Slim Aarons and Doing a Klenk

Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons is famous for his photographs of the jet set at play in the 50s-70s.

When the character Monte Beragon, from the 1945 film Mildred Pierce, is asked what he does, he replies, "I loaf in a decorative and highly charming manner."

Aarons captured the lives of such decorative and charming loafers. And, let's face it, loafing charmingly is a perfectly agreeable way to spend time.

Slim's photographs are collated in books such as Poolside with Slim Aarons [Amazon]and Slim Aarons: A Place in the Sun [Amazon].

Our favourite photograph has to be the one above of Palm Beach habitué Clifford Klenk and his wife found in A Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style [Amazon]by Susanna Salk on Assouline.

Doing a Klenk

Zounds, that's a summer outfit. Worn with aplomb, sir. We Brits may not get the sunshine for a full-on 'Klenk' all summer long, but surely we owe it to ourselves and this proud nation of ours to have a little 'Klenk Kit' on standby ready to 'do a Klenk' when the sun does reveal itself?

Or if the clouds fail to part we could all just head to Palm Beach - temperatures never drop below 18.0 °C at any time of the year.

Tweedy's Confession: I can't find much (any) current information on Clifford Klenk. He's still knocking around Palm Beach and concerned with matters of dress. The Savile Row tailors Huntsman are mentioned against his name. I imagine his wardrobe could tell some tales.

We're all Wasps Now

And it's never been easier to do a Klenk than this year. Take a look at the offerings from Brooks Brothers and Hackett below to take a few ideas from. Grab a few pieces now before these bright colours drift away from the designers' palettes and Mr Klenk is taken down from their mood boards. And wait for that sun to shine.

Brooks Brothers

Hackett