Cocktail Dressing Is My New Favorite Summer Styling Trick

This summer you can find me outside. After the past three summers of being pregnant, breastfeeding, or the nonstop chasing of an almost two-year-old, I’m ready to have some fun. And by fun I mean drinks out. To commemorate a summer of feeling more like my nightlife-loving self again, I styled three outfits inspired by my favorite cocktails of this oh-so-fleeting season. And everyone is invited—no actual booze is necessary to participate! Much like my “pop of citrus” theory, dressing like a drink brings whimsy and joy to building summer outfits when it’s almost too hot to be creative. Luckily, it’s still chilly enough at night for my brain to be active, so I went to my closet, pulled my best ingredients, and decided to shake things up. From Mudslides to Dark ‘n Stormy’s and Hugo spritzes, here’s what and how I’m serving my take on these classics. Cheers!

Dressing Like a…Mudslide

Mudslides are a quintessential New England summer drink, and to match the vibe of the frozen, chocolatey, and borderline messy cocktail, I wanted a casual outfit that felt fun and kind of silly. I recently visited Nantucket, customized a pair of sneakers with Reebok and Cru of Two PR, and ended the evening with an obligatory mudslide (and a half, if you must know). The sneakers with playful mismatched laces are the anchor of the look, which I paired with an oversized men’s secondhand Ralph Lauren polo in white with brown stripes, which I fashioned into a dress with a cinched belt-bag waist. I topped the look with a Nantucket Reds bucket hat for a true homage to the vibe. This one felt like a low-key, day-drinking-with-the-masses outfit, especially with sun coverage, a hands-free handbag, and a comfortable shoe for standing. See you at the bar.

Dressing Like a… Dark and Stormy

To me, this outfit feels very 2016, which tracks because I also used to drink quite a few Dark and Stormy’s around that time, especially in Bermuda, where the drink originated. But, like the outfit, you simply can’t go wrong with a classic. A Gosling’s Rum (no other can be used, sorry) shade of dark brown SoldOut.The NYC tee, paired with a ginger-beer-shade of gold silk skirt, mimics the combo, and my Margaux ballet flats are clearly the slice of lime. A basket bag secures the whole thing as a summer ‘fit that’s perfectly day-to-night, just like the drink.

Dressing like a…Hugo Spritz

I definitely drank one of these in 2021 during Milan Fashion Week, but my kid’s Gen Z sitter insists that a Hugo Spritz is the drink of Summer 2026, so I’m listening to her. It’s a Gen Z’s world, and I just live in it! This outfit, with pieces I also procured in 2021, feels just like the simple sophistication of this cocktail and is exactly what I’d like to be wearing when I’m drinking it. The soft cream of this cashmere Ralph Lauren find and old Sergio Rossi sandals is the shade of prosecco, and the floral lace of this secondhand Chanel skirt is a nod to the spritz's signature elderflower note. A green Lindquist tote represents a healthy sprig of mint, and now I feel breezy, sophisticated, and dare I say, kind of Italian? Perfetto for a rooftop Hugo Spritz at sunset.