Style

The Pick: Make a splash in these bold Ripa Ripa swim shorts

Getting ready to jet off in search of some winter sun? Ripa Ripa has reinvented that most classic style of swimwear — the drawstring trunk — for a new decade

Words: Jonathan Wells

Southwest of Sicily, there lies an island of hot springs, long beaches and great wine. Pantelleria is bright, small and served as the inspiration for our newest pair of patterned swim shorts. Milanese fashion house Ripa Ripa is the brand behind the shorts, making a splash with an intricate design of autumnal russet, green and gold.

Ripa Ripa’s whole range is drenched in the style of the Mediterranean and the aesthetic of the Italian sixties. Its singular shorts stand for spontaneous, understated elegance and the brand has combined those vintage values with contemporary design; reimagining the classic drawstring swim short in a more modern, tailored cut for a new decade.

But, despite the bold stripes of the brand’s Paraggi Rosso shorts, or charming diamonds of the Camogli Celestes, it’s the Pantelleria design that has caught our eye. The soft, brushed fabric is quick-drying and has a distinctive cotton-feel. The tying-cord is made from braided nautical rope and the fine-mesh lining guarantees comfort. And, happily, they’re available now on the Gentleman’s Journal eStore.

But, perhaps most importantly, these swim shorts also come with a natural linen travel-bag, meaning they’ll make it safely and stylishly to whichever foreign clime you choose to jet away to next — Pantelleria included.