Mother-daughter duo Ilene and Katie Sands impart their must-haves from style to skincare essentials.
One runs the well-admired New York City fashion and lifestyle blog HonestlyKate, and the other is a respected art representative for emerging artists. Together, they are Katie and Ilene Sands, the powerful mother-daughter pair leading life by their respective passions. Here, the stylish selects they swear by.
WHAT ARE YOUR HAMPTONS ESSENTIALS AND WHY IN TERMS OF FASHION?
KS: I always stick to the same four items: a Janessa Leoné packable fedora, my poolside customized tote, Brinker & Eliza shell costume jewelry and a pair of nomadic sandals. I like to emulate ‘city girl gone beachy’ when I’m out East.
IS: My essentials are a long peasant dress, a wedge heel, an oversized straw hat for sun protection and bad beach hair days, and a basket in every shape and size.
WHAT SWIMWEAR AND SWIM ACCESSORIES DO YOU LOVE WHEN HEADED TO THE BEACH OR POOL?
KS: I am a beach person all the way! Recently I’ve been loving the brand Oseree swimwear. The sets are so sparkly and give me that ’70s vibe I’m constantly striving for. I never leave home without a Vitamin A linen coverup and my Illesteva sunnies either.
IS: When I head to the beach, I always rock a crochet cover-up or a sarong, a juicy summer thriller and of course every magazine from the Hamptons.
WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU LIKE TO USE FOR YOUR HAMPTONS SKINCARE ROUTINE?
KS: I’m a huge fan of the [Supergoop!] PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50 with sunflower extract. I also love to go for a more natural look by the beach and usually put a little bit of the Cover FX pressed mineral powder where I’m most shiny. Of course, a hydrating sheet mask goes a long way when having too much of a sunny day. I love to fall asleep with Tula sheet masks. I keep them in my freezer and depuff and hydrate from there.
IS: When your daughter runs one of the biggest fashion and beauty blogs in N.Y., you get to try almost every skincare product on the planet. I love trying all the new sunblocks and after-ocean hair conditioners and hydrating misting sprays.
WHAT FALL FASHION MUSTS DO YOU HAVE YOUR EYE ON THIS SEASON?
KS: A few I’m very excited about are the chunky knitted vests Vested Interest, the growing popularity of blush tone hues and the playful polka dots, which I’ve been styling for my Amazon livestreams in collaboration with Shopbop.
IS: Clogs, cowboy hats and costume turquoise jewelry.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT DOING WHILE SPENDING THE END OF THE SUMMER IN THE HAMPTONS?
KS: My favorite part of being out East is our nightly s’more bonfires. Our farmhouse, which was originally my favorite author John Irving’s, bought by my parents over 30 years ago, is essentially the Grand Central station of the Hamptons. It’s a place where my family comes together to connect, unwind and enjoy each other’s company.
IS: August is my favorite month of the summer... I love having all our [friends and family] over and watching my future son-in-law smoke the meats starting at 7AM until sunset for our family and friends to enjoy. We really are bringing the beauty of the South to the Northeast, and we couldn’t love it more.
Photography by: Portrait courtesy of Katie Sands
