Whatever your taste in manicures, summer’s nail trends always involve dialling up the shine a little, and the latest nail look taking over is no exception. In fact, this manicure gleams so brightly, you might want to keep a pair of sunglasses handy.
Enter: Aurora nails.
Iridescent, ethereal, and undeniably shiny, this multidimensional manicure is like having the Northern Lights at your fingertips — and it’s set to take over nail salons this summer.
“Aurora nails are a multidimensional nail art look that has a beautiful iridescence,” explains session manicurist Ami Streets, much like this creation by licensed nail technician Jaimielynn. “It’s called this because it emulates the mesmerizing effect and rainbow-like glow of the Aurora Borealis.”
But between glazed doughnut manicures, cat-eye gels, and chrome finishes, you might be wondering how aurora nails differ. Their appeal? They take shine to the next level.
“Yes, the aurora nail effect is similar to chrome, cat eye, and glazed nails, but the term really describes the finish of the manicure — an iridescent chrome,” explains celebrity nail artist Loi Lien. “The base color can be any shade, but the top coat has to have that iridescent finish.” Think soap nails on steroids and you’re halfway there.
Experts have no doubts that it’s this trademark sheen that makes aurora nails so perfect for summer. “Their light-reflective finish looks stunning in natural sunlight, and the ethereal effect offers a high-impact look with minimal effort,” explains Streets, like these nails by licensed nail technician Cathy.
According to Lien there are a couple of different ways that a nail artist will achieve an aurora manicure — either using an opalescent chrome powder or by incorporating finely cut pieces of Mylar, which is a reflective film that adds multidimensional shine: “This material comes in a variety of shades and can reflect one, two or even three colors depending on the angle you look at it,” explains Lien. The result is an ultra-glossy and glowing manicure that shifts with every movement.
While the whole process may take between one and two hours in the salon, there is a shortcut if you want to pay homage to the look at home: “While the best effects and longest-wearing designs are created using gels and chrome powders, layering pearlescent or iridescent top coats over a color of your choice can add dimension,” says Streets.
Lien says that the base color of your aurora manicure can be switched up depending on your personal taste, and this playful purple color used by nail artist Erika is so fresh and fun.
Why pick one base color when you can have every color of the rainbow? Literally. This bright and beautiful manicure by Tokyo salon 111 Nail is so joyful.
Welcome toMoney Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
Today: a lead designer working who has a $169,000 household income and who spends some of her money this week on zucchini relish for her mother-in-law’s birthday. If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via our online form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email.
Editor’s Note: All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
Occupation: Lead designer Industry: Architecture/design Age: 36 Location: Toronto Salary: $79,000.00 Household Income/Finances Setup: $169,000.00 ($79,000 + $90,000). My partner M. and I aren’t married (yet), but we share a house and have a two-year-old child together. We have a joint account which we both put money in to cover our fixed shared monthly expenses (mortgage, property taxes, utilities, daycare, etc.) but we both still have our own separate bank accounts as well. We’re not very strict on who covers what for some of the things that fluctuate a bit more (groceries, household items, diapers, etc.) but I think in general it usually ends up being pretty even between us. Assets: House: $510,000; joint savings: $3,000; personal savings: $6,600 (includes savings account, TFSA, and RRSP); personal investments: $2,300. Debt: Personal debt: $9,700; mortgage: $470,000. Paycheck Amount (per month): $4,800 Pronouns: She/her
Shared Monthly Expenses
Housing Costs: $2,046 (mortgage payment; M. and I split this). Property Taxes: $279.76 Electricity: $168 Water: $68 (we pay $204 quarterly). Home Insurance: $131.35 Daycare: $440 RESP Contribution: $100
Personal Monthly Expenses
Life Insurance: $32.40 Car Insurance: $156.67 Gas: Averages around $100 (but ranges from $31 to $203 depending on the time of year). Phone Bill: $70.48 RRSP contributions: $100 Debt Payments: $675 (I’ve been paying down my personal line of credit as much as I can; this payment fluctuates slightly month to month, but this is around the average).
