What’s the vibe? is all things gay, feminine, empowering, campy, and fun. The goal of this magazine is to empower and encourage readers to not only take fashion risks but use it as a statement. Aesthetics and beauty are often deemed as something not important, and claims are made that it has no ties to the politics and opinions of the world What’s the Vibe? thinks the opposite
Fashion is inspired by the state of the world, and inspiration is everywhere. We find ways to incorporate political conversations into a fashion statement. In order to give credit where credit is due, What’s the Vibe? magazine strives to provide information about the source of our fashion inspirations, everyday apparel, and aesthetics.
Founded by Foster Monroe and Emma Lu Sarkissian, we take our Midwest mindset and pair it with our experiences around the world. We look for things everywhere and find ways to incorporate ideas and aesthetics worldwide into our readers' world.
As the warm weather starts creeping in and the glowing light of summer begins to shine across the rural, wildflower-lined roads, as the night air fills with the sound of frogs singing you to sleep, I am filled with nostalgia for the Ohio summers of my childhood. A mix of feelings comes over me, all reminding me of the simple beauties of Ohio.
It’s the same feeling I get when I remember sitting in the back of my mom’s minivan, driving to the nearby creek, the windows rolled down and “Wide Open Spaces” by The Chicks filling the speakers. The sun poured in perfectly. All you could see for miles was open road and various shades of green, perfectly bright and perfectly saturated. Once out of the car, my brothers and I would squeal as we dipped our tiny toes into the cold water, trying not to slip over the mossy rocks as we made our way through the creek. We would “crick walk” through the water, surrounded by trees and wildlife. When we were done trekking, our mom would be waiting with Superman ice cream at the ready. We would pile back into the car, feet muddy and hands sticky, sitting on damp towels all the way home.
It’s the trip to Grandma’s house so we could go to the lake and swim for the day. We spent our day surrounded by bugs and eating fruit and chips. But as soon as the whistle blew, every little kid would run toward the water, racing to the metal slide that burned your skin if you didn’t splash it with water first. When it was finally time to head back inside the house, we were met with the cool A/C, the night ending on the couch with popcorn and sweets, binge-watching Harry Potter until we drifted to sleep.
It's the Fourth of July reunion that took place every year at my great aunt’s house. Generations of stories and laughter filled the driveway as the kids tossed water balloons back and forth, mimicking the adults playing cornhole. To cool off, we snuck inside through the garage and grabbed a soda. The adults sat around a table full of deli meat, Italian dishes, and a jug of love. The older kids messed with fireworks down the street while the younger ones turned the local playground into a fortress. When the sun went down and people began to trickle off one by one, the cousins all gathered in the backroom. We watched horror movies, acting tough as we hid our eyes behind blankets, our mothers talking about how they used to do the same when they were our age.
These Ohio memories, although mine, come from my mother. She was once a child, like I was, doing all the same things that I hold near and dear in my heart. The magic of those summers lives on because she passed them down to me through her stories, her love, and her quiet insistence that these small joys matter. And now, as the days grow long and golden once again, I feel lucky to carry them forward, shaping my memories while honoring hers.
Cleveland july events
Punch Bowl Social Rooftop Party: July 4
Cain Park Art Fest: July 11-13
Borderlight Theater Festival: July 16-19
BBQ and Hot Sauce Festival: July 18
Irish Cultural Festival July: 18-20
Blazing Paddles Paddlefest: July 19
Lakewood Summer Meltdown Fest: July 19
Cleveland Museum of Art Animation Station: July 19
Taste of Tremont: July 20
Fashion and Business Networking at Nuevo: July 23
A Fashion History of Music Festivals
Foster Monroe
As the summer reaches its peak, so does music festival season. And if you ’ re anything like me, it’s your favorite time of the year. Because truly, what is better than dancing around in a field with your best friends, listening to your favorite artists for days on end? If you're also like me, then your annual summer music festival doubles as your personal fashion week. It’s the time to show off your best looks and let your clothes say who you are before you even speak.
