The Summer
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Spring is over. It's hot, the pool is open, camp is coming, and we've got vacation to pack for. Here's how I'm doing it. xoxo, Sam ✦
The Heat-Wave Kit
Five outfits for when it's actually 95°. The rule: look cute without melting. Each one is tagged with the quiz persona it fits.
Tennis Skirt + Tank
Pleated tennis skirt (white or pastel), fitted ribbed athletic tank, clean white sneakers with little crew socks, hair in two French braids, a visor or baseball cap for the sun, tiny gold hoops, lip balm WITH SPF.
Why: Tennis skirts are the summer cheat code — sporty enough to actually move in, cute enough that it looks like an outfit. Cap + SPF lip balm = you can be outside all day without burning. This beats a sundress in 95° every time.
Matching Linen Set
Linen shorts + a loose linen button-up in the same color. White sneakers OR strappy slides. Claw-clip half-up. Big sunglasses.
Why: A matching set looks like you tried hard. You didn’t. You just bought two pieces in the same color.
Tank + Cargo Shorts
Fitted ribbed tank, cargo shorts (mid-thigh — NOT giant), sneakers with little crew socks, high pony, layered gold necklaces.
Why: Cargo shorts that fit are not the same as your brother's gym shorts. Get ones that hit above your knee.
Floral Sundress + High Pony
Short floral sundress, white sandals with a tiny heel, high pony with a scrunchie, stacked beaded bracelets, glossy lip.
Why: This is the ‘going to dinner with my family’ summer look. Easy to throw on, looks dressed up without trying too hard. A romper works here too — but a floral sundress is hard to beat.
Bike Shorts + Tucked Tee
Biker shorts (not gym shorts!), a graphic or solid t-shirt tucked in the front, sneakers, baseball cap with a medium pony pulled through the slot in the back.
Why: The trick is tucking in JUST the front of the shirt. Tucked all the way around looks like you're doing P.E. The pony-through-the-cap is the sportiest move there is — looks intentional, keeps your face clear.
Pool Day → Dinner
The whole day, one outfit transformation. Three stages. One bag. Don't over-pack.
Pool Arrival
One-piece swimsuit (the cute kind, not the racing kind), an oversized button-up shirt over it as a cover-up, slides, high pony, big sunglasses. SPF on, lip balm on.
✦ The button-up is the move. Easier than a real cover-up and you can roll the sleeves.
Lunch Break
Pull linen shorts on over the swimsuit. Tie the button-up at the waist. Swap to dry slides. Hair: take down the pony, French braid it (wet hair holds a braid AMAZING).
✦ Tying the shirt at the waist hides the swimsuit and makes it look like an outfit.
Dinner Out
Back home, quick rinse, into a clean sundress + simple sandals. Hair brushed out from the braid = effortless waves. Half-up with a bow. Gloss.
✦ That morning-pool hair becomes evening waves. This is the secret of the whole day.
Camp Style 101
Day camp and sleepover camp are not the same thing. Different rules. Different bags.
DAY CAMP
Sporty / LuluSporty. You’re moving all day.
Wear: Athletic shorts, fitted t-shirt, sneakers, high pony, friendship bracelets stacked up, baseball cap. Sunscreen on.
Skip: Sandals (you'll trip). White anything (it's not white when you come home). Jewelry that can fall off.
SLEEPOVER CAMP
Sparkle QueenCute, but functional. You can’t do laundry.
Wear: Mix and match. Versatile pieces. Pieces that look good a little dirty. One slightly-dressy outfit for the last-night dinner.
Skip: Anything you’d cry if you lost. Stuff that needs ironing. Heels.
- • 2 sundresses (one nicer for dinner)
- • 4 pairs athletic / linen shorts
- • 5 tees + 2 tanks
- • 1 hoodie (it gets cold at night)
- • 1 swimsuit + 1 cover-up
- • Sneakers + slides + flip-flops
- • 3 scrunchies, 2 claw clips, 5 ribbons
- • Lip balm WITH SPF — not optional
The Sunglass Showdown
My Top 5 Summer Sunglasses— ranked best to worst. Number 1 is what I’d actually wear. Number 5 is a hard pass.
Cat-Eye
The summer power move. Looks intentional, looks expensive, hides whatever your face is doing. Works with sundresses, tennis skirts, jeans — anything.
Round (Vintage)
Cool girl energy. Best with matching sets, sundresses, or anything boho. Don’t pair with athletic looks — wrong vibe.
Aviators
Classic. Hard to mess up. Everyone has them, though, so they don’t feel special. Safe pick.
Square / Rectangle
Fine. They work. They’re also kind of boring — the white-sneaker of sunglasses.
Tiny Y2K Sunglasses
I’m sorry. They look funny on everyone, and your eyes need actual coverage when the sun is THAT bright. No thank you.
Summer Hair Survival
Three hair moves that survive heat, humidity, pool water, and being outside all day.
The Anywhere Braid
- Brush hair smooth. Split into 3.
- Standard braid OR French braid if you’re feeling fancy.
- Tie at the bottom with a thin elastic + a satin ribbon over it.
✦ Holds all day. Looks cute even messy. Works on wet OR dry hair.
The Claw-Clip Half-Up
- Take the top half of your hair.
- Twist it once or twice.
- Clip with a claw clip. Done.
✦ 10 seconds. Looks chic. Hides the ‘I went swimming this morning’ situation.
The Bubble Braid
- Start with a medium or high pony.
- Add small clear elastics down the length every 2-3 inches.
- Pull each section sideways to puff out the bubbles.
✦ Looks like you tried for 30 minutes. Takes 2. Holds in heat AND it’s a little different every time you do it.
One Bag, One Week
Vacation packing rules from someone who travels a lot. You don’t need that many pairs of jeans.
Always pack
- Lip balm with SPF
- Sunglasses
- 1 hair tie on your wrist
- A reusable water bottle
Never pack
- More than 2 pairs of jeans
- Heels (you won't wear them)
- Your favorite thing from home — you WILL lose it
- Five hoodies — you don't need five
Getting-Ready Playlist
One vibe per day. Fill in your favorite song for each — this is the energy I’m getting ready to.
Sam's Take
Spring was about figuring out what I like. Summer is about livingin what I like. Pool, camp, vacation, sunshine, ice cream, the trampoline. Wear less, wear cuter, wear it every day. Don't overthink it.
More magazines coming soon — I've got more to say than just summer. xoxo ✦
— Sam
Summer Style Memory Match
Flip the cards, find the pairs, try to finish in the fewest attempts. Different from Issue 1’s Mahjong Tile Gallery — this one’s a game you actually play.
Play Memory Match →More Issues on the Way
Sam’s working on what’s next. New issues coming soon — not waiting for fall.
Coming Soon ✦