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? I always knew I wanted to go to university; I think from the time I was around 12 years old I decided I wanted to be an architect. I was incredibly fortunate that my parents covered the cost of my higher education — they paid for my undergrad tuition and living costs, as well as my graduate tuition. I took out a government loan for my master’s degree so that I did not have to work while I was attending university. Between that money, my savings, and working over the summers I was able to cover my living expenses.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances? My parents were fairly open about money; they both worked and had good paying jobs so we never really had to worry about anything money related growing up. We got a weekly allowance for doing our chores which started when we were quite young. My mom would write us each a check (I have two sisters) for $3 each week and would take us to the bank to deposit it. Beyond setting us up to “save money”, they let us learn about it on our own. We were aware of the cost of things, like going to the movies or buying new clothes, but they never hesitated to give us the things we wanted or asked for.
What was your first job and why did you get it? My first job was a line cook at Papa John’s Pizza. I got it because my sister worked there and they were looking to hire. I was 14, so I was excited about earning my own money. Did you worry about money growing up? My dad was an engineer in the oil industry so his employment did depend on the boom and bust periods. I distinctly remember them having a conversation with me and my sisters one time when my dad was laid off from work: They sat us down and told us we’d only be able to buy the essentials for a while. I’m not sure if it was my age (I was maybe around 8 or 9?) but that gave me a lot of anxiety around money and I had this feeling of stress around spending too much money on things. Even after my dad found new work and things generally went back to normal, I had this fear that we were “over spending”, even though I don’t think I had much of a reference point for what things cost versus what we could afford.
Do you worry about money now? I worry about the debt I’m currently carrying: It’s the first time in my life that I’ve had personal debt that’s not tied to an asset (like my car or the house). When I collected employment insurance while I was on maternity leave it wasn’t quite enough to cover our expenses, so I ended up using some money from my line of credit to make ends meet. It’s not an overwhelming amount, and I know I will get it paid off. In the end, I know we’re very fortunate that both my partner R. and I have incredibly supportive families. If we were ever in serious financial trouble, we definitely have a safety net that would help us out in any way they could. At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net? I became fully financially responsible for myself at age 26 when I graduated from my master’s program. M. and I are both fortunate to have families that would step in financially if we lost our housing or if either of us lost our source of income and we weren’t able to make ends meet.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain. No.
Day One: Sunday
9 a.m. — My partner M. and I trade off getting up early with our son, F., on the weekends; today was my day to sleep in. I wake up, shower, and make a coffee to go with my bagel and cream cheese. I usually get to eat about half the breakfast I make; F. is two years old and always wants bites of whatever we’re having (even though he already ate his own breakfast).
10 a.m. — I only get to drink half my coffee before F. decides it’s time for a walk. We head out while my husband gets some extra sleep after waking up at 5:30 a.m. We end up at our local coffee shop; since I didn’t get to finish my first coffee, I stop to grab a chai latte and a scone for F. His favorite thing now is any kind of treat while we’re out. $11.70
10:10 a.m. — There’s a little market attached to the coffee shop so we talk a walk through there. I found someone selling zucchini relish. My mother-in-law has been searching high and low for it so I grab two jars because her birthday is coming up. $14.69
2:15 p.m. — I heat up some leftovers for lunch; M. made short ribs with mashed potatoes and carrots last night and they make excellent leftovers. He made the effort to go to the butcher for the meat instead of just the grocery store like we usually do, so I don’t want any of it to go to waste.
6:30 p.m. — It’s Sunday and we did our “fancy” recipe last night, so for dinner we see what’s in the pantry and the fridge and decide to make mac and cheese with hot dogs. My son is happy with any kind of noodles so we throw that together with some cherry tomatoes.
