Boston - July 14, 2006

Summer Camp

Holiday Nautical Tent Dresses

Preppies: not known for their fashion chutzpah. Tents: not known for flattering anyone who wears them.

Hold the phone, Muffy. Because those two unlikely sources have mingled quite miraculously into a novel summer creation: the nautical tent dress.

Made by and sold at Holiday, the slamming boutique on (where else?) Beacon Hill, the new line is a yachting-inspired wonder of simplicity.

Unlike so many other seafaring designs, the frocks put an original spin on the nautical trend. Made from lightweight cotton or linen, the ’60s-style minidresses ratchet up the racy in solid colors (navy and red) and to-be-expected prints and fabrics (anchors, seersucker, and eyelet).

Shapely without being too fitted, they’re perfect for humid days and sticky nights. (Hello, August.) What’s more, they’re so cleverly retro, they go over as beautifully at art openings as they do for G&T’s on Mummy’s new schooner.

Making wardrobe decisions from here till fall nothing but smooth sailing. Even for the prep-averse.

Holiday, 53 Charles Street, Beacon Hill (617-973-9730 or holidayboutique.net).