Hot-Weather Strategies

Hi friend,

Times may change, but telling moms they’re doing it all wrong? That’s forever. This summer, the discourse revolves around how parents should be architecting a “‘90s summer” for their children.

Instead of dropping your kids off at camp, the argument goes, you should let them have an unscheduled summer break. Obviously this is much easier if one parent is at home and/or doesn’t need to work all day. (Also, for many people, this isn’t a fad as much as it is a necessity.)

Part of this is pure, uncut nostalgia. A memory – maybe real, maybe imaginary – of us as children, untethered and roaming about. Summers could be boring, exciting, even dangerous. It’s more fun to imagine that past then to try to dwell in the imperfect present.

It’s also part of a larger backlash against intensive parenting. The irony of this laissez-faire concept is that, at least in our experience, nothing is more intensive than dealing with a child at home. Particularly in the summer, when every other kid they know is busy, and when the temperature outside exceeds 100 degrees for days on end.

It also sounds, a bit suspiciously, like the rhetoric espoused at Turning Point USA’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit, which was covered by The New York Times, New York Magazine, and The Washington Post this week. There is an air of don’t worry, you’ll figure it out-ness to their pitch. Have a lot of kids, stay home with them, don’t think too hard about what that will mean for your life or career prospects.

Of course, we cannot go back to the ‘90s. No matter if we trade our phones for Blackberries or landlines. The question is: Why do so many people want to?

There’s a frustration at our options, none perfect, but perhaps this is really about the ongoing struggle to keep kids off screens. As Kathryn Jezer-Morton writes, “While we’re griping at one another about the privilege to stay home with kids or to afford camp, maybe we should redirect our anger toward our shared enemy: an economy built on extracting shareholder value from our kids’ unsupervised time.”

Speaking of summer: This week, we’re in the market for hot-weather dresses, hot-weather recipes, and hot-weather TV. Scroll on for all that and more.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

Splurge on your trip, not your travel wardrobe

Quince believes that quality should never be a luxury, with premium apparel, accessories, and luggage all priced at 50-80% less than competitors.

Ready to upgrade your vacation style? Check out the 2025 Resort Collection.

SHOP NOW

It’s impossible to beat this heat, but we can dress for it. Forget about heavy fabrics or restrictive waistbands; right now, we are eyeing loose dresses in lightweight linen, gauze, or lace. Below, 20 faves.

• Low effort, high reward. Alex Mill Flora Dress, $275. Size XS to XL.

• Don’t ask why we want this silly towelling dress…but we do. Cap d’Antibes Manon Short Dress, $290 (also here, but in fewer sizes). Size XS to XL.

• Fun and sporty. Gap Linen-Blend Halter Dress, $39. Size XXS to XXL.

• Like a sexy slip, but for daytime wear. Cou Cou Intimates The Iris Slip, $140. Size XXS to XXL.

• Might have to snap this up before it sells out. Zara Collection Embroidered Stitch Dress, $109. Size XS to XL.

• Love the print and the shape. Maria de la Orden Maquis Dress, $226. Size S, M, L.

• The perfect shirtdress for hot weather. Ayr the Splash Dress, $195. Size XS to XL.

• An adorable option in lightweight cotton. J.Crew Airy Gauze Babydoll Dress, $59.50. Size XXS to 3XL.

• A cute little striped tank dress. Rylee + Cru Crochet Tank Mini Dress, $128. Size XS to XL.

• The details on this white slip are gorgeous. Skall Studio Emmy Dress, $254. Size 32 to 42.

• A sexy, lacy mini. Free People Winifred Mini Dress, $168. Size XS to XL.

• There is a lot to like about this A-line shape, including the fact that it has pockets. Banana Republic Poplin Swing Mini Dress, $120. Size XXS to XXL.

• Somehow hot, functional, and chic. Ninety Percent Flos Dress, $121.10. Size XS to L.

• Such a cheery, bright striped style. Xirena Castaway Edie Dress, $265. Size XS to XL.

• A soft muslin mini that’d be perfect for tossing over a bathing suit. H&M Tunic Dress, $48. Size XXS to 4XL.

• The pastel patchwork on this maxi makes it a real standout. Splendid Audrina Dress, $248. Size XS to XL.

• A simple shape and modest cut means this would work for a variety of occasions. Cos Linen Tie-Front Midi Dress, $165. Size 2 to 14.

• Breezy and boho. Daughters of India Kyra Maxi Dress, $259. Size XS to 3XL.

• This lovely polka-dot shift can be cinched at the waist or left loose. Dissh Spot Mini Dress, $152. Size 2 to 12.

• An extremely comfy gingham option. Wray Austin Dress, $245. Size XXS to 6XL.

Shop the Story

TO STREAM The latest episode of Netflix’s “Trainwreck” series tackles a cruising nightmare. Poop Cruise (yes), revisits the 2013 incident in which thousands of Carnival cruise attendees were forced to defecate into bags for days following a power outage at sea. For a more highbrow documentary, HBO’s Enigma tells the story of two trailblazing trans women, Amanda Lear and April Ashley, who met in the ‘50s at famed Parisian cabaret Le Carrousel.

TO READ The one book we’re taking to the beach and pool this summer is best-selling author Kate Myers’ Salty. It's a frothy, fun, and compelling caper about two mismatched sisters going up against shady real estate developers. Her first book, Excavations, is being turned into a series on Peacock starring Amy Poehler so you know she’s good.  Did we mention it all takes place within the backdrop of the Caribbean yachting world? Fans of Below Deck, take note. Get it here. #partner

TO MAKE We riffed off this Vietnamese lemongrass beef and noodle salad recipe this week, subbing the beef for chicken thighs (you could also use tofu) and it was great. We love the combo of cold noodles and crisp, fresh vegetables and herbs. Make extra sauce!

This is what we need an HBO series on. • Speaking of a ‘90s summer, “it’s time to log off.” • 9 women share their experiences with joint custody. • A major diabetes breakthrough?

_{*Gloria may receive an affiliate commission on purchases made through our newsletter.}