Daily Total: $26.39
Day Two: Monday
6:30 a.m. — M. leaves for work at 6:20 a.m.; since my work schedule is the more flexible one, I take care of getting F. up and off to daycare for the day. For the longest time he was waking up at 5:30 a.m. — I’m grateful for the extra hour of sleep he’s giving me in the mornings lately. We get up; F. always has half a bagel and some of whatever fruit we have in the fridge. I make an egg sandwich for myself (or mostly for myself — F. will always have a few bites with ketchup). I’ve been seeing a naturopath to try to get my energy levels back up and she suggested increasing my protein intake at breakfast (but part of me knows this is just my new life with a toddler and no amount of protein will help…).
7:20 a.m. — I usually manage to get F. dropped off at daycare between 7:15 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., depending on how long it takes us to get dressed and out of the house. It’s only a 10-minute drive from our place, so I drop him off and head back to work from home for the day.
12:30 p.m. — I heat up more of the short ribs and potatoes for lunch. M. is not a big fan of leftovers so I always feel like it’s on me to use them up before they go bad. I don’t mind though, when I’m working from home I don’t want to run out just to grab lunch.
2:45 p.m. — I usually try to wrap up what I’m doing by 3 p.m. so I can go pick F. up. I realize I’m very low on gas so I make a note to stop on the way back home.
3:05 p.m. — I need to commute for work in the morning so I can’t put off getting gas any longer. I make sure to stop at the gas station where I get 3 cents off/litre through a promo deal with my bank. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I do freelance work for a designer that’s about 30 minutes away from my house. I know I’m lucky I get to work from home most of the time, but I still don’t enjoy the commute two days a week. $81.92
5 p.m. — I didn’t stop at the grocery store, but I check the freezer and we have a tourtière we can cook for dinner along with a bag of salad that we didn’t eat over the weekend that won’t last much longer anyway. I throw the tourtière in the oven because it takes an hour to cook and F. will be hungry soon.
6:15 p.m. — M. got a promotion in January and his work hours were adjusted so he can leave an hour before he used to. It’s been nice being able to eat dinner together. When he was getting home later I would usually have to cook one dinner for F. and then M. and I would end up eating our dinner after he went to bed, but luckily now we all eat dinner and then F. gets to play for an hour before bedtime.
Daily Total: $81.92
Day Three: Tuesday
6:30 a.m. — We do our usual morning routine — breakfast, get dressed and packed for daycare, load everything and everyone into the car. We make it there for 7:15 a.m. today which is nice because I have a bit of extra work to catch up on before I head to my freelance job for the day.
9:30 a.m. — I work part time for a development company and supplement that income with my freelance work, so I wrap up what I’ve been doing and head to my second job for the rest of the day.
1:15 p.m. — Sometimes the lady I work for will put together a lunch for us. Today she brought down a plate of hummus, pita bread, peppers, olives and pickled turnips. It’s all delicious and I’m grateful not to be eating leftovers again for lunch.
2:15 p.m. — I head out to pick up F. from daycare. I’m a half an hour farther away than I would be if I was working from home so I have to end my work day a little earlier.
3:15 p.m. — I always take F. with me when I go grocery shopping. He loves the store so it’s like free entertainment (well, free except for the price of the groceries) that keeps him occupied for half an hour. We grab stuff to make tacos, a pasta dish with alfredo and salmon, asparagus, and some other staples that we’re out of (mustard, coffee cream, bagels, and yogurt). F. talks me into getting a new flavor of bear paws for his afternoon snacks as well. $61.67
4 p.m. — F. and I get home and unpack the groceries. He decides he wants to go for a walk to the park so we bundle up and head out. He’s walking further and not using the stroller as much, so we’re gone for almost an hour and half.
6 p.m. — We decide to make the tacos for dinner — they’re always quicker to make than I think they will be. M. gets home and we all eat dinner together. After F. goes to bed we do our usual routine picking something to watch and scrolling through our phones. We’re trying not to fall behind on all our shows, so we put on an episode of Severance.
