I read Jess Grave’s piece like a manifesto. I swear it quenched a thirst in me I didn’t know was there. Like water out of the hose on a summer day when your dad’s chasing you around your backyard under the scorching sun.
I’m not exactly sure what it is about the Hamptons and the chokehold that town has on us; why the whole country seems to be dying to know what it looks like to walk the streets there. I think it started with The O.C. and Laguna Beach and then made its way to the East Coast. I became a huge fan of The Vineyard and Black Dog restaurant and was ecstatic when Summer House came out shortly after. It was truly, for me, about the outfits. I wanted to know what people were wearing when they were living a life that’s usually a vacation for the rest of the world.
I think it’s the luxury of having access to laziness, I really think that’s it. And it can be as glamorous as you want it to be. It can even be on your back patio under strung lights with a mixed drink your husband made and your kids safely in bed. Tanned skin is just as appealing in a landlocked state. I started to ask myself, what are the hot girls “summering” in in middle America?
Midwestern girls are summering in lake towns up the mitten of Michigan. My friends in the southern part of Ohio are in Tennessee. Some of us are summering on our back porches sticky from watermelon and bubble machines. The allure of the lazy girl summer is maybe more intoxicating to me than filling my calendar with beach trips and soirees. I plan to spend the rest of my summer with a lot of tomatoes, cucumber, feta and sea salt while my children roast marshmallows in our little fire pit out back.
Below are a collection of outfits I wore in peak laziness, celebrating America’s birthday in high summer. None of these photos were taken in a beach town but all of them came with a side of laissez-faire.
If you guys are looking for a The Row jelly dupe, CG shared these and they are selling like hot cakes so get them while you can.
If you need a good top to take you to the end of the summer, I strongly suggest this one. It’s under $10 and with a good steam and cool boxers, it looks designer.
My Grandpa Tom always said that summer was over on July 4 - and in some ways my mindset is already shifting to dressing for cooler nights. It seems crazy because honestly beach season in the midwest doesn’t end until Labor Day. I added a few looks to inspire your end of Summer shopping, I’m thinking ornate tops with relaxed and tiny bottoms.
I hope your high summer is really lazy. I hope there are lots of juicy fruits and popsicles and mixed drinks on your back porch that are maybe a bit too strong. XOXO, Megan
I’m also a big fan of the Love List ❤️🔥