuff, which is French for “after ski.” I guess it became popular in the Alps back in the 50s when skiing really took off. People did all sorts of fun stuff after hitting the slopes, and now “apres ski” is just a catch-all term for those activities.
I started thinking, “Why not have something like that for the beach?” I mean, we all love hanging out after a day of sun and sand, right? So, I got this vision in my head of the perfect “apres beach shirt.”
First, I rummaged through my closet, trying on a bunch of different shirts. I wanted something comfy, something that felt good after a day in the sun, maybe a little sunburned. But I also wanted it to look cool, you know? Not just some ratty old t-shirt.
- I tried on a few linen shirts. They were breathable, which was nice, but a bit too formal for what I was going for.
- Then I tried some of those flowy, bohemian-style shirts. They looked okay, but I felt a bit like I was trying too hard.
- I even dug out an old Hawaiian shirt. It was definitely comfortable, but maybe a little too loud for just chilling after the beach.
I started thinking about what I really wanted. I wanted a shirt that was easy to throw on over a swimsuit, something I could wear to grab a drink or a bite to eat without feeling underdressed. But I also wanted it to be something I could wear if I decided to take a walk along the beach as the sun was setting.
Fabric testing
Then came the fabric. I spent a whole afternoon at the fabric store, feeling up different materials. I knew it had to be something soft, something that wouldn’t irritate my skin, especially if I was a bit sun-kissed. I ended up going with a really soft, lightweight cotton. It felt amazing against my skin, and I knew it would be perfect for those warm summer evenings.
I started messing around with different styles. I tried a classic button-down, but I also experimented with a more relaxed, open-collar design. I even played around with adding some subtle embroidery details, just to give it a little extra something. And of course, make it look good with leggings.
After a lot of trial and error, I finally landed on a design I loved. It’s a loose-fitting, button-down shirt made from that super-soft cotton. It has a slightly oversized fit, so it’s really comfortable and breezy. I decided to go with a simple, solid color – a light blue that reminds me of the ocean after a storm.
The first time I wore my “apres beach shirt” out, I felt great. I spent the day at the beach with some friends, and when the sun started to set, I threw on my shirt over my swimsuit. We went to a little beachside bar, and I felt perfectly comfortable and stylish. It was exactly the vibe I was going for.
Now, my “apres beach shirt” is my go-to for any beach day. It’s become a staple in my summer wardrobe, and I always get compliments on it. It’s funny how a simple idea can turn into something so practical and personal. I guess that’s the beauty of a little DIY spirit, right?
