style sessions: spring break three ways
a style guide for every kind of spring break. whether you're heading out or staying in, here's your edit 🌴 ⛰️ 🛫 ✨
Not that I’m keeping track, but we are eleven short days from daylight savings and 7:00 PM sunsets – it’s quite literally the final countdown. Everywhere I look, spring is beginning to make an appearance in Seattle. Sunshine is beginning to warm cool mornings, and cherry blossoms are beginning to show on trees everywhere I look.
In the spirit of “we survived winter with a toddler and a newborn”, we are headed out on a family trip to the beach with both kids shortly. I’ve been in full on planning mode for the last few weeks – I quite literally cannot wait to defrost on the beach, build a few sandcastles, and finally have the opportunity to wear something besides lounge sets, xl sweaters and leggings. Aaaaaand as per usual, I’ve got a whole mood board going, mentally preparing to pack my bag for weeks.
If you’ve been around a while, you might know that styling challenges are basically one of my love languages. There is something about the specific puzzle of this person, this occasion, this constraint that I find completely irresistible. It’s a series I’ve done a few times here on the newsletter, but never quite as frequently as I’d like. So, when the opportunity came up to partner with Left on Friday (my go-to swimwear brand since 2023) for a spring break guide, I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough.
Without further ado: a style session for three spring break scenarios with three completely different vibes. Whether you’re headed somewhere tropical, planning an outdoorsy adventure, or making the most of a staycation close to home – I’ve got you.
Find your trip, and let’s get to it.
Xx
This post was created in partnership with Left on Friday. Their colorful, mix and match suits are made with an insanely comfortable fit, smoothing fabric that holds up whether it’s wet or dry, and fits that stay put no matter the activity. LoF has been my go-to swimwear brand since 2023; comfy enough for waterskiing at the cabin, swimming in an alpine lake, or chasing my kids around at the beach, with high quality materials that last.
The vision: We’re going full defrost mode. You’ve been in the water twice and it’s not even noon. You’ve got a half finished book face down on your towel, a coconut somewhere nearby, and absolutely zero agenda besides soaking up all the vitamin d you’re deficient in. We’re sunkissed, a little salty, and deeply unbothered.
The details: I’m working with sandy neutrals, baby blues and navy, and the kind of sun-washed white linen that looks great no matter how wrinkled it gets. We’ve got a few pops of color, effortless silhouettes that flow, and layers that work as hard at 10 am on the sand as they do at 7 pm over dinner.
My 3x3x3inspired packing list:
2 Swimsuits: Left on Friday Sunday Top & Hi Hi Bottom (in blue skies blue) and the Sunday Suit (in varsity navy). With one two-piece and one one-piece in coordinating colors, I can mix and match endlessly depending on the day
3 Tops: Two oversized linen and/or cotton button downs, one white, one baby blue , one athletic tank
3 Bottoms: One pair wide leg linen pants, one pair pull on linen shorts, one pair athletic shorts
3 Dresses: One simple linen sundress, one solid color flowy dress, one bold & colorful dress
2-3 Shoes: leather sandals, dressy sandals, athletic sneakers
Accessories: sunnies, packable hat,
The vision: Crisp air, big views, that very specific late winter / early spring feeling where it’s cold in the shade, almost-too-warm in the sun. We’re talking end-of-season skiing, or the first hikes of the year with snow still on the ground. It’s cozy but still invigorating – hours outside with chilled cheeks, followed by late nights with good company.
The details: We’re working with forest green, oatmeal, faded denim and rust - early, grounded, and a liiiiiittle cinematic against a mountain or lake background. The key here is texture for the transition from winter to spring: cozy fleeces, broken-in denim, comfortable wool layered over effortless cotton. Pieces that can carry you through an early morning hike to drinks around a campfire without missing a beat.
Pieces to build around:
Anchor layers: oversized fleece, fleece or insulated vest or quilted jacket
Bottoms: your softest pull on barrel or straight leg jeans, leggings or wool baselayers for colder days
Tops: long sleeve wool or thermal tops, oversize sweater, simple crewneck long sleeve t-shirt
Shoes: trail ready sneakers or waterproof boots, slip ons for lounging around
Bag: double duty crossbody (or this tiny grab and go guy!)
Extras: wool beanie, baseball cap, cozy wool socks
The vision: Let’s be real: maybe you’re trying to get some R&R on a budget or maybe the kid’s spring break doesn’t line up with any planned trips and you’re staring down some extended time at home. Either way, we’re going into a local reset believing in the aspirational: unhurried mornings, farmers market runs, finally tackling that project you’ve been putting off, or grabbing lunch or a playdate with someone you’ve been meaning to catch up with. We’re recharging, reorganizing, and reconnecting.
The details: The goal here is keeping it low key, but not low effort - looking like you put yourself together without it feeling like work. Think early spring in palette form: soft white, sage green, butter yellow, baby blue, or a peachy pink. Prioritize comfort with simple knits, effortless cotton, and layers you can add and shed as the day warms up. Nothing fussy and nothing that requires too much thought so you’re ready for the day whether you’re organizing your closet or wrangling toddlers on the playground.
Pieces to build around:
Foundation: Matching sets (love this one in sky blue or this one in butter yellow!) or coordinated pajamas (I love this set postpartum, or this one for warmer months!)
Layers: a soft knit cardigan or oversized sweatshirt
Tops: simple tee, striped button down, or tie front blouse
Bottoms: straight leg or barrel jeans, pull on trousers or track pants
Shoes: chunky sneakers, colorful sneakers or simple sandals
Accessories: colorful canvas tote, oversized crossbody bag (love the color on this one!) & funky sunglasses
I’ll be honest – putting this together made me as excited for our “staycation” that I’ll be doing during my son’s school break in April as I am for our big trip to the beach – something about planning with intention makes things feel so much more special even when you’re not going anywhere but the zoo and the library!
So tell me – what’s on your calendar this spring? Heading somewhere warm, escaping to the mountains, or making the most of being right where you are? I’d love to hear what you’re planning or even just daydreaming about (and, as always, if you have a specific styling conundrum, give a shout!)
The beach trip 😍😍😍