Letter from the Editor: July '05.(beach parties and casual style)(Editorial)

Sand Traps

Every July, I throw a party at the beach in Southampton with saffron-colored cushions on the sand, paper lanterns on poles, a steel-drum band, and lobsters. One year, I decided to get myself decked out, too. I booked hair and makeup, and as River Lloyd and Tina Bech Lipman fussed over me and gossiped, my husband appeared on the scene. He watched this circus for a few minutes and then asked the obvious question: "Aren't we having a beach party?" Yes, indeed, and this year I was going to be ready.

The minute I stepped on the sand, the wind whipped my hairstyle into a tangled mess, and the humidity evaporated my eye shadow. Even the paper lanterns were nearly shredded. The party was a success, but my labor-intensive look didnit make it past "Day-O." I hate to admit it, but my husband was right: Lobsters and lip gloss don't mix.

As much as I love hair and makeup, there are places where the effort just doesn't pay off, where the elements and the activity conspire against the strongest hair spray and the most durable mascara. The list includes the beach, ski slopes, and horseback cattle drives. There's no point in fighting it: Gale force winds are even more powerful than a whole can of Aqua Net.

I thought of this when I met a woman on the ...