The Group Chat: Summer Packing List
my summer wardrobe MVPs and beauty essentials
Hi friends,
What are your plans this summer? I’m counting down the days until our annual Cape Cod trip with my partner and family. This will be my sixth summer on the Cape, which still feels surreal since I didn’t have any summer traditions growing up. There’s something really special about returning to the same place every year.
If you’ve never experienced a summer in New England, there’s nothing quite like it, and I’m already dreaming about those idyllic moments — ice cream trucks at the beach, watching sea lions at the pier while waiting for lobster rolls, morning walks to the lighthouse, barefoot backyard clambakes, sunset drinks on the lawn. I can’t wait to do it all again. Cue The Summer I Turned Pretty montage to August. An absolute dream.
I basically pack the same staples every year without fail. My Cape vibe is relaxed and uncontrived. You won’t catch me serving lewks in a Lilly Pulitzer dress with a matching headband à la Sirens. It’s all easy linens and crisp poplin, mostly neutrals with the occasional pop of color. This year, I’m leaning into modern bohemian touches through texture and accessories.
Summer Wardrobe MVPs
Oversized shirts: Not just a summer MVP — I wear button-ups year-round, so I’ve amassed quite a collection. I tend to pack a few in linen and poplin, which I wear as a cover-up or with matching bottoms to dinner. My summer go-tos: the Deep End linen shirt from AYR (in a size up) and Soldout NYC’s Everything shirt (in my true size).
I’ve been wearing the Presley from The Anteros non-stop, and I’m planning to wear it with these gingham shorts and a cool neck stack for cocktails at CBI.
I came across this note, so I have to do a quick PSA: Poplin is a weave, not a fabric! Same goes for twill, oxford, denim, satin, velvet — it’s all about how the threads are woven together. Like how a satin pant could be made from silk, polyester, or even cotton (sateen) — satin just tells you how it’s woven, not what fiber it’s made from.
Pull-on pants: I am very much a pants person in the summer, but I can’t be bothered with buttons or zippers, ok? An elastic waist (preferably thin) is the way to go. I live in the Donni simple pants, specifically the linen and silk versions. My current wardrobe gap is a white poplin pant as an alternative to linen. I’m eyeing the Leset Kyoto pants and the Clyque the Label Kira pants. Not a need, but a want: these sheer organza pants from Aflalo.
I’d wear something like below for schmying around town with a nitro cold brew in hand.
Essential tees and tanks: my ride-or-die’s below…
Flore Flore Esme tank: An obsession at first try, and at this point I want every color. IMHO, nothing compares to Flore Flore’s organic cotton and quality construction. You get what you pay for. I size up because I don’t love tees or tanks to be constricting. I also love the boatneck Timmi tank, and another standout I recently discovered is the Monica tee, which is described as a relaxed fitted tee. I take my true size in the Monica.
Leset Margo tee and COS clean cut t-shirt: Fashion Substack-approved tees for a reason — relaxed, but not boxy. Always delivers.
Runner up: *Marine Layer Lexi rib crew: The fit is similar to the Flore Flore Car tee. Substantial cotton fabric, slim but not baby, and oh, so soft. 10/10.
Non-denim shorts or skirts: The pull-on and go type that somehow work with everything. I’m talking linen bermudas, poplin skirts, eyelet shorts, etc.. If you want something beyond basic linen, try gingham in seersucker or a fun but chic print like these Pepa Pombo knit shorts that have a board short vibe.
For a post-dinner ice cream run, I’d wear something easy and chic like below.
Cotton knits: Summer knits are essential for AC coverage or those sunset beach moments when it starts to cool down. This organic cotton tank from Modern Citizen is so chic and sharply-priced. I love a mid-weight cotton like this Frank & Eileen pullover. The brand generously gifted it to me last year, and I’ve been wearing it year-round in SF. I’m also obsessed with a vintage J.Crew roll neck sweater. eBay is your best bet for finding that perfectly lived-in summer knit. And you can’t go wrong with a cardi either. I got this cotton crewneck from Jenni Kayne last summer, and I’ll continue wearing it for many seasons to come.
Matching sets: An oversized shirt with matching shorts to be specific. I love a coordinating set over a swimsuit for the easiest beach to town transition. Last summer in Provincetown, I went straight from the beach to our favorite spot in town for pizza and an espresso shake — no outfit change needed. It’s become a post-beach P-town tradition.
My shirt is from SoldOut NYC, but I missed out on the matching bottoms so I opted for linen shorts that are similar enough in shade. Nobody’s paying attention that closely so it’s ok if your sets aren’t perfect! I’m also a fan of the striped sets from Yaitte.
Comfy swimwear: Hunza G has been my go-to for the last few years, but these other brands are also top-notch: Left on Friday, Eres, Lido. I’m loving the idea of this La Veste caftan over a suit for a day at the beach.
Easy dresses: An easy poplin dress (in neutral or primary colors) and a breezy printed dress will handle 90% of your summer occasions. I prefer a relaxed shift silhouette with barely there straps just like my favorite Toteme maxi. I’m keeping tabs on this broderie slip from Matteau, hoping it goes back in stock.
Fun jewelry, bags and accessories: Summer is when I really lean into playful accessories. Think big earrings, colorful wrist stacks, statement pendants, playful ankle stacks. Same goes for bags — this is peak silly little bag season. Raffia, fringe, printed. — the more playful, the better. Don’t overthink it.
Playful shell jewelry and nostalgic cord details seem like the defining jewelry trends of summer ‘25. Plus, scarves worn as bandanas and pareos are having a major moment.
Speaking of prints, I’m also loving anything scarf printed right now. This silk shift from Doen is so easy — the kind of thing you throw on for dinner at the tiki bar in town.
Sandals with interest: Beyond your basic flip-flops, I love having a pair of sandals with personality. Beaded or paracord styles have become the detail of choice in the last two seasons, and this Tibi sandal is basically what you’d get if the Miu Miu rope sandal and the Khaite loop beaded sandal had a baby.
Summer Beauty Essentials
The actual products I’m saving room for in my suitcase…
I was already a fan of Vintner’s Daughter cream cleanser (a double-cleanse in one step!), and recently I got to try their *active essence and botanical oil serum. Safe to say, I’m hooked and understand the longstanding hype, even a decade after they launched the most-awarded face oil ever. They now have *minis of their essence and face oil, both of which will definitely be taking up room in my toiletry bag.
The *ZIIP Halo facial toning device really works when used consistently. Three times a week is when I noticed an actual difference in my face. I’ve been wearing less makeup lately because of my ZIIP + Vintner’s Daughter regimen. Another product that actually delivers with consistent use is the *Sweed eyelash growth serum.
YSE Beauty sent me their *SPF primer and *brightening eye cream, both of which I instantly loved. I apply them under the Fara Homidi essential face compact, which blends like a dream.
For body sunscreen and oil, I trust the French. This one smells divine and glides on like butter.
I’m also packing travel minis of: Sofie Pavitt cleanser, mandelic serum, and moisturizer, Crown Affair air dry texturizing mousse, ROZ hair essentials. I wish the *Corpus body wash also came in travel size, but I’ll decant it myself because it smells too good to leave behind.
I have a few discount codes for some of the products I mentioned — ZIIP Beauty (LWSF10), ROZ Hair (LWSF15).
Check out some of these fashion Substacks that share my love for poplin, summer pants, and matching sets from
and :
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Angela, can I please just win the lottery so I can add these outfits to my wardrobe (but also magically they'd be secondhand). You have the best eye and your flat lays are a dream.
Button ups are truly an unrecognized hero