How to dress like you’re checking into season 3 of ‘The White Lotus’
If you're planning to escape the Aussie winter, Esquire takes inspiration from the series to curate some White Lotus-worthy, holiday-ready fits
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YOU SHOULDN’T BE watching The White Lotus for the clothes. One should be somewhat repulsed by the sight of Saxon Ratliff with his fitted polo tucked into chino shorts; we should feel dread at how composed Greg-Gary is in his rotation of knit polos. But aside from what we may feel about the menswear crimes this crew of guests is committing, what they’re wearing is an anthropological study in the vacation wardrobe of the über wealthy. And that’s what makes the show so dissectible.
What we wear says a lot about our interior lives, and these characters are no exception. Let’s remember also that they are Americans abroad; heritage labels like J. Crew and Brooks Brother have been identified as those worn by a number of the series’ characters, like wanted man Timothy Ratliff and Greg-Gary. They are creatures of comfort – at least in the way they dress.
Read Esquire’s latest recap of ‘The White Lotus’:
‘The White Lotus’ season 3, episode 5 recap: full moon antics
Same applies to Saxon’s arrival outfit that looks more for the country club his mother Victoria keeps talking about. The gym-bro doesn’t know how to relax, and he instead wants to be at work to prove himself to his father – he has no vacation mode. (The only redeemable clothing item Saxon wears are his ’70s-inspired swim shorts from Ché Studios; the model is called ‘Baller’.)
His father Timothy is a lot more respectable. This is the kind of hedge fund honcho who’s been on a number of twice annual vacations to exotic destinations. Even as his linen shirts grow more rumpled as he spirals, gorging on his wife’s lorazepam, the family suspects nothing, his clothes are completely unfettered.
The menswear contingent on The White Lotus doesn’t provide the eye-candy, but it shows how interchangeable the attire of the one percent is, from Positano in season 2 to Phuket in season 3. As the weather cools in Australia, the annual exodus to northern summer and tropical Asia begins. If you’re starting to plan your resort wardrobe, here, we take inspiration from some of the fits in the show, adjusting them for regular guy wearability.
Shop the ‘White Lotus’ look
L.G.R. Malabo Bold Sunglasses
L.G.R. is the type of sunglass brand Tim Ratliff would wear; the brand is for the lifestyle of the wealthy safari traveller. The patriarch wore the Malabo model made out of Italian acetate to hide his spiralling eyes from his wife.
Ché Studios Baller Swim Shorts
We were expecting knee-knocking boardies from the gymcel. But, to our surprise, Saxon has great taste in swimwear.
Venroy Rib Knit Open Neck Polo Shirt
More on that Saxon beat, polos are accept resortwear, but think of material and cut to relax the fit. A buttoned cotton pique reads too country club. This knit polo from Aussie label Venroy has the right idea of a little gauzy with an open neck.
Orlebar Brown Terry Towelling Polo Shirt
This is something Saxon would appreciate: a polo shirt that’s also a towel! Capitalists love efficiency.
Venroy Tailored Linen Trousers
A beautifully tailored linen trouser would be great for those explosive dinner scenes.
Vacay Swimwear Naxos Swim Shorts
Aussie label Vacay swimwear has worthy additions to the White Lotus-inspired wardrobe.
R.M. Williams Classic Linen Shirt
Linen in essential, and Tim understands this. The guy probably bought the same shirt in multiple colours. Seen in his villa, the yellow button-down is a classic.
Uniqlo Linen Blend Easy Shorts
Don’t be Saxon and wear china shorts, it’s reads as accountant at a golf course. Linen however, is the appropriate alternative. These easy ones from Uniqlo with the elastic waistband will give you enough room for the breakfast buffet.
Commas Ritual Silk Camp Collar Shirt
Rick has excellent shirt game. If he and Chelsea had indeed made that trip to Australia, he’d love Sydney label’s Commas’ eclectic shirt designs.
Lapima Leo Natural Black Vintage
View the world with rose yellow tinted lenses. Bring the show’s iconic yellow-tint anywhere with a pair of sunnies. Brazilian label Lapima makes some dramatic frames, too.
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‘The White Lotus’ season 3, episode 5 recap: full moon antics
