Ranking 'The White Lotus' Season 3's Holiday Shirts
There's a few lessons you can take from The White Lotus, some more valuable than others.
One: true friendship has its ups and downs (but don't test it by going after the person your mate has a crush on).
Two: sleeping on a life changing decision is always advised – and if that involves moving to a Buddhist monastery, it helps if you can spend the night there too.
Three: don't make any impulsive choices, especially if you have a gun in your hand.
But in a sartorial sense, the HBO show acts as an education into holiday style. Not only because there's plenty of gorgeous looks waiting to be adopted by IRL vacationers, but because, as is the way with those who frequent luxury resorts tapping their AMEX cards nonchalantly, some of the guests would hardly be described as style icons.
The holiday shirt is a mainstay in the great big menswear suitcase, and there are plenty of them on show in The White Lotus resorts. When done right, it's a laid-back staple that looks good with almost anything. But throw on the wrong one and you'll find people commenting on it for years to come.
With this in mind, I've picked a few memorable pieces worn by some of the third season's male cast and given them a ranking from worst to best – as well as some options that are worth packing yourself...
Rick Hatchett (Walton Goggins)
It's so easily done. You've travelled to South East Asia, you realise that your heavyweight wardrobe can't hack the stifling humidity, and so you go on the hunt for something that won't have you sweating at the lunch table.
Then you see this printed design. The red-crowned cranes and orange sun seems oh-so fitting for that part of the Northern hemisphere; an appropriate memento. When in Thailand, eh!
While the design and lightweight fabric are beautiful – this piece is a made with vintage rayon fabric by CEGO – realistically, you'll only wear it within the grounds of your resort. You may even wince at how on-the-nose it was when you see it hanging post-holiday.
Rick won't have that problem, obviously, but that doesn't mean you have to.
Fabian (Christian Friedel) - 3/10
Fumbling hotel manager Fabian can't really catch a break, and I'm not in the business of giving him one. His outfits, which I accept are heavily influenced/dictated by the staff dress code, are quite bad.
For example, this shirt has no place in a luxury resort. With its pastel tones and grandad collar, it's better suited to the workers of a sixties-themed ice cream parlour.
But grandad collars are definitely worth packing, but go for these striped options from Toast or M&S.
Saxon Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger)
It doesn't take long to notice that there is something inherently unlikeable about Saxon Ratcliff. The same goes for his wardrobe, especially his lily-and-montsera-leaf shirts, that feature in two equally unpalatable shades of salmon and sky blue.
Yet there were moments when my feelings towards his top-half dress code softened – and that occurred when he donned this striped long-sleeve. It's completely inoffensive and usefully interchangeable with most basics. It's not outstanding, but that is no bad thing. His pieces don't give the air of a stealth-wealth wardrobe, and you can find the equivalent at retailers like Reiss, Polo Ralph Lauren and Selected Homme.
(My advice to Saxon: focus less on the protein shakes and more on improving your look.)
Zion Lindsey (Nicholas Duvernay)
For a college student on holiday, Zion could look a lot worse. There's no garish short shorts or sports tees, just a rotation of easy-going shirts – bar the 'Solar Psyche' tank seen in episode one. Generally, he straddles that fine line of not looking overly dressed up, but still looking good.
This crinkle-fabric Cuban collar shirt is a vacation failsafe that men of all ages should sport. Oliver Spencer, Bode and Sunspel have suitable options to browse, and pair it with some white shorts to complete the look.
Lochlan Ratliff (Sam Nivola)
You'd expect people-pleasing Lochy to go for clothes that are less out-there and more subdued. Yet here he is, in a crocodile-emblazoned shirt and aviators! Much like the print on his shirt, a sartorial wallflower he is not.
But then, the easiest way of spicing up your holiday wardrobe is with a print. This particular style comes from New York brand Tombolo, born from a collaboration with East London brewery Deya, but you can get similarly fun shirts from Percival and Wax London.
Timothy Ratliff (Jason Isaacs)
Timothy has been an uneasy watch this season, as viewers follow his murder-suicide fantasies and the emergence of a worrying Lorazepam addiction.
Still, you can't knock the man for his impeccable taste in linen shirts, and this sherbet number is a winner.
It looks great against his tan, and in this instance, follows the lockdown-loved trend of Dopamine dressing – the idea that wearing 'happy' colours will boost your mood. Shame it didn't work for the poor fellow.
Grab yours from Loro Piana or Portuguese Flannel.
Rick Hatchett (Walton Goggins)
I'm sure I'm not the only viewer that was happy to see Rick swap out his margarita-by-the-pool (stay clear of the piña coladas) attire for something a little more suave.
The linen get-up he wore to avenge (and unknowingly meet) his father is a prime example of holiday suiting done right: monochrome, devoid of print and slightly loose in fit.
Wearing a shirt so unbuttoned might be sneered upon locally, but in this context, Rick can use the heat as an excuse. To replicate, opt for linen styles from Orlebar Brown, Hartford and NNo7.
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