What the girlies are wearing in Palm Beach
Observations from a woman who can’t relax without also conducting social research.
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Just finishing up a quick little getaway from Palm Beach. It was exactly as expected—a beautiful mix of rest, relaxation, sibling fighting, and getting splashed in the face after asking my kids not to approximately 1,523 times. But in all seriousness, the trip was amazing. It was exactly what we needed to power through the home stretch before summer.
Let’s talk about what the girlies were wearing in Palm Beach! We spent five days there and enjoyed all the area had to offer. There was nothing I enjoyed more than sleuthing at the pool and around town, observing what the girlies were wearing. I am the ultimate people watcher on vacation. I’m constantly noting style and eavesdropping on every couple’s family drama within earshot.
Palm Beach is a beloved vacation spot, known for its warm weather, historic mansions, beaches, and upscale shopping. Once a playground for the Vanderbilt’s and Kennedy’s, it’s since expanded its guest list to gen pop—LOL, including me.
Palm Beach is known for its fashion-forward ways. Think of it as “coastal grandmother chic” with a twist. It’s where old-money elegance meets maximalism and vibrant flair. Color palettes range from classic neutrals to bright pinks and greens.
I was in full people-watching mode at the pool. It’s literally my absolute favorite pastime. I enter this borderline creepy anthropologist mode where I start observing human behavior and coming up with these wild, research-worthy questions.
The best part? When I land on a solid observation, I keep gathering data throughout the trip and then toss the question to my husband for his take. Naturally, I was observing the fashion—because holy moly, there were some seriously impressive fashion girlies at our hotel. I did not feel worthy. I took iPhone notes on the trends, styles, and cute outfits I loved.
But what I didn’t expect to observe? Books. Specifically, the book Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. One of my toxic traits is that I cannot finish a book unless I’m 100% invested. Even if I’m at a solid 90%, there’s a strong chance it’ll never get finished. I have a graveyard of half-read books on my nightstand. It’s a rare honor, but this book made it onto my actually finished list.
I snapped this picture of myself on our first pool day, feeling pretty cool reading Let Them Theory. I absolutely adore Mel Robbins and her podcast. The book was good—it brought up some ideas I really agreed with... and honestly, a few I didn’t. But who the hell am I? Definitely not the host of a world-famous podcast. Just a thirty-something-year-old mom, half-submerged at the pool, getting splashed in the face.
Then a really sweet lady from Michigan set up next to me. We chatted about the book—I gave her my very honest literary review, and she told me it was high on her “want to read” list.
The next day, I spotted another woman with that bright green book, lounging by the pool. I wanted to share my thoughts with her, but she looked like she was soaking in some much-needed alone time. Luckily, social intelligence is one of my stronger suits.
But then it got weird—in the days that followed, The Let Them Theory was everywhere. I must’ve seen at least ten women reading it at the same time by the pool. And here's the thing: 100% of the readers I saw? Women.
I think Mel Robbins is an incredibly powerful voice for everyone, but that pattern got me thinking: Why is this book hitting home with so many women in particular?
The main premise of the book is this: If someone wants to do something you wouldn’t do—just let them. It’s about letting go of the need to control others. (Strong disclaimer: This does not apply to your kids launching spaghetti across the restaurant—according to my friend Mel, you can’t just “let them” in that scenario.)
So why was I reading it? And could all those other women be reading it for the same reason?
Personally, I feel this deep internal need to keep the peace in all aspects of my life. I also constantly personalize everything. If someone doesn’t smile back at me when I see them, I’m convinced they hate me, my outfit, and my entire existence. Mel’s words remind me that other people’s behavior isn’t a reflection of me. If someone didn’t smile at me, that’s a them problem, not a me problem.
I’ve always loved to control situations—people’s feelings, their interactions, the whole shabang. But Let Them Theory? It gives me permission to sit back and just, well, “let them.” And let’s be honest, I’m the ultimate overthinker and people-pleaser. I have an entire Substack devoted to me overthinking on a weekly basis. I often care way too much about what people think of me.
I almost didn’t start this blog because of that.
Until, finally, my husband said [in regards to starting a blog]:
“Traci, people ARE going to make fun of you. It’s going to happen. You’re either okay with that, or you’re not.”
I think that’s why this book is resonating. It gives us the permission we’ve been craving—to live more authentically, to stop people-pleasing, to stop trying to maintain peace at the expense of ourselves. And honestly, it’s exhausting just typing that.
Back to the pool. I turned to my husband and said, “Can you believe I’ve seen almost ten different women reading Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins?”
Then I launched into the TL;DR version of the theory.
“What do you think that says about the bigger picture?”
He looked at me like I was deeply unwell. Then he shrugged, dunked under the water for an extended period of time, and when he finally came up for air—after I’d death-stared him for a solid 30 seconds—he said, “I don’t know?”
If that’s not a textbook Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus moment, I don’t know what is.
He couldn’t care less—because in the grand scheme of things, he truly doesn’t care what people think (or what people are reading LOL). He doesn’t try to control every situation. The guy has been shrugging his shoulders through life since I met him at 16. No one embodies “It is what it is” better than him. Other people’s opinions, societal pressures, and even someone not smiling at him don’t make the slightest dent in his day. That has to be why he has baby-soft skin, no wrinkles, and still looks 18.
