E S P R I T 🌈 S U M M E R
A colorful rainbow of vintage ESPRIT for a party-filled summer
I am back in Nashville and I am feeling the summer vibes! June and July are the most miserable, foggy, windy months in the Bay Area so I am excited to land somewhere hot and humid for a bit.
There is something about Nashville that makes me want to dress like a psycho. I’m talking wacky patterns, bright colors, ugly pants, and anything that feels just slightly off. Maybe it’s the humidity, or something more latitudinal, but we get freaky with our fits here.
Splitting time between two places makes it easy to slip into comparison mode, which I both LOVE and HATE. It’s important to understand why you like things etc., but like, comparing Oakland to Nashville would be like trying to compare Nash Bridges to an Oak tree – completely useless. Despite their differences, both have endearing eccentricities.
Speaking of eccentric, the brand in focus today is ESPRIT. It’s the perfect place to find all the bright wacky clothes you’ll need for this summer (if you’re feeling anything like me right now).
Esprit started in 1968 with Susie and Doug Tompkins (also co-founders of The North Face) selling clothes from their VW bus in San Francisco. Esprit became known for its vibrant colors and playful patterns. John Casado, who designed the first Macintosh logo, created Esprit's iconic stencil logo, and Ettore Sottsass, founder of the Memphis Group, designed Esprit’s retail stores, all of which are so classic. 1
I would argue ESPRIT is one of the top 3 businesses to ever come out of San Francisco (along with Levis and GAP, obvi). I hope the bold energy of these finds will infuse your (e)spirit and inspire you to kick off the best summer ever.
90s esprit grape vine mini dress
Point in case – this mini dress looks like a cool glass of limeade and probably tastes just as refreshing.
Esprit classic wood sandals size 6
These sandals are only for the extremely brave, extremely coordinated, and extremely lucky. I am only 2/3 so I’ll leave these here for one of you gorgeous readers.
Vintage Esprit Sport Small Sweatshirt
I love a bat-wing, cropped, light-weight, boat-neck sweatshirt SO SO SO much. It’s basically the perfect California weather top – wear it with high waisted shorts or sailor pants.
Vintage Esprit Aqua Sheer Silk Shirt Sz S
HELLO AQUA SHEER SHIRT! One of my only “dress up” tricks is to wear something sheer. When I look at this shirt, all I see is a night out that ends watching the sunrise with best friends.
Esprit Vintage Stripe Bucket Basket
This cutie patootie bag is such a fun combination of styles and a great way to add some color to your summer whites.
Esprit Windbreaker 90s Cowl Neck Style
This is a quintessential 90’s item IMO! I would normally look to L.L. Bean for a jacket like this, but I absolutely love the striped cowl neck and cuffs.
90s Esprit Overalls Striped Navy Green
If you were feeling the Steven Tyler look above, maybe you’ll enjoy these overalls which read more like Beetlejuice drinking a mojito to me. Also, did you hear…?
Women's Esprit Clear Cannon Ball Slides- Size 5
Are you jelly for jellies? Here is a fun take on the whole trend! Calling all my tiny footed friends for these clear slides!
80s ESPRIT Canvas Tote Bag w/Rainbow Logo
As
would say, “so ‘spency”, but if you’re looking for a collector’s piece, this might be it! So classic.
Esprit Sport Striped Button Shirt Medium
This is a standout shirt, as in you’re going to stand out in a crowd wearing this, which is great for many summer scenarios such as: helping your future life partner spot you at the café/bar/beach/park/concert, etc.
80s Vintage Romper by Esprit
I found the perfect summer romper with the perfect pattern in the perfect color. It’s feminine but functional and incapsulates everything this summer should be.
90s Esprit Platform Chunky Suede Shoes Size 8
Perhaps my favorite find in this post. I am obsessed with platforms, and trying to become 6 feet tall.
Vintage Esprit Suede Fringed Jacket
This is for all my coastal California friends who still have to wear jackets through June gloom and beyond. I think this jacket has the perfect amount of fringe, and I want it.
80s ESPRIT PINK Silk Pants Size Small
predicts that we’re going to see a lot of red pants this fall, why not ease your way into full blown red with a party pink pant this summer!
90s ESPRIT Women’s Elastic Slip On Sandals
I had at least one pair of these as a kid and I can still hear and feel the way these snap to the foot like it was yesterday.
Spill overs:
Wow, if you’ve made it this far, you are committed, and I love you. Thanks for hanging with me today.
XO - Kellyn (a.k.a. Best Friends)🏁
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esprit_Holdings
ok appreciation for the cool graphics in this post!!!
Will never forget 1999, getting my hair cut with layers for the first time, wearing a polka dot Esprit dress my mom got me at the SF store, and catching my reflection in a mirror at Costco and thinking hollllly fuck I think I might be the most ultra gorgeous 9 year old on earth?