Girls' Night In - Issue #226: Soft pants summer

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our best recommendations for your downtime
issue 226 ~ week of june 25, 2021

editor's note

Hi and happy Friday !

I found myself in a bit of a frenzied state before our vacation to Charleston last week (our first trip in a while). I couldn't figure out what to wear and pack. What is even in style anymore? Do I still like nap dresses? Can I pull off a crop top as breezily as the Gen Z influencers I follow? Should I just give up and pack leggings and sweats?

I ended up finding a happy-medium: I mostly packed easy, breezy dresses I rented to feel dressed up but still comfortable. I also packed a matching sweatshorts set, which is my answer to still wanting to hold onto the “standby-sweatpants-of-yore” feel while still looking presentable in the summer.

Now that I'm re-emerging back into the world, I'm thinking a lot about clothes, my personal style, and getting dressed. A silver lining of quarantine was saving money I would've otherwise spent on clothes. I mostly wore the same 4 or 5 sweatpants and leggings on rotation, with a pullover on top. “Who needs fashion?!” I thought I cracked the code. I was done with the ol' circus of succumbing to the latest trends and dumping most of my disposable income on them.

Fast forward to now and I'm feeling differently. I'm excited by the prospect of “getting dressed!” After slogging through quarantine, it's thrilling to try on new styles and it’s nice to feel put-together! As far as I can tell, there are no clear-cut style "trends" right now, so anything goes — I'm free to experiment. I'm gravitating towards bold colors, patterns, and prints. A one-shoulder top? Sure. Plaid halter? Say no more.

Most importantly though, it feels like I'm getting dressed for myself and my own enjoyment, not to appease anyone else (or even social media). I needed to go through this period of mostly-isolation to get to a mindset of personal style as truly that: personal, and not performance. Not caring as much what others think. Is getting dressed...fun again?

How are you thinking about getting dressed right now? Is it a challenge to transition out of “soft pants?” Or maybe you haven't? What types of clothes are you gravitating towards? Here are some of our readers’ answers on our IG. Have a great weekend!

— Alisha Ramos, founder/editor at GNI

This week's picks and reads were curated by: Alisha Ramos

weekly picks

ideas for unwinding this weekend

A fun bikini that satisfyingly pairs perfectly with these cups.
Fresh and in-season statement earrings for your Zooms. 🍓🍑
With beach and pool season now in swing, it’s the perfect time to stock up on Stix’s yeast infection care line before you may need it. Delivered to your door and easy to use, these products include probiotics to protect from future infection, treatment options, and testing, so you're not left wondering about an infection (but if you do have questions, Stix has a library full of helpful health resources 🙌). Get 25% off your first order with GNI25 through 7/8 Sponsor
Say no to moldy sponges. Say yes to sponge cake summer.
"I’ve been really struggling to reacquaint myself with waistbands after a year of sweats, but Lucy & Yak’s incredibly comfy corduroy dungarees came into my life and told me I don’t have to. So many colors, so soft, so fun to wear." - Casey McQuiston, bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue and One Last Stop Guest rec
Flipping out (in a good way) about Cara Delevigne's AD home tour. She has a ball pit in her home because...she knows how to live. 🎪
A gorgeous, breezy linen dress that could be dressed down for a coffee date (add sneakers) or dressed up for a wedding (add heels).
A bunch of you mentioned you're shopping for sensible summer shoes. Did you know we curated a whole shop for that? These sandals are popular. 👡
"Understanding my numerology on the Teledipity app has opened up an understanding of my purpose on this planet. It’s been so clarifying for my life’s mission, and having the premium updates is totally worth it. " - Jessamyn Stanley, Body Liberation Advocate, yoga teacher, entrepreneur, and author of YOKE. Guest rec
Calling all bookish readers! Harriets Bookshop in Philly is raising money for their permanent storefront and they're so close.
All I'm wearing these days are bralettes. Here's a simple and soft option in a pretty color.
Bonus laugh: Chips in a bowl truth.

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a snap from my trip — dining al fresco in charleston @ babas

weekly reads

reads to share with the group chat

"What to do if you're feeling especially bad about your body right now." I appreciated this piece and I hope it's helpful for you too. Helpful in the context of shopping and getting dressed. (Vice)
Loved this deep dive by Annie Lowrey on the meteoric, "chilled-out" rise of that one meditation app that's just about everywhere these days. (The Atlantic)
Feeling inspired by this story about Jasmine Marie’s work in bringing breathwork to Black women. (The Cut)
Do you watch TikTok's "kitchen witches?" 🧙‍♀️(Bon Appetit)
Should we all just get rid of the 5-day workweek? (The Atlantic)
Summer plans hack: make no more than two plans for the weekend. *tbh I was already doing this (Vice)
As someone who is firmly not in Gen Z, it was fascinating to me to find that there's a corner of TikTok dedicated to productivity hacks. (Vox)
Thought these portraits were really beautiful and powerful. (The New York Times)
Eavesdropping through a pandemic. (The New Yorker)
Pure joy is this profile of Jasmine Archie, who makes “the best fake cakes on the internet.” 🎂 (Clever)
Related to the above — here's why fake home decor is having a moment. Crocheted grapes! Who knew! (Refinery29)
Controversial: “Am I the only one who hates working from home?” (The Cut)

take action and take care

Ways to take action this week... Read Gender Justice Leadership Program’s Community Report Back zine, a recap on the Spring 2021 legislative session with ways to take action in solidarity with trans youth. Take the Pursue Black Liberation 21-day challenge to build a daily practice of anti-racism centered in Black liberation.

Ways to take care… Read the inspiring stories of the folks on them.’s Now List, a group of LGBTQ+ activists, artists, and community figures honored throughout the month. Visit the Black Trans Travel Fund, an organization supporting financial and material support for just and accessible travel, to donate, request funds, or receive free political education books.

ready for the weekend like...

our resident office pup @otistheyorkiepoo x the new Whiled big tote

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Girls' Night In - Issue #226: Soft pants summer

weekly picks

weekly reads

ready for the weekend like...

Older messages

Issue #225: gnocchi, pillow slides, and summery bevs ☀️

Issue #224: welcome to the first-ever Softies... 🏆

Issue #223: candles, sandals, and summer calendars ☀️

bras, books, and meatloaf for the soul 📚

Issue #221: breads, spreads, and everything in between 🥖

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