Each winter it seems as if half the country jets off for a lengthy Euro summer vacation, complete with endless, envy-inducing Instagram photo dumps of people sunning themselves along the Mediterranean.
But if you were one of the few who missed out on an idyllic Italian sojourn this year, fear not. The warm weather is right around the corner and, with cute Mediterranean-inspired designs having a moment, it’s easy to add a little dolce vita to your summer.
There are a few ways to live like the Italians do: embracing a colourful life, indulging in good food, and embodying an effortlessly chic sense of style. This pursuit of pleasure is the ethos behind Italian manufacturer Fiat’s timeless icon, the Fiat 500 – now fully electric, and perfect for zipping down to the beach in style.
Ready for an Italian summer, right here at home? We’ve rounded up a shopping list of everything you’ll need before plugging in, charging up and driving to the beach in your electric Fiat 500e.
Chic summer style
Euro summer isn’t a time and place, it’s a lifestyle. Make sure you’re dressed appropriately – in relaxed resort wear, of course. Starting with swimwear, we recommend a fun, colourful printed bikini like this monogrammed set from Venroy, or an elegant bodysuit like the one from Lucy Folk and Lido’s Due Rib collab. These Aussie brands also offer a wide range of lightweight dresses, linen pants and throw-over shirts that balance comfort with elegance, as well as beach totes and towels – this raffia visage bag is handcrafted in Florence for another Italian touch.
Don’t forget SPF and a hat for sun protection – Fenton & Fenton’s Il Mediterraneo cap comes in three fun colours inspired by the colours of Europe’s west coast.
Eat like the Italians do
Load up a picnic basket with provisions before driving to the beach in your Fiat 500e. Grab a panino from one of your city’s many new sandwich shops (they’re definitely having a moment), or make a stack of panini at home – classic fillings include prosciutto, chicken cotoletta, mortadella, porchetta and provolone. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Pistachio Papi, a Melbourne-made pistachio spread, on leftover bread and grab a bag of Bonilla a la Vista patatas fritas (they’re just potato chips, but they’re damn good). For a refreshing drink, try Sapori D’Amalfi’s limoncello spritz, made with hand-picked lemons from a family recipe, or Sopra’s Italian-inspired seltzers – go for the Sicilian blood orange for ultimate summer vibes.
Med-inspired servingware
Paper plates and disposable cups? Not very chic. Thankfully, Fenton & Fenton’s new Il Mediterraneo range, in collaboration with Fiat, features some summer entertaining must-haves in whimsical prints. Go for the Cin Cin Rainbow tumblers to add a pop of colour to your picnic spread, or the Palma plate set and Serpent platter for a stylish coastal picnic.
If you want to settle into your sandy spot and stay a while, Byron Bay label Sunday Supply Co’s Vista beach chair embodies a luxe resort feel, while Bondi brand Unawatuna’s tasselled beach umbrellas provide both sun protection and style. Need more shade? Business & Pleasure Co’s premium cabana comes in fun patterns inspired by the ’70s.
Riviera reads
A day at the beach isn’t complete without a good book to while away the hours. If you’re after a zeitgeisty read that’s hot off the press, we recommend Sally Rooney’s latest, Intermezzo, or Things Will Calm Down Soon by Zoë Foster Blake. To keep the Italian theme going, pick up André Aciman’s bestselling novel Call Me By Your Name (or 2019 sequel Find Me if you’ve already read that). Caught the new Netflix miniseries? Maybe it's time to read Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr Ripley – it’s a classic for a reason.
Once you’re done for the day, it’s time to pack everything back up and load it into the car. But don’t worry: with your Fiat 500e, you can easily do it all again – all summer long.
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Fiat. The fully electric Fiat 500e is available now for your Italian summer – currently $49,990 drive-away. Visit fiat.com.au for more details.