Daily Total: $61.67
Day Four: Wednesday
6:15 a.m. — Even though I wake up at 6:15 a.m., F. decides to sleep in longer than usual and I don’t get him out of his crib until 6:45 a.m. I try to rush through breakfast a little bit and we manage to get to daycare by 7:45 a.m.
8 a.m. — It’s another work from home day today. I do freelance work for a second designer as well, but her workload is fairly light right now so I haven’t had to dedicate as many hours for her as I usually do. It’s been a lot of work mentally to juggle schedules for essentially three jobs, but I’ve felt the difference with the extra income so it’s definitely been worth it in the end. Today is a bit of a slow day, but I’ve learned to enjoy those whenever they come around.
12 p.m. — I finish off the last of our short rib leftovers (I don’t think they were going to be edible for much longer anyway). They’re still delicious but I’m glad they’ll be gone after today.
2:15 p.m. — Since I don’t have an overwhelming amount of work to keep on top of at the moment, I end my work day a little earlier. I’ve been watching The Newsroom; it’s one of the few shows M. and I aren’t watching together so I can put on an episode without him and not feel guilty about it. I watch an episode and fold some laundry so I can still feel like I’m accomplishing something. I always find it hard to just relax in the middle of a work day even when I don’t have anything I need to get done.
3:15 p.m. — I pick F. up from daycare and we entertain ourselves at home until it’s time to cook dinner. We opt for the pasta dish with salmon for dinner; I mix in some frozen broccoli to round out the meal.
8 p.m. — After getting F. to bed for the night we put on an episode of Reacher. We know it’s not the best television out there, but it’s easy to watch and keeps us entertained.
Daily Total: $0
Day Five: Thursday
5:30 a.m. — F. wakes up early today — he must’ve heard M. getting up for his shower. I manage to convince him to go back to sleep (with the help of his pacifier, even though we’ve been trying to get rid of it completely), but there’s no hope of me falling back asleep so I get up for the day. The pacifier keeps him asleep until his usual wake up around 6:30 a.m., we get organized for the day and make it to daycare at 7:15 a.m.
7:30 a.m. — I get organized for the day and answer a few emails before I head out at 9:30 a.m.
2:15 p.m. — We worked through lunch today, so I stop at Wendy’s on my way to pick up F. from daycare. I try not to buy lunch too often but I love a fast food burger every once in a while — I get fries and a root beer to go with it. $12.63
2:30 p.m. — I’m commuting for a meeting with a client tomorrow, and I have to print out our proposal package because Staples won’t be open when I head out in the morning. I print three copies and then go pick F. up from daycare. $7.66
6 p.m. — I ate lunch late so I’m not hungry for dinner at all. I heat up leftover noodles and peas for F. and convince M. to order takeout for ourselves after he goes to bed.
8 p.m. — After F. goes to bed, we order from a local pub through Uber Eats. We’ve been trying to cut back on the amount of takeout we do, but we still usually end up ordering dinner at least once a week. I get a buffalo chicken wrap with a side salad; M. is allergic to chicken so whenever we do take out I usually get it, since it’s not something I cook regularly just for myself. He gets a steak sandwich with fries (I had fries for lunch so I didn’t want to have them again, but as soon as I see M.’s fries I regret my decision). Luckily he lets me eat a few. $46.04
Daily Total: $66.33
Day Six: Friday
6:30 a.m. — After a few days slightly off schedule, F. is back to his regular wakeup time. We get up, eat breakfast, and get dressed. After I drop him off I’ll just head straight to my meeting, so I pack up all my work stuff as well. I never know what traffic is going to be like so I like to leave extra time for the commute (it’s usually just under two hours).
10 a.m. — There’s an accident on my route which slows me down, but I get there with lots of time to spare. We’re meeting our client at a coffee shop so I grab a coffee when I get there. Since I’m early, I get a piece of banana bread to eat before everyone else arrives. $13.13
1:30 p.m. — Our meeting goes well and I stay a little longer to review a few other things in person with my colleague. I end up leaving around 1:30 p.m.; I haven’t eaten lunch yet but traffic on the way back isn’t great either and I don’t want to be too late picking up F. I also hate when I don’t plan well enough and have to buy lunch two days in a row, so even though I know I’ll be hungry, I skip getting anything for lunch.
