Chasing The Cool of Tie-Dye Girl

Shopping with a tinge of summer nostalgia.

Do the words “yo, tie-dye girl” mean anything to you? I first saw The Parent Trap when I was seven, and quickly that phrase became an inside joke between my sister and I. Like the main character Hallie, I was from Northern California (I even visited her house from the movie once), and seeing her arrive at a wooded getaway, dressed in denim and toting a big yellow duffel I saw a bit of myself. I begged my parents for my own chance to go to sleep away camp and meet some aloof teen bestie in a tie-dye tee.

Now, that summer is in full swing, I’ve been feeling particularly nostalgic for the summers I spent bouncing between musical camp, science camp, circus camp (where I took unicycling and tightrope walking, I’m not kidding), sailing camp — any number of adventures that defined my tween and teenage years. I was busy developing summer crushes, swapping lanyards with new friends, and trying my hand at archery or canoeing. When fall came, I’d send letters to my new pen pals for a few months, but our correspondence would always fizzle once we’d settled back into real life. Camp never felt like real life, it felt like freedom.

While adulthood means an end to summers free of obligation, this time of year still holds onto some of its original magic. Not infrequently, I’ll ditch desk-dom early on a Friday afternoon and spend the weekend upstate sleeping with the windows open, hiking, and swimming — my own little act of adult rebellion. Back in 2020, my friend Veronique at Elle wrote about the VSCO girl for the magazine, and chatted to me for the piece.

“A playful, tomboyish affect is trending, even among adults. You can see it with Instagrammers like Aemilia Madden, a tie-dye-loving fashion editor who favors the same Birkenstock style as her dad.”

I also chatted to

Anny Choi

back when she was at Vogue in 2019 about how to throw a tie-dye party. So you can see, I’ve been dressing in pursuit of tie-dye girl for a long, long time.

A little camp-core from the comfort of my own home.

While I’ve still constructed a wardrobe of low-key outdoorsy staples, I’ve been playing with some recent styling ideas and adding some newbies to the closet. For your enjoyment (in addition to my own), here’s some shopping to get us all in the mood to sit around the campfire and enjoy some s’mores before September rolls around:

Cord jewelry, as inspired by Miu Miu and Dorsey, encapsulates some of the easy luxury I aspire to. There’s a fanciness without feeling overly fussy, and it reminds me of the friendship bracelets I used to painstakingly work on.

James Paracord Bracelet ($295)

Mentioned in a previous newsletter, but in addition to my favorite Donni linen pants ($165), these tie-pants from Brooke Callahan are a new go-to of mine in Chocolate brown. They’re made by hand in LA, and according to the NYT are “pants that show you’re in the know” however important that may be to you. I will note that with the wrong styling they can skew a bit scrubs-adjacent, but I like them with a white tank (see below) or something lacy like a cropped slip worn over the top.

Brooke Callahan Tie Pants ($155)

Over the last few years, I’ve amassed any number of white ribbed tanks and in doing so have begun to hone in one what makes one great. It can’t be too thin or too stretchy, I prefer something with a bit of heft, and the sexiest of white tanks are ones with a racerback shape that sits on the collarbone, like this one from Amo Denim.

Amo Denim Long Rip White Tank ($85)

Overalls — whether long like these from Alex Mill or a shorts version (mine are thrifted from The Gap - similar here for $25) are equal parts nostalgic and practical. I find them to be supremely comfortable and easy to throw on over a swimsuit.

Alex Mill Overalls ($245)

The perfect summer shoe for lounging outdoors (I own the sandal too and tend to swap between them all summer). Easy to kick off when I hop into the hammock to read or pop into the house to refill my drink.

Birkenstock Clog ($169)

Now (L) and Then (R)

Back in college, my go-to scent was Escada Island Kiss, which I spritz on vigorously before I went out with my friends. It made me feel vibrant! Alive! It was fruity and tropical. I think my ideal summer scent hasn’t actually evolved too much — there’s something powerful about a smell that makes you want to go out and party. Now, I go for something that feels equally feral but a little spicier and more evolved.

Loewe Paula’s Ibiza Eau du Toilette ($150)

As the owner of way too many canvas totes and someone who really does appreciate the durability of a classic boat and tote, this woven metallic number is a happy hybrid between something casual and something a bit dressier.

J.Crew Metallic Tote ($106)

When I was in Venice a few months ago I popped into the Prada store to try on the little wire-rim sunglasses I’d been seeing everywhere. Unfortunately, as someone with a big head and wide eyes — they were not for me. Instead, I’m more inclined to try these sports sunnies.

Miu Miu Flat Top Sunglasses (on sale for $375)

My most recent eBay purchase was an early-2000s suede tie-waist belt, which I’ve been wearing over floaty white skirts or summery dresses.

Claire’s Suede Belt ($30)

I discovered Hades Shop researching a story for The Cut this winter about bonnets, but I’m smitten with the collab they’ve created with Tilda Swinton including this funky sweater and a skirt with Tilda’s face on it.

Hades Tilda Sweater ($418)

A lovely reader asked me about my thoughts on the slim sneakers trend and I have to say, I love swapping between a few colorful pairs during summer instead of sticking to boring black or white.

Puma Speedcat ($100)

When it’s too hot for a true jacket, I like the look of a comfy button-down thrown on over sport shorts and a tank, or styled back to overalls.

Bode Jonas Shirt ($685)

Over the last few summers I’ve picked up a habit of buying vintage slip dresses from yard sales as a summer outfit staple that I can throw over a swimsuit or wear with a button-down to dinner.

Harling Ross Anton

’s collab with If Only If is a favorite modern alternative.

If Only If Edie ($158)

Summer camp-inspired styling wouldn’t be complete without a pair of sporty shorts for hiking or lounging around. I swap between silky Adidas shorts and classic Nike Tempos ($32).

Adidas Pinstripe Shorts ($40)

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