Between Aperol spritzes, sun-bleached tiles and the sound of seagulls echoing over Taormina’s cliffs, it’s easy to see why The White Lotus Season 2 wrote Sicily into everyone’s summer bucket list. The show’s chaotic glamour—equal parts linen, lust, and luxury—made all of us want to pack our bags and disappear into the Mediterranean.
I’ve always adored shows that prioritise fashion, because it can say so much about a character without explicitly saying it. Daphne’s dopamine dressing, Lucia’s reckless glamour and Tanya’s bubbly and bright obliviousness. It’s what I love most about style in general: it can be a form of self-expression in the most positive and real ways.
So, when I landed in Sicily with a carry-on full of Australian brands and Jennifer Coolidge inspo, I decided to see if local labels could capture that same cinematic energy, sustainably.
No outfit captured The White Lotus mood better than my Love By Venus “Bridget Dress”. Polka dots are so fab right now, and the strapless, cherry-red number felt made for gelato runs and Aperol hours (forgive the repeated Aperol mentions, it really was that serious). The romantic texture balanced old-Hollywood femininity with that modern, slow-fashion ethos. Love by Venus designs everything locally and in small batches, which somehow makes slipping into their dresses feel more intentional; each piece carries its own summer story.
Love By Venus Bridget Dress, $150. Shop here.
If Lucia had swapped her Versace for ethical fashion, she would’ve loved Love by Venus’s Amalfi Top and Capri Pants. Embroidered details, lace-up corsetry, and just enough skin to catch the Sicilian sun, it was fashionable without being obnoxious. I adored accessorising with the Blanca Scarf as a makeshift headwrap and oversized sunnies for full Tanya energy.
Love by Venus Amalfi Top, $119, Capri Pants, $94.50 and Bianca Scarf, $53.
For dinner overlooking the sea, or exploring the local towns, I wore the Florence Dress by Katharina Lou, a soft check pattern and open-leg silhouette that felt timeless, not trend-driven. There’s a subtle, quiet-luxury energy to Katharina Lou’s pieces: natural fabrics, thoughtful tailoring, and a nod to vintage European simplicity. I paired it again with my well-loved Wittner Ballet Flats, because comfort and glamour aren’t mutually exclusive (especially when cobblestones are involved).
Katharina Lou Florence Dress, $349. Shop here. Wittner Ballet Flats, $169. Shop here.
My mornings in Sicily always began with an americano in hand, a striped thrifted linen shirt buttoned halfway up, and my Wittner Ballet Flats clicking against cobblestones. It was equal parts Harper from The White Lotus and “fashion intern on holiday”, affordable but still trying. There’s something so cinematic about pairing lived-in pieces with small luxuries, like the Miu Miu sunglasses I impulsively bought on Via Roma. I’m a big fan of mixing thrifted, unique pieces with my favourite designers when I can. So chic.
Miu Miu Aube Sunglasses, $825. Shop here.
Australian fashion has this knack for balancing dreaminess with groundedness. That effortless, “just threw this on but it works” energy that has made Italian fashion so memorable. Supporting these labels means backing designers who value longevity over novelty, and community over mass production. Clothes that are made with intention and ethical sourcing always feel good to support, and honestly, they’re cuter and more unique than bigger brands.
Maybe that’s why my suitcase felt so right for Sicily. These pieces didn’t scream “resort wardrobe”; they felt like a little bit of home. And perhaps that’s the beauty of it: Australian fashion doesn’t just travel well; it belongs anywhere the sun hits fabric.
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