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Help! Everyone I know is summering in Europe! Or at least it feels that way. It seems like every time I open social media, somebody new is devouring a plate of fresh pasta or taking a dip in the Mediterranean, and all I can do is watch with jealousy from 6,000-plus miles away. But at least I know I’m not alone in my FOMO. A new TikTok trend advocates dressing for the vacation you want, not the vacation you have. Enter Tomato Girl Summer.
Dedicated to languid days in seaside villas, Tomato Girl Summer encourages the non-voyagers to cosplay a vacation to Southern Europe, particularly Italy. (The fruit in the name refers not only to its popularity in regional cuisine but also to the color of the season.) Linen, silk, cotton, eyelet, wicker, gingham, sun-bleached white, and, of course, tomato red are all on the table. Breezy skirts, flowing dresses, airy button-downs, silk scarves, soft leather sandals, and oversized glasses are encouraged. Although the trend is mainly gaining traction among regular folks, even celebrities are tapping into a similar mood: Kylie Jenner Instagrammed an airy white two-piece set with a woven bag from her own backyard, Billie Eilish and Hailey Bieber both tested out bold red, and Addison Rae even sported some tomato-print briefs.
Tomato Girl Summer is not about adopting a strict uniform but rather an aura of leisure that comes with a moneyed self-assuredness. At first I admittedly thought the trend was a ridiculous rebrand of la dolce vita. But as a Gen Z’er myself, I can’t help but empathize with the tens of millions of my peers who have tuned into the Tomato Girl lifestyle on social media. Whether or not the reality of a luxe Italian vacation is in the cards (or the bank account), the fantasy is within reach.
But can I personally achieve this nonchalance just by dressing the part as I go about my day-to-day? I’m something of an anti–Tomato Girl. I’m not terribly laid-back, and my personal style is more Italian widow than Italian gallivanter. But being a Tomato Girl is just as much a mindset: a self-delusion that real life can be a holiday, even when you’re stuck at home. Perhaps a vacation from my normal wardrobe is just what I need. Or at least, like in the case of my fellow Tomato Girls, it’s what will have to do for now.
Day 1
Today I’m wearing a tiered white cotton maxiskirt that I bought on Depop. It seems like everyone on earth owns this skirt and for good reason. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and creates lots of movement. I usually pair it with a white tank top, but since I’m a Tomato Girl now, I opt for a red floral scarf that I thrifted when I studied abroad in London. The only thing to account for with a scarf top is the potential of a scandalous wardrobe malfunction, but a Tomato Girl doesn’t concern herself with such corporeal worries. However if you don’t have as much faith in the universe (or your knot-tying skills), you can pop on a pair of pasties or sub in a different, more secure top.
The look isn’t complete yet because I need to accessorize. Nothing complements the rich Italian color palette like some gold jewelry, so I layer on some thick gold hoops and bangles in addition to the necklace I wear every day. I’m meeting my friend Hanna for dinner and a movie, so I slip on my tan sandals and head over. I beat her to the restaurant and grab a beer while I wait. “Cute top!” the bartender says.
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Day 2
I always dress up on bad days in an attempt to trick myself into feeling better, and today is no exception. For day two of Tomato Girl Summer, I wore a raw-hem white button-down and my Lisa Says Gah Robyn jeans. Printed with all the staples of a photo-worthy summertime picnic (baguettes, grapes, tinned fish, lemons, olives, tomatoes—obviously), these jeans—and much of Lisa Says Gah’s whimsical, food-centric pieces—are some of the original inspirations of the trend. My mom and I meet our friend Jacki for lunch at an (apparently very authentic) Italian spot, Vivoli, and she immediately compliments my outfit. I won’t lie, having an impromptu iPhone photo shoot in public is a personal nightmare, but I try to embrace my inner Tomato Girl and pretend I’m in Positano instead of a West Hollywood strip mall.
Perhaps I wouldn’t have this problem strolling along the shores of Lake Como, but walking down Sunset Boulevard in 90-plus-degree heat, I’m definitely feeling bogged down by the weight of my clothes. I would’ve fared much better with a lighter fabric like linen or the Lisa Says Gah Evan shorts, which come in the same fabulous pattern as the Robyn jeans.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try, I’m just not feeling like a Tomato Girl today. On top of the heat, I’m dealing with a nasty vertigo spell, and I’m not able to style my way out of the nausea and disorientation. A reminder that even our most meticulously scheduled vacations don’t always go as planned!
Day 3
It’s another scorcher, so I opted for Banana Republic’s Esme dress, which I recently had altered to remove the sleeves. White and embroidered with a removable slip, this is my favorite dress at the moment since it’s embellished but practical for the summer heat. Since it’s the last day of my Tomato Girl Summer, I decided to lean hard into the look, going full Jennifer Coolidge as Tanya McQuoid as Monica Vitti in The White Lotus (hopefully minus the part where she dies trying to jump off a boat in Lucite heels). I cover my head with my tomato-hued scarf from day one and add my oversized Gucci sunglasses for an extra sprinkle of drama.
I’m making dinner for my friend Grant tonight, so I grab my wicker tote and head to the farmers market to pick up some ingredients. It’s early in the morning, and most of the other patrons are fresh off their crack-of-dawn Pilates classes. I can’t help but feel self-conscious, sensing the crowd of spandex-clad organic-produce fiends bore holes into the back of my scarf. Thankfully I’m put at ease by the sight of some fellow TGS comrades (whether they know it or not): women dressed in silk-blend palazzo pants, linen button-downs, and straw hats.
I am a firm believer in faking it till you make it, so I go about my shopping as normal, as if I too were in head-to-toe athleisure. While I was originally leery about ephemeral trends with quirky nonsensical names, I do appreciate that this one pushed me out of my comfort zone. In fact, I even enjoyed manufacturing a reason to get all dressed up, even for a non-occasion like going to the grocery store. Maybe it’s the delusion of Tomato Girl Summer coursing through my veins, but I’ve decided that if you’re overdressed, others will wonder if they missed the memo—not vice versa.