3:30 p.m. — I’m a little late picking up F. from daycare, but at least it’s Friday so we can just head home and relax for the weekend. He wants a snack when we get home (and I’m starving), so we share some hummus with veggie straws.
6 p.m. — F. has a bath and then we get dinner ready. I didn’t grab anything fresh so we pull out a frozen lasagne and luckily we still have the asparagus from our grocery shopping earlier in the week. I immediately regret doing F.’s bath before dinner when he ends up with lasagne from ear to ear. But we get him cleaned up and have time to relax for an hour before getting him off to bed.
8:30 p.m. — Bedtime has been slowly taking longer and longer but F. finally falls asleep and we make it downstairs around 8:30 p.m. There’s a hockey game on tonight that M. wants to watch, so we put that on and I mostly scroll through my phone until I feel like I’ve stayed up late enough for an adult bedtime.
Daily Total: $13.13
Day Seven: Saturday
6:30 a.m. — It’s Saturday, and my weekend day to get up with F. After I’m unsuccessful at convincing him to sleep a bit extra in our bed, I finally cave and we go downstairs for breakfast while my partner sleeps in.
9 a.m. — F. and I hang out in the living room until M. wakes up around 9 a.m. Usually I would try to get a bit more sleep in, but I’m meeting a friend for lunch so I forgo my usual morning nap so that I have enough time to get ready. M. and F. head out for a morning walk and I’m grateful to have the house to myself while I get ready.
12 p.m. — I meet my friend for lunch at a Mexican restaurant that’s halfway between our houses. We both have toddlers so it feels like it takes us months to arrange any sort of get together. We have so much to catch up on that we’re there for almost three hours. We share a bunch of appetizers and split the bill. $75.26
6 p.m. — I ate lunch late and M. said he was snacking all day, so neither of us was hungry for a big dinner. F. is happy with leftover lasagne and frozen peas so he eats, and decides he wants to do a bath again before bed.
Daily Total: $75.26
The Breakdown
Conclusion
“Food and drink is generally our largest spending category on an average week, so looking over the figures, they’re not surprising. We’re lucky that we’re able to walk through the grocery store and buy what we like without having to worry too much about the cost each week. I feel like the area we can cut back on right now would be the amount we eat out — and when we have food at home that we enjoy, it always makes that decision an easier one. I started tracking our monthly expenses about two years ago so that I could set up a realistic budget for myself. It’s been a good way for me to feel more in control of our money and start to intentionally save for some of the things we want to do in the future without having to sacrifice the things we enjoy on a more day-to-day basis.”
Money Diaries are meant to reflect an individual’s experience and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29’s point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more Money Diaries, click here.
Do you have a Money Diary you’d like to share? Submit it with us here.
Have questions about how to submit or our publishing process? Read our Money Diaries FAQ doc here or email us here.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Geminis are the ones who get things done! The season from May 20th to June 20th gives us the chance to complete projects due to our gusto and energy. After all, the Twin Star allows us to take on the workload of two people and get it done on time, allowing us to balance our professional and private realms. Although it seems impossible — the motto of Gemini is “I’m possible” — they don’t let anything stand in their way (except for themselves). The Gemini’s dynamics, duality, and directness are the perfect way to end spring because we can move into summer knowing that we did all we could and rocked it.
The mutable sign is a shapeshifter in that it takes on the form of the energy surrounding it. They transform to suit their surroundings and adapt accordingly. This makes Gemini super absorbent and sensitive. I know you’re probably debating whether that statement is true — but yes, Gemini has a soft side regarding passion projects and those they love. Gemini will do anything for a friend in need, as long as they know the full scope of the situation and aren’t being played a fool. The Mercurial sign is the trickster, so when the roles are reversed, it’s hard for the air sign to contemplate how someone pulled the wool over their eyes.
