What to wear to the cottage: 7 Style Panel tips to keep you stylish and comfortable all summer long
Heading up to the cottage on weekends is one of our favourite summer activities, but with weekends being so short and many of us having a serious case of over-packing syndrome, it can quickly become a love-hate relationship. It seems as though we need so much—an outfit for the morning, something chic to wear by the water, an après-beach ensemble — and with all this hovering over our heads, deciding what to wear to the cottage is suddenly overwhelming. Since we feel like every part of your weekend getaway should be enjoyable (right down to the packing) we’ve asked our Style Panel for tips on what to pack and wear to the cottage this summer.
Nautical style is a given for most of this week’s Style Panel. Jill Lansky of The August Diaries, Kira Paran of Northern Style Exposure and Barbara Ann Solomon of Barbara Ann’s Style Blog all agree that stripes are the way to go when dressing for the cottage. Whether you’re pairing them with denim like Lansky or bold graphics like Solomon, nautical wardrobe pieces are definite cottage staples. Coco and Vera‘s Cee Fardoe and To Vogue or Bust‘s Alexandra Grant both emphasize a simple packing list made up of denim shorts and a layering piece for those cool nights by the campfire is the way to go, because you can never go wrong with laid-back cottage style. If there is one thing Style Panel can agree on this week, when it comes to what to wear to the cottage this summer, less is always more.
Question 112: What are your cottage wardrobe essentials? Read the answers now! »
Jump to: ALEX GRANT, VANCOUVER | BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO | BECKY KUNG, CALGARY | CEE FARDOE, VANCOUVER | JILL LANSKY, VANCOUVER | KIRA PARAN, EDMONTON | LEAH GUST, TORONTO
Cee Fardoe, 27
Paris via Vancouver | Coco and Vera
Packing is always a challenge, no matter where you’re going or what you have planned, but packing light for a weekend away at the cottage can be particularly tough. I have often felt compelled to overpack for two-day trips, bringing along six or seven outfits in case of inclement weather or just because I might want to change my clothes a lot. But in all honesty, cottage style should be simple and laid back – a weekend away at the beach is more about relaxing and recharging than it is about reinventing the sartorial wheel with your outfit choices. These days, my cottage-packing list is pretty simple: denim shorts, a couple of tank tops, a cozy sweatshirt, my utility jacket, sandals and lots of reading material!
Cee’s wearing: Jacket, H&M. Sweatshirt, Sezane. Shorts, American Eagle. Sandals, Zara. Bracelet, Paul and Joe.
Alexandra Grant, 26
Vancouver | To Vogue Or Bust
I head to my cabin on the Sunshine Coast here in BC any chance I get. Though I’m usually a notorious over-packer, I have the cabin packing down pat. Cut-offs take me through the whole weekend, while a couple classic shirts and one sundress rolled up inside a tote cover all sartorial bases. Throw in toiletries, a bathing suit, a pair of sandals you’ll be comfortable in all weekend long, and you’re set!
Alex’s wearing: Shorts, Gap. Shirt, H&M. Hat, Aritzia. Sandals and sunglasses, Sole Society. Bag, Roots. Scarf, Club Monaco.
Leah Gust, 31
Toronto | Leah Says’
I love cottage weekends. The food, the sun, the water! I try to travel light and pack only a couple hard working essentials like a white tee and denim shorts. Beyond the essentials you need a layering piece to keep you cozy on cool mornings and evenings by the fireside. Instead of a sweatshirt this summer, I’ve been super into a colourful kimono. Does the trick, but keeps a fashion girl appropriately fashionable—even at the cottage.
Leah’s wearing: Kimono, shorts, necklace and sandals, Vintage. Sunglasses, Kensington Market.
Barbara Ann Solomon, 25
Toronto | Barbara Ann’s Style Blog
For the perfect weekend getaway up north, I always travel with a basic nautical theme in mind, and I know I can’t go wrong. With a new take on this classic trend, I’ve mixed the essential stripe with a fun graphic pattern to create an easy day-to-night look. It’s important to pack wisely for small trips, and colourful jewellery can enhance even the simplest outfits.
Barbara’s wearing: Shirt, Topshop. Skirt, Cooperative. Shoes, Zara. Jewellery, Woundenberg.
Kira Paran, 29
Edmonton | Northern Style Exposure
When I think of a weekend getaway at the cottage or lake I’m automatically drawn to nautical wardrobe pieces. I find it easier to pack for a few days when I have a little theme in mind. That way, almost all the items I pack will inherently go together. My must haves are: a hat, large bag and comfortable sandals. A little packing trick? I almost always wear the hat on the trip there, so it doesn’t get crushed in my luggage.
Kira’s wearing: Top, pants and hat, J.Crew. Sandals, Salt Water Sandals. Bag, Marc Jacobs. Watch, Michael Kors. Hair ties, Old Navy.
Becky Kung, 30
Calgary | Velvet & Vino
I like to keep it simple when it comes to weekend getaways at the cottage. I go for comfort combined with style.
When it comes to sandals, Birkenstocks are the ultimate shoe for sticking to fashionable comfort. I also like to pack my favourite chambray top for its versatility. It can be worn with a cute pair of shorts, or as an alternative to the classic cover-up over a bikini.
Becky’s wearing: Shorts, Forever 21. Chambray, Old Navy. Sandals, Birkenstock.
Jill Lansky, 26
Vancouver | The August Diaries
When it comes to weekend getaways, nothing matters more to me than comfort and packing as little clothing as possible as to not to worry about what to wear. A hat is obviously a must-have (to protect those pretty faces!), but I’ve taken to bringing a lot of stripes lately. Whether long-sleeved or short, a striped tee works perfectly with denim shorts, jeans or a skirt.
