LIFE

Are you more of a "Cruel Summer" gal or "sweet tea in the summer" girlie? Lucky for you, there's no need to settle the debate on which Taylor Swift album *screams* summer, bc we found a vibe for every era of the szn.

Whether you're channeling a 1989 or Lover summer, look no further for your Taylor-coded bucket list. 

Lover

It's hard to forget this album existed when it's the summertime...or like, ever. For the ultimate Lover summer, we present to you the most sparkly gel pen itinerary there is (iykyk). Think butterflies, rainbows and sunsets. Tbh, what more could you really ask for? 

🩷 Pink floatie pool day. Take inspo from the "You Need to Calm Down" music video (aka, a cinematic masterpiece). Get fitted up in your fave bathing suit and dig out a floatie to tan on. Bonus points if you replicate the pink fur coat. 

🩷 Try out a new hairstyle. Lover's all about bringing more color and fun into your life. If you want to channel this era, a fun activity to check off is getting colorful streaks in your hair inspired by the album cover.

🩷 Catch the sunset or sunrise. Ofc, it's no Lover era without an ombre sky. Whether you're getting bagels and coffee for the sunrise or curling up in blankets for the sunset, we recommend queuing up "Daylight" ASAP. 

1989

This summer is about to be one of your wildest dreams, because the 1989 vibe is definitely exciting and fast-paced. Doesn't matter if you resonate more with the city life associated with the OG or the beachy vibe associated with "Taylor's Version"—they'll never go out of style. 

✨ City photo shoot. Dig out the Polaroid and film cameras, bc it's time to capture all those summer mems. Your mantra? Live for the plot and pose for the camera. 

✨ Spontaneous dance parties. It's not a 1989 summer if you don't shake it off. Our fave thing about this bucket list item? It can happen anywhere, anytime. Just bring yourself and your girl squad, ofc. 

✨​​​​​​​ Journal at the beach. This one's more of a "Taylor's Version" activity, but writing by the beach can feel super refreshing and therapeutic, whether it's an entry about a fun summer weekend or a friend you don't talk to anymore (iykyk). P.S. The more seagulls around, the better.

Folklore

Don't worry if summer is slipping away like it was never yours...folklore has all the deets on how to embrace that late August vibe like an earthy goddess. We're *so* here for stories from a not-so-far-off reality, so why not live a summer straight out of the folklore cinematic universe?

🌿 Read in the park. Green was the color of the grass you'll be reading on as you bask in the late-summer sunlight. Granted, it doesn't have to be Centennial Park like mentioned in "invisible string," bc immersing yourself into a fictional world can happen anywhere, anytime. 

🌿 Start a garden. Ofc, you gotta get on that gardening game like our girl Betty (without the heartbreak, hopefully). Dw, this little spot is just for yourself—aka, no James allowed. Would it be too cheesy to say you need to water your own plants for you to grow? 

🌿​​​​​​​ Lake day. If you really want to romanticize that folklore summer, spend a picturesque day at the lake—liking auroras and sad prose is recommended. Feel the earth beneath your feet, enjoy the landscape (*especially* if you see wisteria) and bathe in cliffside pools to your heart's desire. 

Speak Now

Tbh, fairytale summer might just be the move. Whether your castles are crumbling or having the time of your life fighting dragons, channeling Speak Now is arguably one of the most magical ways to elevate those dog days.  

💟 Write letters. Is there anything more romantic than penning a physical letter? Sure, they can be confessions of love (no foolish ones here) or a story chronicling your own life. Whatever it may be, you'll feel just like another character in the Taylor universe. 

💟 Dance in the rain. If you ever happen to catch that refreshing summer rain, drop everything now bc it's a magical moment waiting to be seized. Bonus points if the sparks fly in the pouring rain. 

💟​​​​​​​ Go to a fireworks show. We'll let you in on this secret: You're *always* shining like fireworks over any town. Take advantage of the summertime to see the fireworks for that "Dear John" vibe...minus the treacherous heartbreak, pls!

Want more summer inspo? Check out our Instagram @girlslifemag!

Slider and top image: @taylorswift
All GIFs via GIPHY

by Anne Chen | 6/3/2024