Fashion has always been an essential part of the music festival experience, dating all the way back to the 1960s At first glance, festival fashion might seem like glitter, fringe, and flower crowns. But look closer, and you’ll see something richer: a visual record of resistance, cultural shifts, and a collective style evolution. From antiwar statements and DIY rebellion to corporatesponsored curation, festival fashion tells us as much about where we ’ ve been and where we are as the music does.
Woodstock set the standard for modern music festivals, not just in sound, but in style. Held on a muddy farm in Bethel, NY, the festival drew over 400,000 people and featured legends like Joan Baez, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Santana. At the time, America was in the thick of the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, the fight for women ’ s liberation, and rising environmental awareness. Woodstock positioned itself as “3 Days of Peace & Music,” and the fashion reflected those ideals.
DIY garments, tie-dye, embroidery, and handsewn patches expressed anti-capitalist and prosustainability values with a psychedelic twist. Handmade crochet bras and halter tops, often made by friends, and frayed patchwork denim completed the looks. Casual nudity, from topless dancing to bare feet, reflected the era's emphasis on freedom and liberation. Festivalgoers also wore garments inspired by global traditions, sarongs, kaftans, and Indian tunics, signaling both cultural borrowing and spiritual escapism
Across the pond, in England, the Isle of Wight Festival carried similar energy, drawing even larger crowds and featuring artists like Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, The Doors, and Leonard Cohen. Fashion there mixed bohemian freedom with a creeping glam-rock influence, leather, sequins, and smudged eyeliner.
Meanwhile, the Newport Folk Festival, which ran throughout the decade, established a visual legacy rooted in rural Americana. Worn denim, work shirts, and peasant blouses evoked protest through simplicity. When Bob Dylan famously “went electric” in 1965, he didn’t just shift the sound; he split the visual aesthetic between oldschool folk and new-era rock
As the 1970s unfolded, so did political upheaval and economic crises, shaping a fragmented festival scene, and festivalgoers leaned into that fragmentation. Though Woodstock and Newport came to an end, smaller spiritual and communal gatherings kept the counterculture flame burning Macramé vests, patchwork skirts, leather sandals, and linen dresses dominated these softer, earthier spaces. Accessories doubled as messages: peace signs, anti-war buttons, and headbands worn across the forehead turned looks into protests.
In the U K , things were sharper-edged Under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, racial and economic tensions fueled the rise of the punk scene. Youth culture responded with aggression, rebellion, and style. Under the influence of Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, punk fashion was born, with torn shirts, safety pins, leather jackets, and platform boots. Festivals became protest zones.
In 1978, Rock Against Racism organized a 100,000person anti-Nazi march from Trafalgar Square to Victoria Park, culminating in a festival featuring The Clash and X-Ray Spex Punk fashion, especially Doc Martens, thrived. The brand later noted: “We’ve always been a badge of selfexpression, which would go a long way to explain why we ’ re a festival go-to. That, and we tend to survive a mosh pit and muddy field better than the others”
Back in the U.S., the hippie aesthetic continued. Prairie dresses inspired by 19th-century America, peasant blouses, denim jackets personalized with embroidery, and jewelry referencing peace, nature, and (often problematically) Native American traditions all offered anti-capitalist sentiments. Then the ‘80s took festivals from fields to stadiums. Live Aid (1985), broadcast globally and featuring Elton John, Madonna, Queen, Sade, and David Bowie, marked a new scale of music and fashion. Gone were the handwoven halter tops; in came slogan tees, Ray-Bans, polyester tracksuits, neons, and leather bombers.
Maximalism reigned. Artists like Madonna and Tina Turner were icons of both sound and style, turning festival stages into fashion runways. Hair was bigger, shoulders were broader, and jewelry was layered in bold, glittering statements.
In San Francisco, Burning Man quietly launched in 1986. What began as a small gathering on the beach would become the future of radical, sculptural, and survivalist festival fashion, including dust goggles, LED lights, flame-proof fabrics, and creative silhouettes.
