One week in Tulum wearing nothing but Naked & Famous Denim
Every time I would introduce myself to either a tourist or local they would ask how cold it was back home in Montreal. I would explain how cold it is and how tall the snowbanks are and everyone replied “you must be used to it”. I am a very “Canadian” Canadian. Born in Saskatoon, I moved to Calgary then Toronto where I grew up. I studied in Montreal, worked in New York City for 1 year and moved back to Montreal. I have been shivering since November. It’s March, Naked & Famous Denim had just released their Women’s Spring '17 Collection and I knew the only way to shake this chill was to hop on a plane, destination sunshine.
We chose Tulum, a bohemian beach town, for the food, beaches and warmth. I packed my bags with almost nothing but Naked & Famous Denim.
It's a 4 hour flight to Cancun. I sized up one size in the Ivory Power Stretch Overalls. I wear an XS in the Black Overalls but I liked the oversized painter look when sizing up in the Ivory. Underneath I layered the White Pocket Tee and Grey Vintage Doubleface Crewneck. 5 years ago I picked up this men’s sweater in Medium. It comes with me everywhere and after 5 years of wear and tear it’s become that go-to sweater hanging in the front of my closet all year long. Every time I wear the Indigo Duster Coat I'm stopped to ask where it's from. It's a special item you can easily dress up or down but always makes a statement.
This was the first time I wore the Natural Sashiko Sneakers. We planned on doing a lot of exploring so I packed Band-Aids because I was worried about getting blisters. Spoiler alert, by the end of the trip I didn’t use one Band-Aid and did not have one blister. There is no break in period with these. The sneakers are unisex. I’m wearing a size 5 and I am usually a size 8 women's shoe.
A “hole in the wall” teeny tiny restaurant in Tulum city, these Mayan pork tacos were the best.
From breakfast to the beach I lived in the Tunic. We stayed in the jungle for the first half of the trip. It was a quick 10 minute bike in to Tulum City and 35 minutes to the beach. The mornings were breezy so I wore the Indigo Dobby Culottes and Lightweight Tunic on top of my bathing suit to bike to first coffee then the beach. The Striped Windowpane Tunic quickly became my favourite bathing suit cover up. Super soft and lightweight, you can wear it as a top or dress. It was the easiest item to throw on and take off. The 100% cotton fabric is perfect to pack because it doesn’t wrinkle. I'm wearing size Small.
During the day my Indigo x Grey Denim Tote was packed with beach essentials and at night my wallet, phone and after-sun lotion for when my burnt belly was feeling warm. I used the Tote all day, every day. Another perfect core item to travel with because it's easy to roll up and toss in your suitcase and it's a big enough size to carry all travel essentials with you.
With times ranging from 12pm to 7pm it felt like every hour was Happy Hour in Tulum. I packed all 4 Naked & Famous Denim Pocket Tee's. Men come to the shop all the time to "re-up" their Circular Knit T's and I finally understand why. Ring-spun cotton is so super soft. I wore both XS and S. Small is just slightly roomier as you can see in the above photo.
Unbuttoned, the Bubble Blouse is sexy and casual with cutoff jean shorts.
A subtle windowpane pattern is woven in to the ultra lightweight, super fine fabrication. The fabric is so soft and breezy you almost feel naked. I'm wearing size Small.
I buttoned the White Bubble Blouse to the top for a clean minimalist look. I love to buy white shirts. My closet is divided by white shirts and "other". This silhouette is boxy and modern, it's a contemporary take on the white button down. Faux horn buttons are hidden inside the front placket except for the top closure.
If you love food you most likely heard of Tulum and it's endless options of made from scratch, rustic style restaurants, bars and coffee shops. The last night we spent the rest of our pesos at the most talked about restaurant in Tulum, Hartwood. It's a restaurant on the winding road along the beach completely outdoors and we sat next to the kitchen. Every dish is cooked on open fire- no stoves, no ovens and no deep fryers. If you go to Tulum, you have to eat here.
On the main beach road of Boca Paila, you will find small boutique shops selling everything from coconut oil to crochet bikini's and nothing but linen. I picked up two hand woven Mexican blankets. One large cotton blanket perfect for summer days spent at Mount Royal and a small wool blanket I will hang in my apartment. I tried as many hot sauces possible and picked 3 favourites; one habanero, one chipotle and one jalepeno.
In anticipation for the cold, I packed my overalls and sweater in my backpack to change into on the plane. An easy four hour flight later I'm back in Montreal. Writing to you sipping on a hot tea instead of a cold beer, wearing leather boots and Raw Stretch Selvedge Denim with a Bubble Blouse underneath my wool sweater, it's good to be home.
