Molto Rinfrescante.

Summer, 1581. Heat wave sweeps across northen Italy.

“It was so hot,” writes Michel de Montaigne in his journal, “as to astonish even the natives.”

The natives are prepared, though. During dinner with a Signor Piccolomini in Florence, Montaigne is not entirely displeased to be served a chilled Trebbiano wine…“it is customary here,” he notes, “to put snow into the wine glasses.”

The Italians have been working on personal thermostat adjustment for a long time. And on more than one front.

Consider this Italian-designed antidote to heat. If you plan to venture beyond air-conditioned confines in the coming months, you’ll appreciate the approach.

Scene Stealer Ruffle Blouse (No. 6559) Perfectly summery V-neck placket blouse with puff short sleeve, and roomy, breathable shape. Airy cotton/linen blend. Especially alluring with a skirt and strappy sandals. Or more radically with jeans and loafers. When you think about it, it could go with practically anything. Imported.