The 1990s embraced contrast Lollapalooza, launched in 1991 by Jane’s Addiction, featured genreblending acts like Ice-T, Nine Inch Nails, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Festival fashion followed suit. The grunge aesthetic, inspired by Kurt Cobain and Anthony Kiedis, took over: flannel shirts, oversized tees, combat boots, and army surplus everything. Simultaneously, hip-hop and rave influences emerged, giving us baggy jeans, windbreakers, tiny sunglasses, and neon beads.
Meanwhile, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Lilith Fair, a landmark all-women’s festival that celebrated folk and alt-pop, shaped festival fashion and culture in its own way. The Lillith Fair uniform consisted of slip dresses and maxi skirts, often layered with tees or shawls, tank tops and spaghetti straps, henna tattoos, long braids, and toe rings, creating a sensual but not hyper-feminized look.
The 2000s were marked by the rise of Coachella. The iconic festival, founded in 1999, exploded in popularity in the mid2000s and helped define many elements of the “festival fashion” we recognize today. Influenced by bohemian icons like Sienna Miller and Kate Moss at Glastonbury, festivalgoers embraced a look defined by fringe, suede, cowboy boots, widebrimmed hats, and flowing maxi skirts. At the same time, an era of indie sleaze and Tumblr grunge emerged. American Apparel basics, fishnets, chokers, and vintage tees became staples at DIY and local festivals Meanwhile, hip-hop artists like Kanye West and Pharrell began headlining major events, shifting the style conversation toward streetwear, sneakers, and bold, logo-heavy pieces. But perhaps the most defining element of festival fashion in the 2000s was the growing need for camera-ready outfits. The rise of social media and celebrity tabloid culture meant that festival looks were no longer simply worn; they were curated, posed, and performed. Festivals became spaces where fans didn’t just watch their favorite artists, but also watched and constructed themselves. Personal style became public content. Looks were documented, shared, and expected.
By the 2010s, festival style had become practically uniform. Flower crowns, bralettes, high-waisted shorts, glitter, flash tattoos, and mesh tops reigned supreme. But with increased visibility came new criticism. Coachella, in particular, became a lightning rod for cultural appropriation debates. Bindis, feathered headdresses, and so-called “tribal” prints worn by non-Indigenous people were called out for their insensitivity.
Then, in 2018, Beyoncé’s headlining Coachella performance, dubbed "Beychella", reset the tone. Her custom Balmain costumes, inspired by historically Black colleges and universities, brought meaning, excellence, and cultural specificity back to the forefront. Festival fashion, once again, proved that it could be more than surface-level; it could be powerful. At the same time, influencer culture and fashion brand partnerships made festival looks more branded, more global, and more visually bold than ever before. By the end of the decade, festivals had become both a place of expression and a platform for exposure. Outfits weren’t just worn for the day; they were designed to live on through the lens.
After the pandemic pause of 2020, festival fashion returned with a roar. Maximalism reigned, but so did a sense of cultural recalibration. Today’s festivals reflect a wide, colliding range of aesthetics. Y2K nostalgia, cottagecore, hippie throwbacks, ravewear, and Midwest princess silhouettes all coexist. Genderfluid fashion dominates, corsets, pearl necklaces, and combat boots appear on all genders, mixing the traditionally feminine with the traditionally masculine in new, expressive ways.
In this decade, performance meets practicality Utility belts, platform shoes, hydration vests, and SPF have become part of the look. Functional style is stylish. And festivals like Afropunk, Outside Lands, and Day In Day Out reflect their hyperlocal or identity-based crowds. Festival fashion is, once again, no longer one-size-fits-all It’s dynamic, personal, political, and plural.
