Some parents dread summer. I adore it.
What a treat to sleep in, to drive less, to read books lazily all day long, to go on long walks in the early morning and before sunset, to strap on our helmets and go biking, and...to travel!
Whether you're traveling near or far this summer (or even staying at home sweet home), I'm happy to present some of our family's favorite clothing, footwear, and accessory options for summer vacations!
Bon voyage!
Originally designed for public safety professionals and FBI Training, 5.11 Tactical also makes great clothing and footwear options for men & women at affordable prices. In essence, 5.11 Tactical offers clothing and gear for anyone who wants to move comfortably. We've come to expect thoughtfully-designed apparel from this brand - strategically-placed pockets, sturdy stitching, and flexible materials.
Pictured: Attina Short, Leslie Long Sleeve Shirt, and Shauna Short.
As parents, we slather on sunscreen to help protect our children from sunburns - but we often forget to protect their eyes as well! Babiators’ award-winning sunglasses for children "protect against 100% of UV rays and are virtually indestructible." These glasses are also polarized (reducing harsh glare) with UV400 lenses that will protect your child’s eyes and surrounding skin from UV rays. All Babiators frames are BPA-free. There are three sizes to choose from: ages 0-2, ages 3-5, or ages 6+.
Pictured: The Daydreamer (ages 6+) and Black Ops Black Navigator (ages 6+; see under "Snapper Rock" below).
Leave it to a dance company to design adorable ballet flats! Appropriately named, Bloch's (BRAND NEW!) Ballerina Shoes are perfectly posh and as elegant as can be. There are five different colors to choose from.
Pictured: Nashira Ballerina Shoes and Rigel Ballerina Shoes.
When it comes to packing for travel, comfort is key - and Brooks Running has amazing activewear options for both men and women (teens too)!
Pictured: Chaser 5" Short, Sprint Free Short Sleeve, Distance Graphic Long Sleeve, and Ghost 14.
Not Pictured (but amazing nonetheless!): Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra.
For athletic clothing for the whole family, Columbia Sportswear shines! You'll find tops, bottoms, outerwear, and shoes - designed with camping, hiking, climbing, running, and biking in mind.
Pictured: Boys' Zero Rules™ Short Sleeve Graphic Shirt, Girls' Mission Peak™ Short Sleeve Graphic T-Shirt, Girls' Columbia Hike™ Shorts, Kids' Columbia Trek™ Joggers, Kids' Hood River™ Slide Sandal, and Women's PFG Slack Water™ Knit Romper.
Coolibar has been a favorite brand in our house for YEARS! This innovative brand offers fashion-forward designs in incredible color schemes every single summer. Best of all, their pieces offer top-notch sun protection while still being supremely stylish. For 2022, we're especially in love with the neck to ankle swimsuits for kids. Perfect for a day at the beach! No sunscreen needed! Pair with a matching hat for extra protection - and cuteness!
Pictured: Boy's Barracuda Neck-to-Ankle Swimsuit UPF 50+ with Kid's Caspian Bucket Hat UPF 50+ and Kid's Sunray 360 Coverage Swimsuit UPF 50+ with Girl's Evelyn Swim Cloche UPF 50+.
When it comes to summer clothes, my teenage daughters and I love to LIVE in golf clothes. They're stretchy, stylish, and perfectly preppy - while allowing for movement for any kind of athletic pursuit (walking, running, tennis, golf, hiking, volleyball). In other words, we can look put together without having to sacrifice comfort. No itching, pinching, digging, or squeezing!
Pictured: Sleeveless Sport Tie Top, Sleeveless Zip Polo, Stretch V-Neck Sweater, Houndstooth Performance Side Pleat Skort, and Top Golf Pull-On Skort.
If you prefer a laidback, beachy, west coast vibe for your clothes, you will go crazy at H&M. The styles are mostly casual; super easy to wear for every day adventures at home or on-the-go. If you head to your nearest mall, you can find pieces for babies, kids, teens, men, and women - most with a price tag between $10 and $25. H&M is an especially great brand for tweens and teens because they offer items that are exactly on-trend without breaking the bank.
Pictured: Printed Tshirt, Knit Sweater, Belted Twill Shorts, Sneakers, and 2-Pack Sports Tops.