We’ll be searching for an intellectual connection when it comes to love. Being around an S.O./crush who makes us think is par for the course and wants to discuss literature, politics, and ethics. Communication and debate will be our temporary love language. The more intense the conversation gets, the more heated our loins will become — don’t take matters to an extreme level to ensure that a moment doesn’t become anything more. The playfulness of Gemini loves to zing anyone and anytime.
It can sometimes seem that Gemini is the most hated sign on the internet. The memes alone can send anyone into a dizzy state. Geminis have a rep for being liars, but that isn’t wholly true. First of all, everyone, no matter what sign you are, can lie, cheat, and steal. No one is immune from human temptation. Because Gemini is the most open about their endeavors and laughs about it, they get categorized in that box. Also, because Gemini is a wordsmith, they’ll describe situations with flowery prose, which can be confusing. Don’t get me wrong, gossip reigns high, so try to hush on spilling the tea. There are good attributes to Gemini: The sign is a ride-or-die pal, clever, quick-witted, and accepting. They’ll never judge anyone — except themselves because Gemini strives for perfection within and holds themselves to a high standard.
All of this can be applied to the month ahead. The only caveat is that we should be aware of the number of tasks we take on, leaving space to ensure we can also rest comfortably. Maintaining a chill vibe is essential because there is a lot of planetary action. This year, Saturn switches signs and enters Aries on May 24th for the first time since 1996. Saturn in Aries pushes us to boss up and pursue personal visions. Then, Jupiter moves into Cancer on June 9th. The last time Jupiter walked with the crabs was 2013. It’ll evolve our mindset and push us out of our comfort zone.
As you can see, Gemini season is a fantastic time to thrive. Lean into the last month of spring with a positive attitude, and you’ll embark on greatness.
Important Dates For Gemini Season:
May 20th: The sun enters Gemini, cultivating a month of optimism and cattiness.
May 24th: Saturn moves into Aries, adding desire to our goals.
May 25th: Mercury glides into Gemini, making communication easy and fluid.
May 26th: The New Moon in Gemini is a chance to start fresh and inspire the community.
June 6th: Venus walks into Taurus, helping us commit to those we love and evoke creativity.
June 8th: Mercury swims into Cancer, allowing us to lean into our intuition.
June 9th: Jupiter travels into Cancer, advancing our mindset and emotions.
June 11th: The Full Moon in Sagittarius urges us to seek adventure and explore the world.
June 15th: Jupiter in Cancer squares Saturn in Aries, making us reassess our plans for the future.
June 17th: Mars begins to take action in Virgo, implementing practicality in how we take action.
June 18th: Jupiter in Cancer squares Neptune in Aries, heightening our passions.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Summer dressing hits different — breezy dresses, crisp white tops, and nautical-inspired staples, from poplin button-downs to boat shoes (à la the trending fisherman aesthetic), are simply everything. Add in this season’s sandal lineup (Flip-flops! Slides! Kitten heels!) and a color palette spanning butter yellow to powder pink — plus cheery prints like polka dots and stripes — and it’s officially time to refresh the rotation.
Ever stand in front of your jam-packed wardrobe, staring at more than enough clothing options, and think: I have nothing to wear? Same. But perhaps the issue isn’t that you’re out of viable outfit choices. You just need a fresh dose of inspiration — say: outfits for hot weather, perhaps — to help you see your wardrobe in a new way. That’s where Outfit Dump comes in. We supply you with enough ideas to fuel your style until the next drop comes along.
Memorial Day weekend is drawing near, ready to kick off the unofficial start to summer. And what’s the only thing better than the long, leisurely, hazy days of summer? Summer vacation season, when we get to enjoy all of those things in gorgeous settings removed from the reality of our 9-to-5s.