Festival fashion has never just been about looking good; it’s been about feeling free. It’s what we wear when we ’ re dancing, sweating, shouting, and dreaming together. It’s where we try on identities, resist conformity, and publicly celebrate joy
Whether it’s a protest pin, a sequin bodysuit, a pair of Doc Martens, or a crown made of flowers, festival fashion is a collective portrait of our desires. Not just to stand out, but to stand for something as our most authentic selves.
In a world that moves fast and curates harder, festival fashion reminds us that dressing up can still be an act of rebellion, community, care, and joy. So go ahead get dressed! The field is waiting.
NYC july events
Fireworks at Coney Island: Every Friday
Union Square Night Market: Every Thursday and Friday
Brooklyn Flea Market: Every Saturday and Sunday
Queens Night Market: Every Saturday
Upper West Side Grand Bazaar: Every Sunday
Free Movies in Bryant Park:
July 7: Good Will Hunting
July 14: Interstellar
July 21: Ghost
July 28: Pulp Fiction
Uptown Night Market: July 10
Battery Park Free Music: July 10, 17, 24, 31
Trans Summer BBQ at Prospect Park: July 13
JAPAN Fes: July 6 in Midtown East, July 12 in Chelsea, and July 20 in Times Square
Summer Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo: July 12-13
Governors Island market: July 19-20
MoMA PS1 Concert Sets: July 18 and 25
Bronx Night Market: July 26
Pick Wick Vintage Show at Grand Central: July 26
Summer Market in Cobble Hill: July 26-27
Foster Monroe
Thanks to a few glorious inches, men's fashion is getting leggy. The slutty short, in this context defined as anything with an inseam under five inches and consisting of a general air of flirty mischief, is having a twenty-firstcentury renaissance It’s happening in the gym, on the street, at the beach, and, most notably, in all our collective consciousness. The vibe of men’s short shorts is unmistakable: it's sporty, sexy, and just the right amount of unseriousness This menswear trend and its rise to 2025 summer fame isn’t just a story of fashion; it’s a story of how men’s legs have become a site of cultural meaning.
To fully understand this moment and how we got here, we must go all the way back to the 18th century Here, young boys wore short breeches These were baggy garments, similar to bloomers, which allowed them the freedom to run, climb, and avoid the constraints and connotations of adult masculinity. These shorts then evolved into knickerbockers, and by the 19th century, they became even shorter schoolboy shorts In this era, the aesthetic was not erotic but rather a symbol of youthfulness and, in many ways, served as a signal of private school privilege.
Fast forward to the 1920s and ’30s, where we meet the Bermuda short These were tailored, pleated, and associated with tropical leisure, once again making them a symbol of privilege They became a marker of wealth and travel and became an essential part of the suburban Americana wardrobe The love of Bermuda shorts continued for multiple decades Vogue first name-dropped them in 1948, and by the ’50s, they were a summer staple for American dads and beachgoers alike.
Meanwhile, however, some US states outlawed shorts for men entirely Revealing legs was a literal fashion crime. This, of course, did not last. By the 1970s and ’80s, men’s shorts had climbed higher than ever For this, we can thank basketball uniforms, jogging trends, and a general culture of sweaty athleticism This was also the Speedo era Legs weren’t just visible, they were celebrated.
But then came the cargo shorts apocalypse. The 1990s and 2000s ushered in a dark age of fabric overgrowth: shorts that grazed the shin, roomy cargos with pockets to spare Short shorts didn’t disappear, but they lost their mainstream sex appeal.
But not to worry, because here enters Paul Mescal, the patron saint of the modern slutty men’s short. In 2020, a paparazzi image of him wearing tiny, tight white Irish soccer shorts went viral and took the internet by storm. Ever since, Mescal’s tiny sport shorts have become a soft yet seductive challenge to the male gaze and gender binaries His shorts were both hot and humble Sam Wolfson of The Guardian wrote in 2021 that “an exposed thigh projects the qualities of a soft lad They are sporty, useful, athletic, deeply revealing, lightly erogenous, ultimately unthreatening” And maybe that’s the real shift: masculinity is no longer only about concealment and rigidness We’re proving that it can be soft, short, and a little slutty.
