The Last Summer Escape, Ibiza with the Girls & That End-of-Season Restlessness

Sophie Allatt
Aug 30, 2022
5 min read

Updated: Apr 2

August is winding down, but not without one last glorious escape. One final chance to wear the dresses, sip the cocktails, chase the sunsets—and we did it properly.

After weeks of umming and ahhing (and multiple voice notes dissecting villa options), we finally locked in our destination—I Ibiza. And honestly? It was the perfect choice. The perfect send-off. The kind of trip that reminds you why you say yes to spontaneous group chats and overpriced flight alerts. You could feel it the moment we landed: a loosening, a sparkle in the air, the soundtrack of flip flops on tarmac and group laughter echoing across airport pick-up bays. Freedom in the form of SPF 50 and oversized sunglasses.

Ibiza: The Perfect Last-Minute Escape

Ibiza is exactly what you need it to be. Some go for full chaos, some for wellness, some for their soft-girl spiritual awakening. We landed somewhere beautifully in between—equal parts spritz and serenity, laughter and lounging, sequins and SPF.

Some highlights:

Blue Marlin afternoons that effortlessly became evenings, champagne flowing, music humming like a heartbeat. I danced barefoot in the sand with a stranger who complimented my nails—true peak holiday energy.
Pacha under the stars—we lost track of time, of order, of our taxis. All that mattered was the bassline and the heat between shoulders pressed in a dancefloor blur.
Slow mornings by the beach, iced coffee in hand, legs tangled in sarongs, pretending we hadn’t danced until 3am. Group debriefs over croissants, someone always in last night's eyeliner, someone else already reapplying SPF.
Dinner at Amante, watching the sea shimmer while seafood melted in our mouths. That particular shade of golden hour that only happens when you’re on an island with no responsibilities and your only decision is “dessert?” (Yes. Always yes.)
A spontaneous yoga session by the cliffs that made me cry—in a good way. Maybe it was the sea breeze, or maybe I was just finally slowing down.

Also: Ibiza sunsets? Unmatched. Like the sky’s giving you one last performance before the credits roll. Standing there, glass in hand, cheeks warm from the day, you feel suspended in a moment that could easily last forever.

The Mykonos vs Ibiza Debate: Did We Make the Right Choice?

In a word: yes.

Ibiza hits different. It doesn’t try. It just is. It’s still effortlessly chic but without the try-hard. It’s barefoot glamour. Salt-sprayed hair and gold hoops. Sunset spritzes and dancing with strangers. And most importantly—it allows for both chaos and calm without forcing either.

Mykonos is lovely, and it’s still on the cards. But Ibiza just fits the mood better—less curated, more chaotic. Less about being seen, more about feeling seen.
The balance between wellness and nightlife is perfect. You can do a sound bath and tequila shot in the same day and no one bats an eyelid. There’s no pressure to pick a lane.
Plus, there’s always something about Spanish sun that feels a little softer. A little kinder. A little less performative.

No regrets, just freckles and shared photo dumps that keep the group chat alive long after the tan has faded.

London in Late Summer: The Shift Begins

Coming back, there’s a definite shift. The air’s still warm, but the light’s changed. There’s a crispness in the early mornings. The evenings feel different—quieter, slower, golden. Summer hasn’t left, but she’s starting to collect her things.

People are sipping red wine again.
The rosé shelf at the wine shop is thinning.
There are whispers of “Should we do something for Halloween?” in the group chats.
M&S has started bringing out knits, and I am not emotionally prepared.

I met a few girlfriends at Dalloway Terrace, where we talked ‘summer vs autumn wardrobes’, and I refused—on principle—to put my sandals away. You’ll have to pry them from my sun-kissed feet. There was a brief mention of PSLs and someone said “cosy” and I almost burst into tears. Too soon.

Style: The ‘Late Summer, Not Letting Go Yet’ Edit

Fresh off Ibiza, I’m still deep in my floaty-dress era. My hair smells faintly of saltwater and my skin’s still clinging to that post-holiday glow. Autumn might be flirting, but I’m not ready to commit. Let me cling to my linen and my golden shimmer a little longer.

Current rotation:

Light summer dresses, now paired with linen blazers for evening warmth. Still easy, still breezy, just slightly more layered.
Strappy sandals, still in heavy use. Boots are for September. Maybe. (Unclear. Check back with me when the temperature drops.)
Gold jewellery, minimal but ever-present. It elevates everything and makes even a beach bun feel intentional.
Sunglasses, not just for sun, but for preserving the fantasy. Especially on a hungover Tuesday.

Also: Considering “late summer chic” as a lifestyle, not just a wardrobe phase. It’s a state of mind. It’s optimism with a tan.

Wellness: Recovery Mode (Sort Of)

Ibiza was fabulous, but my body has opinions. And it’s voicing them—loudly.

Hydration is no longer a vibe—it’s a requirement. I’ve become that girl with a 2-litre bottle and no shame.
Pilates is doing the Lord’s work on my hip flexors. And also acting as atonement for whatever happened at Pacha.
Skincare is in repair mode—I’m layering serum like it’s couture. Hyaluronic acid? Slathered. Vitamin C? Slapped on like a prayer.
Facial booked and blessed. A post-holiday ritual I’ll never skip. There’s something spiritual about it. Like baptism, but for your T-zone.
Sleep? In theory, yes. In reality, I’ve had three back-to-back dinners this week. And no regrets. (Okay, maybe mild fatigue.)

Also: I’m drinking celery juice again. I don’t even like it. It just feels like penance. Balance, babe.

Mindset: Holding Onto Summer Just a Little Longer

August has been a reminder:

Say yes to the trip.
Chase the sunset, always.
Don’t rush the goodbye. Autumn will come, but for now—we linger. We stretch out the evenings. We wear the dresses. We order another round.

That September reset energy is peeking in. I can feel it in my calendar, my cravings, my cart full of knitwear I haven’t checked out yet. There’s talk of goals, of vision boards, of new pens. But still—I’m holding the last page of summer with both hands.

I want to stay in the stretch. In the in-between. Where the air is still soft, the plans are still spontaneous, and the vibe is sun-drenched but aware. Because transitions don’t have to be abrupt. Sometimes they can be sunlit.

Pop Culture, Trends & What’s Happening Right Now

Ibiza is still queen. Mykonos is catching up but Ibiza’s reign is unshaken. The throne remains secure.
Rosé’s last hurrah, but whispers of Negronis are getting louder. (Espresso martinis? Still in their villain era.)
Old Money Summer is shifting—we’re entering Quiet Luxury Autumn. Think trench coats, cashmere, and whispering about your therapist.
Pumpkin spice is back, and I’m not emotionally prepared. We’re not there yet. Stay strong.

Also trending: shell necklaces (ironically), half-buttoned cardigans, oat milk cold brews with cinnamon, linen that’s been lived in, playlists with names like “Last Light” and “End of Season Slow Burn,” and announcing your September reset like it’s a TED Talk—complete with Canva slides.

The Month Ahead: What’s Coming?

More weekends away—maybe closer to home, but still with that getaway energy. Perhaps a cottage with wine and Wi-Fi.
A wardrobe shuffle that still includes sandals. Don’t make me let go.
Gentle structure. Loose plans. Soft transitions.
Embracing the season without rushing the shift.
Holding onto the softness that summer brought, even as the tempo starts to change.