Jill’s wearing: Top, J.Crew. Jeans, Zara. Sandals, H&M. Hat, Saks Fifth Ave. Bag, Soprano.
 we’ve asked our Style Panel for tips on what to pack and wear to the cottage this summer.
Nautical style is a given for most of this week’s Style Panel. Jill Lansky of The August Diaries, Kira Paran of Northern Style Exposure and Barbara Ann Solomon of Barbara Ann’s Style Blog all agree that stripes are the way to go when dressing for the cottage. Whether you’re pairing them with denim like Lansky or bold graphics like Solomon, nautical wardrobe pieces are definite cottage staples. Coco and Vera's Cee Fardoe and To Vogue or Bust's Alexandra Grant both emphasize a simple packing list made up of denim shorts and a layering piece for those cool nights by the campfire is the way to go, because you can never go wrong with laid-back cottage style. If there is one thing Style Panel can agree on this week, when it comes to what to wear to the cottage this summer, less is always more.
Question 112: What are your cottage wardrobe essentials? Read the answers now! »
Jump to: ALEX GRANT, VANCOUVER | BARBARA ANN SOLOMON, TORONTO | BECKY KUNG, CALGARY | CEE FARDOE, VANCOUVER | JILL LANSKY, VANCOUVER | KIRA PARAN, EDMONTON | LEAH GUST, TORONTO
Cee Fardoe, 27
Paris via Vancouver | Coco and Vera
Packing is always a challenge, no matter where you're going or what you have planned, but packing light for a weekend away at the cottage can be particularly tough. I have often felt compelled to overpack for two-day trips, bringing along six or seven outfits in case of inclement weather or just because I might want to change my clothes a lot. But in all honesty, cottage style should be simple and laid back - a weekend away at the beach is more about relaxing and recharging than it is about reinventing the sartorial wheel with your outfit choices. These days, my cottage-packing list is pretty simple: denim shorts, a couple of tank tops, a cozy sweatshirt, my utility jacket, sandals and lots of reading material!
Cee’s wearing: Jacket, H&M. Sweatshirt, Sezane. Shorts, American Eagle. Sandals, Zara. Bracelet, Paul and Joe.
Alexandra Grant, 26
Vancouver | To Vogue Or Bust
I head to my cabin on the Sunshine Coast here in BC any chance I get. Though I'm usually a notorious over-packer, I have the cabin packing down pat. Cut-offs take me through the whole weekend, while a couple classic shirts and one sundress rolled up inside a tote cover all sartorial bases. Throw in toiletries, a bathing suit, a pair of sandals you'll be comfortable in all weekend long, and you're set!
Alex's wearing: Shorts, Gap. Shirt, H&M. Hat, Aritzia. Sandals and sunglasses, Sole Society. Bag, Roots. Scarf, Club Monaco.
Leah Gust, 31
Toronto | Leah Says’
I love cottage weekends. The food, the sun, the water! I try to travel light and pack only a couple hard working essentials like a white tee and denim shorts. Beyond the essentials you need a layering piece to keep you cozy on cool mornings and evenings by the fireside. Instead of a sweatshirt this summer, I've been super into a colourful kimono. Does the trick, but keeps a fashion girl appropriately fashionable---even at the cottage.
Leah’s wearing: Kimono, shorts, necklace and sandals, Vintage. Sunglasses, Kensington Market.
[caption id="attachment_188146" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photography Trevor Negin[/caption]
Barbara Ann Solomon, 25
Toronto | Barbara Ann’s Style Blog
For the perfect weekend getaway up north, I always travel with a basic nautical theme in mind, and I know I can't go wrong. With a new take on this classic trend, I've mixed the essential stripe with a fun graphic pattern to create an easy day-to-night look. It's important to pack wisely for small trips, and colourful jewellery can enhance even the simplest outfits.
Barbara’s wearing: Shirt, Topshop. Skirt, Cooperative. Shoes, Zara. Jewellery, Woundenberg.
Kira Paran, 29
Edmonton | Northern Style Exposure
When I think of a weekend getaway at the cottage or lake I'm automatically drawn to nautical wardrobe pieces. I find it easier to pack for a few days when I have a little theme in mind. That way, almost all the items I pack will inherently go together. My must haves are: a hat, large bag and comfortable sandals. A little packing trick? I almost always wear the hat on the trip there, so it doesn't get crushed in my luggage.
Kira’s wearing: Top, pants and hat, J.Crew. Sandals, Salt Water Sandals. Bag, Marc Jacobs. Watch, Michael Kors. Hair ties, Old Navy.
Becky Kung, 30
Calgary | Velvet & Vino
I like to keep it simple when it comes to weekend getaways at the cottage. I go for comfort combined with style.
When it comes to sandals, Birkenstocks are the ultimate shoe for sticking to fashionable comfort. I also like to pack my favourite chambray top for its versatility. It can be worn with a cute pair of shorts, or as an alternative to the classic cover-up over a bikini.
Becky’s wearing: Shorts, Forever 21. Chambray, Old Navy. Sandals, Birkenstock.
Jill Lansky, 26
Vancouver | The August Diaries
When it comes to weekend getaways, nothing matters more to me than comfort and packing as little clothing as possible as to not to worry about what to wear. A hat is obviously a must-have (to protect those pretty faces!), but I've taken to bringing a lot of stripes lately. Whether long-sleeved or short, a striped tee works perfectly with denim shorts, jeans or a skirt.
Jill’s wearing: Top, J.Crew. Jeans, Zara. Sandals, H&M. Hat, Saks Fifth Ave. Bag, Soprano.){kind=link}