Paul Mescal isn’t alone in his sporting of tiny shorts. Harry Styles has been spotted on numerous occasions casually walking the streets of Europe, New York, and LA, pairing his tiny, almost mini, shorts with Sambas, a hoodie, and a tote bag And we all collectively drool in both awe and envy Others in the thigh guy universe include LeBron James, Pharrell Williams, Donald Glover, and Jeremy Allen White, to name just a few
Historically, sport and sex have always gone hand-in-hand Tiny athletic shorts go back to the Victorian era, when sportswear first began to exist as a separate wardrobe category. A 2008 study from the University of Wrocław found that people are most attracted to long, healthy, muscular legs And for men, showing thigh suggests not only athleticism but also vulnerability and even flirtation
And now, it’s not just sports brands taking advantage of mini shorts. Designers and brands like Rick Owens, The Row, Prada, and Fear of God are now selling fashion-forward, microscopic shorts for men Fashion houses Gucci, Hermès, and Dior even went as far as to feature them on their 2025 runways.
The trend extends to swimwear, too. Speedo’s new Jetstream collection offers 35-inch drawcord briefs inspired by the 1980s Today, in Europe, brief-style suits are mandatory in French swimming pools and common on Italian beaches. In fact, Google searches for Speedos are up 41% in the U.K., and globally, swim brief searches are up 17% As Luke Day, fashion director and lover of the micro-short, said, “Shorts have become so short it’s like what is next? The answer has to be swimwear”
Luke Day also points out that before GQ put five-inch inseams on straight men, short shorts were already a staple in queer fashion, clubwear, and beachwear “As a gay man, I feel we are often pioneers of trends I’ve been wearing short shorts for 10 years”
In an age where gender expression is getting looser, shorter shorts feel inevitable. They challenge old binaries and invite practicality, fluidity, sensuality, and fun So let’s raise a glass (and a hemline) to the slutty short A little fabric with a lot to say
Dressed for grillin’ Emma Lu
There’s a special kind of magic that happens at a summer cookout. The grill is hot, the playlist is flowing, and everyone is bringing their A-game, both in the kitchen and in their outfits. This isn’t just about what’s on your plate.
Welcome to the ultimate cookout style guide, where every dish has a matching outfit. From sundresses with sangria to jorts with kebabs, we’re eating looks and dishes. Whether you’re hosting the function or showing up fashionably late with a killer dip in hand, this guide is your blueprint for being the best-dressed (and best-fed) person at the party.
SANGRIA & SUNDRESSES
To me, Sangria is one of the best drinks to bring to a cookout. The sun is shining and you’re slightly parched, craving something to drink that’s going to keep things fun, sweet, and satisfy your hydration… there’s nothing better than a sangria A case of beer is great to have, but it’s better after you have a glass or two of this rosé sangria.
8 Servings
2 bottles of Rose
1 cup of vodka
2 cups of cran-pomegranate juice
A cup of sliced strawberries
⅓ cup of lemon juice
⅓ cup of simple syrup (if needed)
Sliced lemon
Mint leaves
Combine Liquids
Add Fruit
Serve Mama (don’t forget the pitcher with extra ice and cups!)
When my mind thinks of Sangria, I think effortless and classy, yet still fun and flirty. You never know exactly what’s in the drink, the same way you don’t know if whoever brought the sangria took the risk of staining their favorite sundress while mixing it, or if they changed after making it However you think they did it, this combo of fun, flirty drinking paired with the flowy sundress is there to make sure everyone is having a nice time and looking great doing it.
FRUIT SALAD AND FLIP FLOPS
Something that is seriously underrated at the cookout is the fruit salad. You know there’s going to be a ton of side dishes (well, if your friends read this article, then there will be), but there also should always be some sort of a sweet treat. When it comes to sweet treats, fruit salad can sometimes feel like a bit of a copout, and you may be thinking it’s just a bunch of fruit First of all, do you know how expensive fruit is? Especially in this economy, if you have more than five friends? Secondly, it’s not just about the fruit salad, it’s about how you elevate it.