When it comes to stuffing your suitcase with summer vacation outfits, there’s a lot to consider: What’s on the itinerary? Are you in need of looks that will last you day to night, or will you have time for midday outfit changes? What is *your* travel style? Will you be dressing for comfort? Or channeling the latest fashion trends (the aspirational European summer aesthetic, for example) that feel out of place in your regular life?
It’s only once you answer all of these questions that the packing (and outfit planning) can start. That’s where we come in. We’ve rounded up some of the best inspo-worthy looks — from Cowboy Carter-esque Western ’fits to milkmaid dresses, trendy butter yellow pieces, and more — from our IG feeds to help get your fashion creativity going. Keep scrolling for some summer vacation outfit ideas.
Vacation outfit idea: boho vibes
Take things easy this summer with a boho-inspired look. Opt for a classic flowy white top, like the scallop-trimmed top seen here, or go all-in with airy pieces covered in ruffles and fringe. A printed scarf, tied around your head for sun protection, is the perfect finishing touch.
Vacation outfit idea: European summer aesthetic
The European summer aesthetic is still going strong for summer 2025. Think oversized button-up shirts (or shirt dresses, as seen here), striped patterns, tailored pieces, top-handle bags, and anything else that might make for an elevated outfit you’d see on the streets of, say, Cannes or Rome.
Vacation outfit idea: denim maxi skirt
Keep your denim maxi skirt warm-weather appropriate and casual by styling it with a cropped top and comfy shoes of your choosing.
Vacation outfit idea: dress with cut-outs
A maxi dress with cut-outs at the hips and back will fit right in at any vacation destination, whether you’re strolling on the beach or checking out the local restaurants after a day of exploring.
Vacation outfit idea: strapless dress
A beach-ready strapless dress belongs in your vacation suitcase — especially if your travels call for a wedding guest dress.
Vacation outfit idea: printed skirt
Getting dressed in summer doesn’t have to be complicated. Build your outfit around a hot-weather-friendly skirt with a bold print — it won’t need much more than a white tank and a pair of sandals.
Vacation outfit idea: printed dress
Or try a slinky maxi dress with statement-making print instead of a skirt. Embrace the adventure of travel by opting for an eclectic pattern you might not otherwise wear — leave the safe, classic prints for home.
Vacation outfit idea: romper
In search of style and comfort? Look no further than a one-and-done romper. We love the trendy polka-dot print pictured here, but play to your personality with any range of colors and prints.
Vacation outfit idea: pretty lace
Lacy, lingerie-esque pieces have been on-trend for a while now, which makes your summer holiday the time to revisit the style or jump on board if you haven’t already. Add a pretty white floral embellishment and you’re ready for whatever the day ahead holds.
Vacation outfit idea: elevated halter dress
Dress up your everyday beachwear with a more sophisticated take on a summer classic. This soft yellow tweed halter dress leans into the still-popular butter yellow trend.
Proof that it’s possible to combine multiple trends without doing too much, this holiday-ready look combines some summer favorites: see-through layers, crochet fabrics, and ballet pumps.
Vacation outfit idea: breezy whites
Crisp, breezy white fabrics are a summertime staple every season for a reason. This matching set helps the look feel more put-together.
Vacation outfit idea: chic sun protection
Consider this floral maxi dress and not-too-big hat your sign that protecting yourself from the sun’s rays can be fashionable. Here at Refinery29, we’re in agreement that sun protection is always chic.
Vacation outfit idea: mix-and-match swimwear
Mix and match your fave swimsuit with a contrasting coverup to add a playful element to your poolside outfit.
Vacation outfit idea: summer black
Edgy, cool shades of black for summer on a scorching hot beach? You bet.
Vacation outfit idea: drop-waist dresses
Drop-waist dresses are sticking around for another season. We love the cinched bustier on this piece, which can be dressed up or down depending on how you choose to style it.
Vacation outfit idea: bold neons
Shine as bright as the summer sun and keep the good vibes going in head-to-toe neon.
