A place in the sun: escape to the South Pacific in sophisticated silk or dreamy chiffon with a splash of sequins

Shape, Jan, 2005 by Carlotta Moye

Eternal Sunshine Come clean with simple styles in shades of white. Calvin Klein Collection silk strapless dress, $1,850. Donatella Pellini brass chain with glass, crystal and yellow-aquamarine necklace, $1,300. Echo of the Dreamer green-opal sterling-silver ring with brass snakeskin detail, $300.

Opposite: Moschino Intimo Donna bustier dress with ruffled trim, $340. Whitestreet at Fragments mother-of-pearl and 18-karat gold earrings, $340. Donatella Pellini large resin bangle bracelet, $144. On previous spread: Michael Kors ombre bias-cut gown with jeweled ring, $2,400. Donatella Pellini resin disk earrings, $45. Cara Croninger at Fragments brass cuff, $438. Celine rope sandal, $520.

Beauty note Envelop your senses with a luxurious, feminine fragrance such as Blush Marc Jacobs, $85 for 3.4 ounces, that's soft and delicate, with notes of jasmine, pink freesia and Japanese honeysuckle.

Testing the Waters Wrap yourself in sultry sequins and shoulder-baring styles. Miu Miu sequin minidress with ruffled bodice, $1,940. Megan Shoemaker Designs labradorite-drop earrings on sterling-silver chain, $80. Opposite: Miu Miu velvet scoop-neck tank dress, $1,360. Donatella Pellini disk earrings, $45, and resin stretch bracelet, $105.

Beauty note Keep hair healthy--in the water and out--with Phyto Plage Protective Beach Spray, $20. Rich in plant extracts like olive oil, rosemary, calendula and willow, this spray nourishes and protects strands from sun and salt water. See Buyer's Guide, page 139, for retail information.

Photography by Carlotta Moye