Luisa Beccaria and her daughter Lucilla love the feel of en plein air. The Sicilian family estate which they often retreat to, Feudo del Castelluccio, offers plenty of bucolic situations to enjoy. You only need a fresh cotton sundress to be well turned out for long promenades to the sea or to entertain guests alfresco under almond trees. Resort featured a variety of delightful options crafted in what the mother-daughter duo called “a natural, honest fabric, inspired by the traditional peasant way of dressing to keep cool in the summer heat.”
Lightweight cotton was given a twist with Vichy inserts and contrasting piping in a series of shirtdresses, jumpsuits with crisscrossed bodices, or bustiers with pouf sleeves worn with ankle-grazing circle skirts—some printed in tiny floral bouquets in the cerulean tones the Beccarias favor. As an alternative for more dressy occasions, slender tunics with matching boleros were richly embroidered in bronze sequins with floral appliqués. Tulle was overprinted with a sequined tone-on-tone grid on a feminine ’50s bustier dress with a full skirt cinched at the waist.
The Beccarias are partial to a flattering style that’s both romantic and practical. Fabrics are often stretchy to make clothes comfortable to move in and crease-free when packed. They’re often seasonless and adaptable to different occasions. “Running our family business makes our lives busy, and our customers have an equally active lifestyle,” they said. “We love to look at the clouds in the sky or be inspired by the colors of our beloved Sicilian sea, but as much as we’re dreamers at heart, we’ve got to be pragmatic and grounded.”