Vacation outfit idea: butter yellow
Pick almost any trend and you’ll instantly find it in a delicious butter yellow. All that will be left for you to do is bask in the inevitable compliments that come rolling in.
Vacation outfit idea: ultra casual
Nothing says “I’m on holiday and have zero responsibilities for a week” like an oversized graphic tee and a bag big enough to fit the entire contents of your suitcase.
Vacation outfit idea: denim on denim
Building on the Western trend, with cowboy boots and hats galore, double denim is bigger than ever. Make like a fashion insider and play with different shapes and textures, and consider yourself Cowboy Carter ready.
Vacation outfit idea: keep it sporty
It may not be the summer of Challengers, but if the sporty look was ever good enough for Zendaya… This season, keep it simple with a tennis skirt and fitted tank.
Vacation outfit idea: jorts
Last year, it was all about the Bermuda shorts. This year, it’s all about the jort. Play with shape and proportion by pairing your favorite oversized jean shorts with a fitted top.
Vacation outfit idea: denim maxi skirt
Denim maxi skirts resurfaced last summer and still reign supreme. Keep things weather-appropriate and casual by styling yours with a white tank top and a pair of cute yet functional trainers.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Fair warning: There’s a lot to sort through. So, we’ve made it our mission to curate the best Anthropologie dresses available now — including viral faves like the Tobi and Somerset silhouettes.
We’ve combed through the site from top to bottom and picked the best of the best in a rainbow of hues and lengths. Everything from slinky silk slips to work-appropriate shirt dresses awaits ahead, so you might want to make room in your closet (and on your packing list).
DashDividers_1_500x100
The Tobi Dress
It’s no wonder Exquise’s Tobie dress has developed a cult following. Between the waist-cinching hourglass silhouette, shirting-inspired collar, full skirt, and batwing-like sleeves, this might be the perfect midi. It’s super versatile, whether you’re dressing for work or the weekend, and now comes in a range of prints, patterns, colors, and versions: mini, denim, jumpsuit, and blouse.
DashDividers_1_500x100
The Somerset Dress
Before the Tobie, there was the Somerset — a true Anthropologie staple that hasn’t lost an ounce of its charm. It started as another waist-cinching cotton maxi with a milkmaid-inspired cut: Nipped-in waist, panelled skirt, and cap sleeves. Since then, it’s been reimagined in velvet, denim, and across pants, jumpsuits, tops, and skirts (Anthro even has a dedicated Somerset shop). For summer, you’ll find the style in breathable linen, classic florals, mini rompers, strapless styles, and eyelet embroidery.
DashDividers_1_500x100
Anthropologie Petite Dresses
Calling all petites: get yourself to Anthropologie stat. The retailer has a dedicated petite shop, packed with stylish options — including many of the same designs available in standard sizing, especially when it comes to dresses. There were almost too many to choose from!
Do you have a wedding to attend this summer? Anthropologie’s dress shop can solve just about any guest-dressing dilemma, especially for formal events.
DashDividers_1_500x100
Anthropologie Vacation Dresses
With vibrant colors, bold prints, and breezy cuts, these dresses were made for the summer. Whether you’re headed beachside or to a cocktail bar, these picks go the distance — no sweat.
DashDividers_1_500x100
Anthropologie Butter Yellow Dresses
The color du jour? Soft, sunny butter yellow. It complements every skin tone and pairs seamlessly with both neutrals and brights. Think of it as wearable sunshine — and yes, we’re obsessed.
DashDividers_1_500x100
Anthropologie Polka Dot Dresses
Polka dots are a forever classic, but this season, they feel fresher than ever. At Anthropologie, you’ll find them on sheer mesh, cascading ruffles, and bubble-hem minis that tap the moment without losing their timeless charm.
DashDividers_1_500x100
Anthropologie Bubble Hem Dresses
It’s the season of the bubble hem. These puffed-up minis, midis, and maxis bring all the drama — and we’re here for every sculptural and flouncy take.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