As you know, I adore the Janie & Jack brand and I visit their website every single season to ooh and aah at their preppy, chic pieces for ages newborn up through size 18. Their clothes are posh enough to wear to English riding lessons, to an afternoon tea party, or to a music recital - but they also offer everyday pieces for at home and in the backyard. If I could dress my kids exclusively in Janie & Jack, I would.
Pictured: Floral Ruffle Sleeve Dress and The Grace Floral Smocked Puff Sleeve Dress.
Jet-setting abroad for the summer? If possible, give each child their own rolling suitcase to stash their clothes, accessories, and other gear. J World New York offers plentiful patterns and sizes for every member of the family. As a bonus, they can also be used for school!
Pictured: Duo Rolling Backpack With Detachable Lunch Box Set (18 Inch), Sundance Laptop Rolling Backpack (19.5 Inch), Sprinkle Kids Backpack, and Oz Daypack Backpack.
KUT from the Kloth is most well-known for their soft, stretchy premium denim and their lovely feminine tops & blouses. We happen to like both.
Pictured: Gemma Ruffle Button Down Blouse, Catherine Boyfriend Short (Animating Wash), and Jasmine Printed Blouse.
Lucky Brand offers fashion-forward pieces for both men and women (teens too!). Wide leg jeans are currently en vogue, which is a refreshing trend compared to skinny jeans and jeggings. Pair with a crisp, classic white button-up for an outfit that can go so many places!
Pictured: Classic One Pocket Shirt with High Rise Wide Leg.
SCARPA is a family-owned company that has been making shoes since 1938. Today, they are especially well-known for high performance shoes for climbing, hiking, running, skiing, and any number of other athletic pursuits. These well-made shoes offer plentiful cushioning, impact absorption, water protection, and great traction for wherever your next run takes you. The Golden Gate ATR (pictured above in black and pink) are among the most comfortable tennis shoes I have owned in the past decade. (If you're 40 or over, you will appreciate the extra support for your knees, arches, and joints).
Pictured: Men's Spin Infinity GTX and Women's Golden Gate ATR.
See Kai Run shoes have been part of our family for almost 15 years. In fact, we were part of helping to launch the brand into the spotlight! See Kai Run debuted in 2004 and we had our first baby two years later (the same year Metropolitan Mama was born...I birthed both a baby and a blog!). These shoes remain a favorite with our youngest child, who is five. They are supportive and stylish - made with durable, breathable, lightweight materials that kids love. See Kai Run offers shoes, sandals, and boots for babies up to size youth 3 (approximately age 8).
Pictured: Jude Brown and Summit Blue.
We've loved every item we've ever tried from Snapper Rock. To put it simply, Snapper Rock has both design and fit down to a "T." If you're into matching as a family, mother/daughter, father/son, or sibling set, you will LOVE Snapper Rock because they offer coordinating colors and outfits for your whole crew.
Pictured: Crystal Gold Sunglasses, Sky Dye Batwing Cover Up, Sky Dye Scoop Swimsuit, Sunset Cruising Navy LS Rash Top, and Sunset Cruising Volley Board Short.
If you played tennis or are currently part of the tennis scene, you most certainly know about Tail Activewear since the company has held a large share of the apparel in that market for over 45 years. Now, however, Tail designs gorgeous tops and bottoms for any woman (or teen) on the move.
Pictured: Gorgeous Top Star Burst with Allure 17" Skort Chalk White.
Wearing a watch is a helpful way for young children to learn to manage time. The KidiZoom® Smartwatch DX3 also features dual cameras for pictures, one- and two-player games (like Monster Catcher, Crazy Dance, Find the Diamonds, and Tic-Tac-Toe), and an option to set daily reminders. Plus, the light on the watch doubles as a flashlight! Best for ages 5-10.
For stylish, bra-sized swimwear, browse the sophisticated swim separates from Coco Reef. Coco Reef has a mission of "providing women with swimwear that compliments, supports, and sculpts the body."
Pictured (left to right): Beach House Sport Ava Zip Front Rash Guard, Coco Contours Benefit Tankini Top, Beach House Sport Serena Pull On Swim Skort, and Coco Reef Modish Swim Skort.
What brands are you shopping for your next summer vacation?