The Weather Girl’s Guide to Summer Road Tripping
Pro Tips and Fashion Takes from the SSENSE Chief Meteorologist
Get in loser, we're going on a road trip. Destination? All signs point to Hypeville. Fueled by my expert outfit outlooks, this summer’s action-packed adventure is bound to be one for the books. No terrain is off limits, and no gear worn along the way will go unnoticed. As the sunshine and its scorching heat return, it's essential to hone a wardrobe that screams "I'm " while keeping totally cool—the perfect mantra for cruising down the freeway, off-road, and into the VIP section of all the best festivals. So grab your shades and your snacks, it’s time to buckle up! But first, get familiar with my trend futurecast, guaranteed to fill the trunk with all the picture-worthy fits you’ll inevitably be capturing.
DRESS LIKE YOUR RIDE
No wheels? No problem. Car troubles are nothing to worry about when your outfit becomes its own souped-up speed racer. Thanks to this season’s auto-inspired designs, the best features are yours to compile: chrome wheel shoes, flame-shooting tailpipe trousers, and a weather-resistant PVC visor (resembling a windshield that won’t be cracked). Don’t just hop in that sexy car—that sexy car is !
BUCKETS, BUCKETS, BUCKETS
In the context of SS19, Raoul Duke fits nicely. In fact, Hunter S. Thompson and Johnny Depp’s famous protagonist is an apt personification of the state of the world right now. A trippy, maniacal, whirling reminder of our collective binge watching, eco-anxious, social media-addicted generation. In these chaotic times, the bucket hat—and its nod to the joy of fulfilling bucket lists—is just what we need to chill us out (and of course, with Duke’s hat of choice in mind, to protect us from the chemtrails). There’s a bucket hat for everyone, in prints ranging from python and plaid, to a florist’s fantasy. Whether you’re hoping to flex at a national park or simply protect your neck, a bucket hat is road trip necessity.
PICNIC PIT STOP
Research shows that travelling has a direct impact on our appetites. We’re hungrier and more prone to dietary temptations when we’re on the move—we need snacks, pronto. Chips, dip, sandwiches (in halves, meant for now and then later, but inevitably consumed later). How lovely, then, to pull over and prolong our journey? Pit stops are a perfect opportunity for stretching our legs and lunging to the nearest loo. So: dress the part. Become the picnic you wish to see...in your scenic pit stop world. Consider fruit prints (Marc Jacobs, MSGM, Gucci) or basket bags (Kenzo, Loewe, Prada). Embrace gingham’s summertime charm. Long drives aren’t cute but picnic-dressing—pigtails for effect—are! Never has a pee break looked so planned.
WORRY LESS, WANDER MORE
Travel vloggers, van dwellers, couples on vacation together: rejoice—this is . When you’ve ditched reality and the world really is your oyster, exploration comes as a commitment and your outfit must reflect the luxury of living ~free~. A perfect sunset backdrop can’t be tainted by clothes with any traces back to corporate lifestyle. Flower crowns, tie-dye , and shoes (worn optionally) of Birkenstock variety, all topped off with the warm glow of WiFi’s absence are perfect for the GoPro-ready look that’s required at all times. From Machu Picchu to Bali’s Hanging Gardens, if the 99.9 million-plus posts on Instagram are any indication, #wanderlust isn’t just a feeling, it’s a lifestyle.
ROCKER ON THE ROAD
From by Jack Kerouac, to "On the Road Again" by Canned Heat, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson respectively, to 2019's "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X ft. Billie Ray Cyrus, there's one idea that just won't quit—getting the hell out of here! What's the best way to show you're ready to scram at any moment? Perhaps by implying you're down to write a song about it—strap a guitar to your back (let's be real, most musicians can't afford to own a car) and hitchhike your way into the horizon. Be sure to carry a notebook, in your hand or breast pocket, (extra points for a tattered Moleskine) to illustrate your competency for journaling, or rather, penning your first novel. Let your hair get greasy and your face patina’d with grime—who needs a mirror, anyway? And always, always have an extra layer tied around your waist in case you need to crash someplace unexpected. If you happen to find yourself totally alone, abandoned, and unprepared on the side of the road, just remind yourself to romanticize your own recklessness by reciting these words:
Flight Suits Take Off Everything You Need to Know About Proto-Pilotwear, from Random Identities to NASA to Burberry One of the biggest shifts in wedding dress design occurred during World War II, when silk was rationed to create parachutes. Thousands of pilots and paratroopers brought home their unused parachutes and reserve chutes from war, where the material was then turned into wedding dresses. Destruction from above was enshrined into the fabric of romantic commitment, hidden unless you knew the story of how it got there. 
Say Yes to the Vest How the Menswear Staple Solves All Your Problems The final look of Louis Vuitton’s SS20 menswear presentation offered what could generously be described as a “vest.” It looked almost as if the model had been dipped in some high-strength adhesive and swung by his ankles around a Louis Vuitton showroom, accumulating tobacco-hewn, monogrammed bags and furniture as he went. While this might be hard to picture, it also called to mind the work of UK designer Craig Green , known for attaching maximalist structures to models. 
The SSENSE Fall/Winter 2019 Trend Report: Part II A Guide to the Future and Next Season’s Products In fashion, Fall/Winter is the heavyweight season. The time of year that’s most lauded by industry press and most widely anticipated by designers. Every campaign, editorial, and product is packed into the pages of the heavy, collectable, and , September issue, immortalized forever in fashion history. Autumn sees us ante up in layers as we look forward to sporting more gear and less sweat. Whether you’re looking to refine your signature aesthetic or completely reinvent yourself, there’s a fashion trend for you, and a backstory, too.