outfits i wore while doing absolutely nothing
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One of the greatest blessings in my adult life (aside from my kids and dogs) has been our family lake house. We’ve been coming here for about three summers now, and just today I caught myself telling my husband: the luster of this place hasn’t worn off. Coming here still fills me with so much joy and happiness.
Whenever I visit, I usually pack low-lift, casual outfits. Sometimes, I get a little wild and pack cute looks that never actually get worn.
This week’s What I Wore is 100% real. What I wore as a true civilian in society. Comfort and simplicity definitely take center stage. Let’s be real: I don’t get dressed up every day. I dress for work Monday through Friday, but on days off or vacation? Negative.
I’m married to a four-shirt husband who wakes up on his off days and within seconds throws on a pair of jeans. These jeans are worn even on days we’re just lounging with zero intention of leaving the house. It’s been a beige flag for me since we started dating a zillion years ago.
Shockingly, I am not a put-jeans-on-upon-opening-your-eyes type of person. I love athleisure and comfort. I love slow mornings and simplicity. That’s what you’ll see in this week’s looks.
Here are my real outfits that I really wore (proof’s in the pics).
Car rides to the lake are all about comfort. I don’t care about looking cute while I’m singing Wicked or Celine Dion and my kids keep asking, “How many minutes until we’re there?” and “Can we go on our iPads?”
I went with an easy monochromatic look. It’s basic, it’s simple and honestly, it’s fool proof. I’ve had BOTH the tank and shorts for many years and STILL reach for them constantly. I love this black racerback tank (sized up two) and these high-waisted black athletic shorts (sized up one). The sneakers are absolute favorites… they have a fun silver/chrome detail that makes the look feel way cooler than it actually is. I tossed on my oversized sunglasses to elevate the outfit, while also being able to see clearly since they have my prescription in them.
I saw Katelyn Cnossen rocking Adidas shorts with button-downs… so I decided to wear Adidas shorts with a button-down. My only complaint? I wish I had sized up in the shorts instead of sticking with my usual true-to-size. Don’t get me wrong!! I love them, but I prefer a more relaxed fit.
This look was perfect for a casual day at the lake. The linen shirt was light because It. Is. HOT. The Adidas shorts were high-waisted, loose, and comfortable. I added chunky gold earrings for a little something extra. Classic Ray-Bans, duh… and the same Nike sneakers from the travel day.
I think I’d also have a lot of fun pairing this look with a pair of ballet flats - it just wasn’t functional for this specific trip.
I felt ready to play and lose a very fashionable game of soccer.
In 5th grade at soccer summer camp, I desperately hoped to be “Camper of the Day.” By the end of the week, I realized I hadn’t earned this prestigious award. But then, plot twist, during the final camp award ceremony, it hit me: OH CRAP… I’m about to get PLAYER OF THE WEEK.
One would think this is quite the honor for a 5th-grade defender with zero soccer skills. But here's the kicker: to accept the award, you had to perform a “move” in front of the entire camp. I panicked. They called my name, Camper of the Week!! I walked up. The camp director rolled me the ball, and I went with the only move I knew—the double scissor.
As I completed it, I heard a tiny first grader in the front row scream, “DOUBLE SCISSOR? YOU SUCK!”
Good times. Yay for trauma. Yay for Adidas shorts as a fashion statement.
It was hot. We went for our usual morning family walk after eating way too much brioche French toast. I was able to listen to the sounds of nature and my daughter complaining for approximately 37 minutes.
We tackled the ungodly hill in our neighborhood, and honestly, we were drenched and chugging water the second we got home.
This look was my version of “less is more.” I usually lean toward more styled athleisure, but bike shorts, a Target ribbed crop top, and sneakers felt like the only temperature-appropriate option for our athletic endeavors.
Even the dogs were horizontal for an extended period after this “family fun march.”