I don’t have answers for how to fix this or how to live a freer life. We may need to call in the professionals on that one. But it’s some good food for thought.
Just a little reminder that as women, we’re hardwired and conditioned in complicated ways—but we deserve lives filled with peace. We deserve to take chances. And most importantly, we deserve to live lives that feel authentic to us—no matter what the world thinks.
Ok, enough of my philosophical spirals. Let’s dive into what I observed at the pool, beyond Mel Robbins’ bright green book. I want to share my anthropological experience of fashion and style that I witnessed live in the wild.
Palm Beach Fashion Notes
In true fashion I have random notes written on my phone as to what I observed and loved. The funny part is — the notes may not make full sense to you, but I know exactly what each one means, the color it refers to, and the style. I honestly may be an undercover genius.
Straw Hats
Loved all the adorable straw hats I spotted at the pool. Who knew a straw hat could be so complicated? With so many styles out there, these sun protectors can go from basic to seriously interesting. Here are a few of my favorites.
Links: Fedora // Straw Sloped Hat // Straw Cowboy Hat // Black Straw Hat
Straw Bags
In the same breath as the straw hats—there were straw bags everywhere. Not your average floppy straw pool bag. I’m talking straw bags that looked like they had dinner reservations. Some of them had Birkin energy. Bottega bags were everywhere, as were those Gucci wallet-on-a-strings. I’ve requested both for Mother’s Day. I’ve been denied. Twice.
Straw bucket bag #1 // Straw bucket bag #2 // Black Bottega Bag // Black Bottega Dupe // Bamboo Handle Straw Bag // Beach Birkin // Wallet on a String // Brown Woven Bag
Matching Sets
I loved all the matching sets I saw—felt like I understood the assignment with my red linen one from Gap. There were so many fun and interesting printed sets, too. I noticed a lot of green and white stripes across skirts, shorts, shirts—you name it. It was such a fun play on vibrant colors.
Links: Red Linen Button Up // Red Linen Trouser Pants // Red Linen Shorts // Red Linen Tank // Denim Boxer Shorts // Printed Set # 1 (Reviews were a little iffy for this one - check them over before investing) // Printed Set #2 // Green Striped Top // Green Striped Bottom // Gingham Tank // Gingham Shorts // Striped Cover-up
Sandals
Sandal styles should always prioritize comfort. No one wants to be limping around town with raw blisters. Trust me—I learned the hard way. My daughter’s Croc was rubbing slightly on her ankle bone, and the screams on our walk to and from dinner are now permanently etched in my brain. I might actually have PTSD.
Anyway, here are the ones that caught my eye.
Links: Brown fisherman sandals // Red Gladiator Sandals // Red Sandals Dupe // Brown & Black Slides // Brown H Sandals // Brown Strappy Sandal
Crochet Everything
I loved the crochet vibe the girlies were giving. Some were simply wearing a crochet dress over a bathing suit. Others had the most adorable sets—button-ups paired with little short shorts. We’re also entering (or continuing) an era of sheer everything, and I was here for it. Sheer coverups at the pool felt so rebellious—in the best way. The ladies—and even the chicest grandmother I’ve ever seen—who rocked them oozed confidence.
Links: Red Striped Crochet Set // Crochet Set Amazon // White Crochet Pants // White Crochet Cover-Up Dress // Crochet Tee and Skirt Set // White Sheer Polka Dot Pants // White Sheer Polka Dot Tank
Swim
Swim was fun to observe. Lots of black bathing suits—which was to be expected. I did notice a lot of swimwear featuring that scrunchie-like material. Super flattering. Bright colors and prints were also out on display.
Links: Red Swim Top & Bottom // Brown One Piece // Leopard Swimsuit // Neutral Scrunchie One Piece // Pink Scrunchie One Piece (Not Pictured)
Jewelry
I was blown away by how many women were wearing full jewelry looks in the pool. I’m talking earring stacks (chunky ones!), layered necklaces, rings, stacks of bracelets—you name it. And honestly? I was impressed. It really elevated the whole poolside vibe. I did wonder what that meant for their tan lines… but fashion must take precedence.
Huggie Earrings Set // Beach Charm Bracelet // Starfish Earrings // Starfish Earrings Less Expensive // Layered Necklace #1 // Layered Necklace #2 // Gold Bamboo Bracelet // Cartier Bracelet // Cartier Dupe #1 & Dupe #2 // Thin Bracelet
Sunglasses
There’s nothing I love more than a trendy pair of sunglasses. The thin gold cat-eye styles I saw at the pool were my absolute favorite.
Links: Gold Frame Cat Eye Sunglasses // Black Square Sunglasses // Black Sunglasses Dupe // Brown Oval Sunglasses // Brown Oval Sunglasses Dupe // Clubmaster Sunglasses // Clubmaster Sunglasses Dupe
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Let’s Chat: Have you ever people-watched your way into a full-blown life reflection? Same. What book or outfit caught your eye recently—and what did it make you think about?
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Let’s Chat: Have you ever people-watched your way into a full-blown life reflection? Same. What book or outfit caught your eye recently—and what did it make you think about?
Related so hard to your Mel Robbin’s theory and now need to read it myself! Loved your notes too 🥰