Meg Ryan opts for comfort in a casual T-shirt and loose white slacks as she enjoys some retail therapy in Italy

She's been a staple of the big screen for almost forty years. 

And Meg Ryan enjoyed some much-deserved down time from tinsel town as she soaked up the sun in Portofino, Italy with a pal on Sunday. 

The A-List star, 56, ditched the Hollywood glamour for a classic black T-shirt embellished with a white star, which she paired with loose fitting white slacks.  

Chilled out: Meg Ryan opts for comfort with a casual T-shirt and slacks as she enjoys some retail therapy in Portofino, Italy on Sunday

Chilled out: Meg Ryan opts for comfort with a casual T-shirt and slacks as she enjoys some retail therapy in Portofino, Italy on Sunday

Meg sauntered around the Italian village in a pair of monochrome sneakers as she indulged in some retail therapy.

The When Harry Met Sally star let her signature blonde tresses fall in her naturally straight style and concealed her eyes from the sunshine in chic black shades. 

Meg enhanced her natural beauty with only a hint of neutral make-up as she meandered through the local shops in search of some Italian treats. 

Laid back: Meg sauntered around the Italian village in a pair of monochrome sneakers as she indulged in some retail therapy

Laid back: Meg sauntered around the Italian village in a pair of monochrome sneakers as she indulged in some retail therapy

On the move: The When Harry Met Sally star let her signature blonde tresses fall in her naturally straight style and concealed her eyes from the sunshine in chic black shades

On the move: The When Harry Met Sally star let her signature blonde tresses fall in her naturally straight style and concealed her eyes from the sunshine in chic black shades

Her chilled out trip comes after her former husband Dennis Quaid discussed his time with the actress, telling Today's Megyn Kelly that it was the 'most successful relationship of my life'.

He went on to say that although he was initially the more famous out of the two, Meg soon became a big star.

'I have to admit it, I did feel like I disappeared. I didn't think I was that small, but I was', he confided. 

Casual: Meg enhanced her natural beauty with only a hint of neutral make-up as she meandered through the local shops in search of some Italian treats

Casual: Meg enhanced her natural beauty with only a hint of neutral make-up as she meandered through the local shops in search of some Italian treats

Calming: In June, Meg talked about her daily ritual, called 'The Turnout.' It was inspired by the act of taking horses out of their stalls to graze in a field
Top up the tan: Meg looked in great spirits as she sauntered through the sun-kissed village

Calming: In June, Meg talked about her daily ritual, called 'The Turnout.' It was inspired by the act of taking horses out of their stalls to graze in a field

Taking a break: Meg Ryan recently confided in pal Gwyneth Paltrow about her decision to 'quit' acting

Taking a break: Meg Ryan recently confided in pal Gwyneth Paltrow about her decision to 'quit' acting

In June, Meg talked about her daily ritual, called 'The Turnout.' It was inspired by the act of taking horses out of their stalls to graze in a field.

'They have their head, they can think, they have this time to imagine their day or whatever,' the three-time Golden Globe nominee explained - according to People.

'We'll take pictures of like the crossword puzzle, the computer, the cup of coffee, the drawings, the thing, and all the ways that you're in that part of your brain that imagines your day or your life and giving it actual time and space in the morning.'

The Connecticut-born 'imagineer' always makes time to do the turnout 'even if it has to be at, like, 6:30 to 8:30, I do it every day now.'

Calling it a day: The actress joined Gwyneth at her annual Los Angeles In Goop Health Summit last month, telling her she felt she was being 'very reactive instead of proactive'

Calling it a day: The actress joined Gwyneth at her annual Los Angeles In Goop Health Summit last month, telling her she felt she was being 'very reactive instead of proactive'

Changing it up: Explained Meg as reported by E!: 'I didn't really aim to be an actor, I was a journalism major at school, and a curious person, and I wanted to go back out into the world'

Changing it up: Explained Meg as reported by E!: 'I didn't really aim to be an actor, I was a journalism major at school, and a curious person, and I wanted to go back out into the world'

Being selective: While Meg is still acting - she has a role in an upcoming TV series - she only takes on very occasional projects, with gaps from the screen of up to four years

Being selective: While Meg is still acting - she has a role in an upcoming TV series - she only takes on very occasional projects, with gaps from the screen of up to four years

Meg Ryan recently confided in pal Gwyneth Paltrow about her decision to 'quit' acting.

The actress joined Gwyneth at her annual Los Angeles In Goop Health Summit last month, telling her she felt she was being 'very reactive instead of proactive.' 

Explained Meg as reported by E: 'I didn't really aim to be an actor, I was a journalism major at school, and a curious person, and I wanted to go back out into the world and figure out who I was—am—in relationship to other things and other people and other environments.'

Doting: In addition to her actor son Jack Quaid, 26, Meg is the single mother of adopted 13-year-old daughter Daisy Ryan

Doting: In addition to her actor son Jack Quaid, 26, Meg is the single mother of adopted 13-year-old daughter Daisy Ryan

Palling around: Meg's friend looked equally stylish in her mustard yellow sun dress

Palling around: Meg's friend looked equally stylish in her mustard yellow sun dress

On the trot: Meg looked totally chilled out as she wandered through the village

On the trot: Meg looked totally chilled out as she wandered through the village

Searching: The actress appeared to pick up a couple of treats during her stay

Searching: The actress appeared to pick up a couple of treats during her stay

While Meg is still acting - she has a role in an upcoming TV series - she only takes on very occasional projects, with gaps from the screen of up to four years.

She explained: 'I never wanted to be an actress. The whole idea of being a famous person... I felt like a witness to, I didn’t feel exactly in it, and I think that was a really good thing. I felt like a student of it in a way, or that I was watching it in an anthropological way.'  

In addition to her actor son Jack Quaid, 26, Meg is the single mother of adopted 13-year-old daughter Daisy Ryan.

She said there were positive and negative parts to being a single mom.

She said: 'I know I'm really her reference, for better and worse, and I'm glad she has other influences. One thing that is nice is you don't get overruled.'   

Treating herself: Meg toted a Frugone 1885 gift bag around, no doubt filled with the brand's luxury items

Treating herself: Meg toted a Frugone 1885 gift bag around, no doubt filled with the brand's luxury items

Looking out: Meg stayed close to her friend as they meandered through the cobbles

Looking out: Meg stayed close to her friend as they meandered through the cobbles

Moving on: Meg took her time as she lapped up the atmosphere in the Italian village

Moving on: Meg took her time as she lapped up the atmosphere in the Italian village

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