6 servings
1 watermelon cut into cubed pieces
1 ½ cups of strawberries, sliced
1 ½ cups raspberries
1 ½ cups pitted cherries
1 ½ cups blueberries
Dressing
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 ½ tsp lime zest
2 tbsp honey/agave
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint
Zest lime, mix lime juice, agave mint together, set aside Chop and wash all fruit and place in a large serving tray Drizzle dressing over the top and gently mix Garnish with torn mint
Yum! How refreshing! Fruit salad with this kind of dressing is so it-girl, and so it only makes sense to pair this dish with a summer it-girl outfit. This diva is excited for the cookout because they’re treating it like a fashion show, but in a model off-duty kind of way. Wired metal sunnies, a simple, plain tank that cuts perfectly at their waist, wide leg jeans that are a little loose in the best way possible, and finally, chunky flip-flops You can’t help but look down when they’re carrying their tray of fruit salad to see the cutest heeled flip-flops. This simple but elevated look paired with this simple but elevated dish screams summer, but in an Addison kind of way.
PEACHES AND LINENS THE HIP WAY
One of my favorite grilled dishes growing up was grilled peaches - the kind that are just crispy enough so they taste a little bitter To get more of a savory spin on this grilled delicacy, we have a twist on the caprese salad, but instead of tomatoes, we’re doing grilled peaches, baby.
8 servings
Salad:
4 ripe peaches
Container of mini burrata (drained)
Cup of fresh torn basil (add more to taste)
Dressing:
4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Brush peach halves with olive oil
Grill cut side down for roughly 5 minutes or until charred to your liking
Mix dressing together while peaches are cooking
On a platter, arrange peaches with burrata
Garnish with dressing and basil
This dish is both warm and refreshing It’s sweet and it’s savory, so the look has to be neutral To start this look, dig out those pairs of linen bottoms that you can just never seem to get rid of. Every time you put them on, they look better! Ideally, they’re a cream, brown, or black, and then paired with a neutral top that is on the opposite side of the color wheel If you choose a brown bottom, go with a cream top. If it’s a white bottom, go with a black top. My favorite thing about a neutral outfit is that it’s the accessories that complete the look. Layer up on jewelry and let the jewels sparkle the same way the sugar sparkles off the peaches!
ELOTE DIP AND ATHLETIC ATTIRE
One of the best things to bring to a cookout is corn on the cob But want to take it one step further? Try this mouthwatering Elote dip
8 Servings
4 ears of husked corn
A cup of cream cheese
½ cup sour cream
1 cup mayo (HELLMANS)
1 cup cojita cheese crumbled
½ cup fresh chopped cilantro
1 lime juiced and zested
2 tsp chili powder (more to taste)
2 cloves of crushed garlic
One diced small red onion
Diced jalapeno (optional for additional spice)
Salt and pepper to taste
Grill corn until lightly charred and cooked through (roughly 13 minutes)
Once cooled, cut kernels off and set aside
Dice red onion and set aside
Dice jalapeno and set aside (optional: add onion)
In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo until smooth
Add all seasonings, cheese, lime juice, garlic, and cilantro into the base and mix until combined evenly
Add in the corn and red onions and fold gently until everything is coated
taste/add seasonings if needed, and depending on how spicy
Let the dish marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving
Serve with tortilla chips
You can’t go wrong with a chip and dip, the same way you can’t go wrong with a sporty look on a hot summer day I love athleisure wear on a hot day, especially when it’s done right and styled correctly, not when it’s just thrown on. To achieve this look, I recommend looking for a sports jersey or T-shirt and pairing it with either an athletic skirt or a pair of jorts. You’re ready to run around if that’s your vibe, but you’re also incredibly comfortable if you just want to hang out. Utilizing accessories to your advantage allows you to stand out a little bit and make people wonder if you’re the sporty one or if you can just pull off a sporty outfit
PLAID AND PASTA SALAD
Love it or hate it, you’re always going to find pasta salad at the function So if it’s going to be there, you might as well bring a great pasta salad that will turn everyone into a pasta salad lover. This recipe is one of my favorites and changed the pasta salad game.
