You Don’t Need A Vacation To Dress Like You’re On One
Sunny outfits start here
I’m happy for everyone on their Euro summer escapades. No, I mean it, with my swollen legs up the wall, eating my third gomacro bar of the day, trying to decide if it’s cool enough for a lap around the park. But a round-trip ticket to Puglia is not a requirement for donning some of your summeriest wares. In fact, vacation dressing is a state of mind.
I’ll gracefully bow out of this year’s festivities at six months pregnant, but next summer, you better believe I’ll be at the farmers market, pretending I’m somewhere on the coast of France, a massive basket practically sprouting with greens under my arm and a sunhat covering my face.
Dressing like a vacation doesn’t require buying anything new. It just takes a little creativity, some positive thinking, and definitely a basket bag.
Swimsuit = bodysuit
Rewear your one piece swimsuit as a bodysuit. Or a bikini as a top! Both are chic! I especially love this look with a white cotton midi skirt or wide leg pants. If you have one with a low back, even better.
I’m very interested in Hunza G. suits, but have also heard amazing things about Youswim. Something textured really works here, too. I’m pretty out on secondhand suits, so my rule of thumb is to spend a little more, take great care, and then retire after the sunscreen stains become too much to manage.
Scarves as skirt, as bag, as a way of life
Pack a scarf, even if you’re going Upstate for the weekend. I’m not asking you to tie it as a top, but go ahead. Just looping one around your bag makes the whole look feel lighter.
Sexy sandals
Some sandals are straightforward in their sexiness, like this pair or this pair. Others are more subtle. These are right in the middle. Consider materials! I like leather for obvious reasons, but suede can be very cool if you treat it well.
The classic flip flop really fits the bill. That is, of course, unless you live in NYC and like me get grossed out by the proximity to the street. Maybe a little platform could help? And in the meantime, I wrote a whole letter about your alternative courses of action.
Minimal makeup
When packing for a summer adventure, mine are all stateside, I love paring down my makeup and haircare to an absolute minimum in the summer. For me, it’s lots of braids, ponytails, and low buns. I’m using this in the shower and these two (towel + treatment) after.
On the makeup front, I skip mascara altogether. You know how stunning you feel after showering post-beach before dinner? I try to channel that simplicity. I use this concealer, this bronzer, this highlighter, and brush through my brows with castor oil. And for my body, I’ve been dry brushing again (see: swollen legs) and using this very affordable body lotion. Plus, a spray of this and this to wash it all off when I’m back. I’ll slather this on my bump and out the door I go.
Sheer layers
Some people are drawn to sheer materials. Others, like me, potentially who grew up under a very strict dress code, are not. But you don’t have to bare your bra and underwear to make sheer happen!
Instead, think of sheer as a way to layer in the heat of the summer. Pair something like an oversized plain white t shirt with a sheer slip for a look that feels editorial, but is just as comfortable as PJs.
How about a sheer sweater vest? This sheer chocolate brown skirt is also very cool. I highly recommend this skirt if you’re looking for an outfit-maker that doesn’t require too much creativity on your end. Focus on adding tried and true accessories and when in doubt, go monochrome with the look.
Wide leg linen trousers
It’s not the first time we’ve talked about wide leg linen trousers and it won’t be the last. If linen isn’t your vibe, opt for poplin! An elastic waist is ideal and go either to the absolute floor or a little cropped. On vacation, you might pair these with a swimsuit. In the city, you can use them as a blank canvas to let your more compelling tops shine.
I wear a top like this with my trousers when it’s 90 degrees plus. Honestly, I’ll slip on some Mary Janes and grab a basket bag and head out the door. But the more adventurous among us might pair a vintage silk cami or this stunning vintage market bag.
Load on the accessories
Greta Lee isn’t one to pile on camp bracelets, at least not on Danielle Goldberg’s watch, but this photo of her in a sheer-ish polo and beaded necklace is the exact embodiment of vacation je ne sais quoi we’re after.
I like to set out jewelry for the week ahead on top of my jewelry box to inspire reaching for something beyond my regular stack. This bolo tie feels like summer in a lasso. I swap my regular earrings out for these. And an enamel ring always makes me feel fancy. Here’s a new version and an enamel band from TRR I’m eying.
A well-stocked bag
If vacation dressing is a state of mind, then the right bag contents are the unsung hero. Of course, there’s nothing quite like stashing a key and a credit card in your back pocket before heading to go dancing. But if you’re committed to feeling off the clock while you’re home, you’ll need supplies.
I recommend a basket bag. Take 15 mins on Etsy or eBay to find one that speaks to you. Maybe something woven in leather? Or acrylic? Ideally, it should have a little space. You’ll need to pack a water bottle filled with lemon water, an additional bev, a pack of cards, a blank card (stamped of course), a mini fan, a paperback, a hair clip, SPF, and some sort of protein-rich snack. This plus an open afternoon—it’s like you're practically on PTO.
Honorable Mentions
Do you guys all love Lizzy Hadfield vlogs as much as I do? I think I might have linked to this last week, but Samin on salad dressing is a rewatch for me. And who doesn’t love a tiny apartment with genius storage?
We’re almost halfway through the first-ever EV Salon Cohort and it’s a blast. Not sure when I’ll pick back up next year, but submit your info here to be the first to find out.
And! My gf Sarah Harned (fab wedding here) just launched her letter with an INSANE curation of one-of-a-kind bridal and party dresses.
Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can preorder my romance novel, Exit Lane, on Bookshop or Amazon. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, and shop my Notion template. You can book my Office Hours to talk shop here. Get matched at EV Salon. And if you want to partner on a future Long Live, email evan@communite.co x
Yesss! I've been thinking of writing almost the opposite of this article--its okay to just wear the clothes you packed for vacation all summer long! My summer look is Tulum cosplay and I'm into it
thank god both of our youtube algorithms are showing us samin make salad dressing