When we’re at the lake, we like to relax, cook at home, and move sloooowww. But, you heard it here first — we went out to dinner! Then we proceeded to mini golf, which is always a treat for our family. My ball fell into the water, and my daughter’s impulsivity and passion to dive into the fountain to retrieve it (mini golf, which I wasn’t even that into) was truly admirable. So were her soggy socks and sneakers, which she rocked to finish the course.
This outfit is a perfect case of unlikely best friends: a dainty ruffle top + lightweight utility pants + woven flats. The pants are definitely a bit lower of a rise than I usually go for, but it worked! Definitely out of my comfort zone, but I was OBSESSED. It made me realize I need to step outside my comfort zone WAY more often.
And hear me out — these pants WILL transition nicely into fall. I’m excited.
This is my kind of athleisure. That cute, fitted outfit I showcased above was fun, but this is my true uniform: an oversized white tank (I order a men’s large), a pair of bright neon shorts, and white sneakers.
If you catch me out of the house during the summer, there’s an 87.2% chance I’ll be wearing some version of this combo. It’s perfect for a workout, the white goes with everything, and the neon shorts add FUN….except when you’re climbing an obnoxiously steep hill in ungodly heat.
“Going out was fun, but you know what’s even more fun? Grilling at home.”—Anonymous Introvert (possibly me).
I love dressing comfortably after a long day at the lake. This is when my boxer shorts really earn their spot in the wardrobe rotation. Similar to the utility pants + dainty ruffle top combo, I’ve been loving the contrast of casual bottoms like boxers with a cute, ruffly top like this white tank from Madewell.
My latest summer obsession? Fruit-inspired BBQ sides. Think watermelon + feta salad or peaches + burrata. If there’s fruit incorporated, it’s basically healthy.
Most of our time was spent reading and relaxing by the lake. The boxer shorts haven’t let me down this summer — cute enough to wear out, easy enough to throw on over my bathing suit.
Let’s not underestimate the power of a slicked-back bun and a good tinted SPF moisturizer during a low-lift, casual summer week. These were my go-to favorites all week at the lake.
I tried to ignore it. I tried not to fall into the trap. I refused to be influenced… until Summer Fridays dropped a “iced coffee” lip balm (!!!) Naturally, I had to try it and let’s just say, it’s a solid 5/5 stars from me. Bonus points for actually moisturizing my lips, too. I love when a “lip gloss” or treatment (or whatever this thing technically is) actually works. As much as I want to believe otherwise: Aquaphor is not lip gloss.
A week at the lake always forces me to slow down and appreciate the world around me. I was inspired by Jennifer Cook (issue #99: 15 (non-shoppable) things that have brought me joy this summer) to come up with some recent non-shoppable things that have made me smile. Here’s my lake inspired list:
Painting ceramics with my daughter.
Watching my son make a friend and find someone who can keep up with his NY Yankee encyclopedia brain.
Mini-golfing in my cute outfit. My daughter rescuing my golf ball at all costs.
My favorite ice cream flavor in town - Hershey’s Cappuccino Crunch. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING compares — Don’t @ ME.
Watching my husband and kids fall in love with fishing.
Making breakfast & drinking my triple shot of espresso slowly.
Visiting baby chicks at Tractor Supply.
Cooking & eating all the summer-cliche foods.
Hydrangeas thriving everywhere.
Finding a rainbow in a fountain.
Actually reading & actually enjoying a fantasy genre. Who knew I’d be so invested in these fairies and their lives? (reading ACOTR Book #2)
As always, thank you (BEYOND WORDS) for taking the time to read my work. If you made it this far you deserve a gold medal.
Let’s Chat:
What are your favorite family vacation uniforms? Both casual and dressy.
Are jeans first thing in the morning a beige flag or a power move?
What non-shoppable little things brought you joy this week?
Love you guys xo,
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Your real life outfits are still so cute tho! I’m still trying to figure out what I wear in my relaxed weekend / vacation time!
Loved all of these looks. These feel like summer happiness to me — carefree, easy, and super cute!!