6 servings
1 pound of bowtie pasta
Small jar of sundried tomatoes
1 small radicchio
1 jar of green olives
Container of burrata
Dressing
Oil from sundried tomato jar
2 tbsp brown mustard
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 tbsp honey
2 small crushed garlic cloves
Salt and pepper to taste
Boil water and cook pasta to instruction
While water is boiling/pasta is cooking
Chop up radicchio, sundried tomatoes, and green olives to desired size
Set aside and in a separate container, mix the dressing, you may need to add things to taste Once pasta is cooked and cooled, combine everything, tearing burrata as you mix With everything combined, you’re ready to serve!
Since it’s a classic dish at the cookout, why not go for a classic summer look? The trendy but classic red gingham fabric will always be a summer staple, and it’s the perfect pairing to a pasta salad Gingham is already a bold pattern, so you don’t need much to style it It’s best paired with white to tie and simple black accessories to offset the red.
JORTS AND KEBABS
My recent cookout fixation is kebabs It’s meat and veggies on a stick, how can you go wrong? They’re yummy and full of whatever you want them to have. But in order to get the flavors all going, they must be properly marinated So, how should you get that flavor going?
1/4 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic, grated Juice from 1 lemon
1 teaspoon Italian herb blend (such as thyme, basil, oregano)
1/4 teaspoon salt
A pinch of pepper
For an easy meal that you can’t go wrong with, let’s go with an easy outfit you can’t go wrong with A perfect summer look is a pair of jorts and a white tank. You can dress it up and dress it down, making it a perfect summer staple just like kabobs!
Swimwear Anxiety
Emma Lu
Picture this: It’s noon. You’ve just arrived at the beach. The sun is high, the sand warm beneath your feet. You lay out your towel, crack open a cooler stocked with subs and cold beer, turn on your favorite playlist, and strip down to your swimsuit
Perfect summer vibes, right?
But what no one else on that beach can see is the emotional labor it took to get to this point, the trying on, the questioning, the internal monologue that started long before your toes hit the sand Choosing swimwear isn’t as easy as grabbing the first thing in your drawer. The questions begin. One-piece or bikini? Maybe a tankini? They’re making a comeback. Does this show too much cleavage? Are these bottoms cutting in? Are these swim shorts too short? Too long? Too tight? Should you throw on a tee or go topless? The spiral is real Swimwear anxiety is more common than we think, and it often keeps people from enjoying the very experiences summer is made for. Whether you ’ re sixteen or sixty, it’s hard not to compare your body to others when you ' re essentially half-naked in public The pressure to look a certain way can feel inescapable.
So, how do you move past the anxiety and into the joy? The key is balancing mindset with style, finding mental calm, and a suit that makes you feel good, not just trendy
Start With the Mindset
Before you even reach for your swimsuit, put the phone down Seriously Scrolling past posed and Photoshopped images on Pinterest or Instagram isn’t doing you any favors. Those images aren’t real life. They're filtered, curated, or often even ads designed to sell you something. Instead, spend a few quiet moments grounding yourself Positive self-talk might sound cliché, but it’s a powerful tool When anxiety starts to creep in, repeat affirmations that bring you back to reality and remind you of your worth. Repeat them while you ’ re getting ready, in front of the mirror, or even while you ' re walking down to the water Little by little, they start to rewire your inner narrative
My body is my home, and I am grateful for this safe space.
My body allows me to experience the joy of summer.
I deserve to feel good in my skin, exactly as I am.
I am not here to impress anyone, I’m here to enjoy myself.
Confidence isn’t about looking perfect; it’s about feeling free.
