Southern France? Grecian Isles? Italian Countryside? Get the vibe stateside (or wherever you live!) with these aesthetic summertime rituals.

Originally comprised of a series of “tent towns” in some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful beachside locales, Club Med has grown into a worldwide empire of only the finest all-inclusive resorts. In other words, our idea of heaven. If you’re like us, then you’re probably dreaming of kicking back on a Sicilian beach with a glass of bubbly or strolling the cobbled streets of Provence with a baguette beneath one arm. 

If you’re really like us, then your budget is saying non, merci! 

But that doesn’t have to be the end of the story. With a few simple tweaks to your schedule and a bit of ingenuity, you can turn your entire summer into a resort-worthy staycation with our Club Med Summer aesthetic living guide.

You don’t even need a passport—just a passion for la dolce vita and a bit of panache will have you humming That’s Amore in no time!

Get the Vibe

The Club Med Aesthetic is the glamorous, European ancestor to our Coastal Granddaughter. (Coastal Great-Grandma, anyone?)

Think Audrey Hepburn as opposed to Meghan Markle; Julia Child instead of Martha Stewart. A touch of European charm (whether by nature or nurture) goes a long way toward ushering in an aesthetic that puts a glamorous spin on our cozy, nostalgic American coastal vibe.

While we might not be able to hop over to the flower markets of France or her tidy ateliers, we can replicate the classic European summer wardrobe by being a savvy shopper at our own favorite boutiques.

To get a Mediterranean look this summer, exchange the Coastal Grandma’s collared blouses and preppy tennis skirts for more relaxed European silhouettes and natural colors and patterns. And embrace the rustic beauty and historic craftsmanship of the Mediterranean isles with natural textiles and accessories—a straw hat with a vintage silk ribbon or a pair of handmade leather sandals.

If you’re wanting to look your Club Med best, leave the bright tropical colors and patterns at home and opt for airy neutrals like ivory whites and sandy beige accentuated by natural pastels. Think pale ocean blues, light lemony yellows, stucco-y peaches and pinks, eucalyptus-tinged greens.

And don’t stop at your outfit—care for yourself the European way by emphasizing skincare over makeup. Commit to your facial routine and use cosmetic products sparingly to highlight your natural beauty. Let your hair flow naturally, and splurge on a perfume that makes you feel like you’re in Italy or the south of France. (We’re personal fans of Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue.)

Looking for more ways to adopt the Club Med aesthetic? Try these tips:

• Peruse our Club Med board on Pinterest for extra style inspiration, then shop your closet to see what kinds of flowing, European-inspired outfits you can create with the items you already have.
• Invest in one quality skincare product you’ve been eyeing—bonus points if it’s one that helps prevent crows’ feet or protects your skin from the summer sun. (We’re big fans of this eye cream from Estēe Lauder.)
• Spend time in the sun (with the proper SPF for your skin type!) to get a Mediterranean glow. While we don’t believe in endangering skin by overexposure to UV rays, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of extra Vitamin D to help you shine this summer!

Live the Life

If you’ve ever had the privilege of traveling to the Mediterranean—or have spent any amount of time dreaming about it—then you probably have a favorite place or two on the map. And you’re certainly well aware of the special things that make them unique. 

Maybe it’s Barcelona, home to bustling Mercat de la Boqueria, one of Europe’s oldest markets, having operated there for over eight centuries. Perhaps it’s Venice, with canals in place of streets and winding cobblestone alleyways that call to mind a noir spy thriller. Or it could be Capri, shining like a gem in the Mediterranean with rugged limestone cliffs and gleaming turquoise waters.

Everywhere in the Mediterranean seems glamorous and sophisticated to our globetrotting eye. But pause for a moment and consider that there are places in our own country (if not our own backyard!) that offer a similar sense of wonder…if we take the time to look and truly see.

Think of the Pacific Northwest, with Seattle’s own Pike Place Market, or Boston’s charming cobbled Beacon Hill neighborhood. And we can find natural beauty everywhere we look—from the sky at sunrise to wooded mountains or gently rolling plains.

Remember—there are girls in Europe who want just as badly to see the USA as you wish to sip a cappuccino in their own favorite neighborhood cafe. 

The true magic of the Mediterranean isn’t its place on the map—it’s the luxurious laid-back lifestyle found in the ordinary moments every day. To romanticize your life à la Mallorca, Monaco, or Messina, try these tips:

• Listen to our Club Med playlist on Spotify—pop in your earbuds and take a walk in your favorite park or take a speaker into your backyard and lounge in the sunshine.
• Practice the European art of siesta or riposo—if you can, take a short break from work in the afternoon and sip a favorite beverage or flip through a magazine.
• Become a tourist in your own town—research local markets or festivals and make a plan to visit a few this summer…don’t forget to take pictures!

Enjoy the Eats

We don’t believe in elevating any specific diet or way of eating. Our variety of body types, activity levels, and taste preferences mean that everyone should eat and enjoy the food that offers them the right amount of fuel and fun for each day. However, if you’re looking to shake up your meal planning this summer, consider incorporating elements of the Mediterranean diet into your menu.

Remember the food pyramid from your childhood? The Mediterranean diet is almost identical, emphasizing whole grains and fresh produce as its key components. However, whereas our traditional food pyramid advocates for the avoidance of all forms of fats and oils, the Mediterranean diet celebrates naturally occurring sources of unsaturated fats—permission to dip that loaf of whole-grain bread in olive oil, granted.

However, the Mediterranean diet isn’t as fond of fatty meats. If you’re going for a Club Med-style dinner, leave the hot dogs and hamburgers at the cookout and opt instead for lean protein in the form of dairy products (European cheese, anyone?) or fresh seafood. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a European eating plan if it didn’t include a glass of antioxidant-rich vino…if you’re not a connoisseur, consider pouring yourself a glass of fresh-pressed juice or enjoying a zero-proof cocktail during Happy Hour.

That doesn’t go to say you shouldn’t enjoy your meats and sweets this summer—after all, what would be the point of an Italian holiday without a scoop of gelato or a Spanish getaway without all that jamón? But turn these special treats into just that—a chance to indulge on special occasions—not the main attraction.  

If you’re ready to add a bit of European flair to your kitchen this summer, try these tips to give yourself a taste of la belle vie:

• Start a kitchen garden—you don’t have to have your own plot of land or a green thumb to buy a few herbs for your patio or kitchen windowsill. Grow basil for a bit of Italian flair or grab a pot of French lavender to transport yourself to Provence.
• Grab an apron, a proofing basket, and a lot of flour and bake a loaf of bread. Fell in love with sourdough in 2020? So did we. But don’t let the relationship get stale—peruse Pinterest or a cookbook to show your starter some new love.
• Focus on freshness by visiting a farmstand or pick-your-own fruit farm. If you live in the city, find a market that highlights local produce or track down a European specialty store and treat yourself to a new gourmet item.

Final Thoughts

Living the good life this summer doesn’t have to involve passports or travel plans—though we wouldn’t quibble if it did! By embracing the simplicity of European living and eating we can transport ourselves to a Mediterranean point of view…and that is a beautiful journey all its own.