Now, Dress for You
Once your mindset is in a healthier space, let’s talk fashion. The swimwear industry thrives on evershifting trends, making many of us feel like we need a new bikini every time summer rolls around. But that cycle leads to overconsumption, body comparison, and serious environmental damage. Brands like Shein contribute over 6.3 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, churning out cheap swimwear in unsafe working conditions with devastating impacts on the planet A $12 swimsuit isn’t worth the mental or ecological cost
Instead of chasing the latest trend, focus on what actually makes you feel good. Maybe it’s a highwaisted bottom that offers more comfort. Maybe it’s a sporty top that lets you dive into the waves without worry. Maybe it’s a flowy cover-up that doubles as a confidence booster. Fashion should serve you, not the other way around.
Summer is too short to let a piece of fabric decide whether or not you enjoy your beach day You deserve to feel the sun, to float in the water, to laugh with your friends, without worrying about what you ’ re wearing.
So here’s the truth: confidence isn’t about the perfect swimsuit. It’s about feeling at home in your body, trusting your worth, and wearing whatever lets you live the moment, not hide from it. Now go soak up the sun. You've earned it.
CHICAGO july EVENTS
Movies in Millennium Park
July 1: The Sandlot
July 8: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
July 15: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
July 22: Love and Basketball
July 29: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Jazzin’ at the Shedd: Every Wednesday!
Garden of Collective (@gardenof.collective) Stars and Dykes Beach Party at Foster Beach: July 4
Garden of Collective (@gardenof.collective) Saphic Craft Night: July 9
Windy City Smokeout: July 10 - 13
Chosen Few House Music festival at Jackson Park: July 12
Southport Art Fest: July 12 - 13
Tacos y Tamales Festival Pilsen: July 19
Chicago Vintage Festival at Fulton Market: July 19-20
Andersonville Vintage Market: July 20
Wicker Park Fest: July 25 - 27
Chinatown Summer Fair: July 27 - 28
Fiesta Del Sol in Pilsen starts July 31
Lolla starts July 31
I grew up in Edgewater, a small neighborhood on the north side of Chicago, lined with colorful Victorian houses and nestled along the lakefront. In the summer, our little neighborhood came to life in full saturation The sun would shine down, brightening the already vibrant facades of blue, yellow, and purple houses. And with the lake just a few blocks away, we practically became a little beach town. I moved from Edgewater to the bustling streets of New York a few years ago, but every time summer rolls around, it’s the neighborhood of my childhood I long for.
The first Saturday of June always marked the beginning of summer. Every year, the neighborhood hosted its annual yard sale Every house for blocks would line their sidewalks with old furniture, worn clothes, and random trinkets. It was a hoarder’s heaven, and for a young thriftaholic in the making, it was a dream come true. My younger brother, my childhood best friend, who lived next door, and I would spend the morning making lemonade and chocolate chip cookies to sell while our mothers bargained with neighbors to offload the junk we’d collected from our homes. After a few hours, once we sold out of our baked goods, we’d take the cash we made and run around the neighborhood, feeling like little adults With our arms full of used CDs, funky costume jewelry, and vintage magazines, we’d sit on my bright green front porch and admire our haul.
The rest of the summer was filled with ice cream and lake days. My mom would pack an old red wagon with bags of beach toys, fresh watermelon, and towels. The three of us would pile on top as she pulled us through the Chicago streets to the lakefront, where we’d spend all day playing mermaids and running through the sand At the end of a long day in the sun, we’d head to our neighbor’s taco stand for tamales, then to the local vintage custard shop. Stuffed with our favorite foods, we’d sit on the porch as the sun went down and the lightning bugs came out.
Now, years later, when summer begins to bloom in the city, I find myself craving more than just sunshine; I crave the slow, joyful rhythm of those Edgewater summers. I remember them not just for the lake days or sweet custard, but for the feeling of home, community, and being young in a world that felt full of possibility. Even from miles away, that little pocket of Chicago remains the brightest hue in my memory.
