How good was camp? Don't you wish you could go back? Back to the hiking, the swimming, the fire pits, even back to that weird lady who ran the arts and crafts building. Why did you have to grow up and get a job? Damn this concrete prison you call an office!
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But even though you can't take the whole summer off to go tell ghost stories in the woods, you can still get a little of that old camp magic back in your life with these nine awesome fashion tips and trends, which, unlike real camp, are 100 percent bugbite-free. Just microwave yourself some s'mores and let the waves of joyful nostalgia wash over you like so much crystal-clear lake water. Oh gosh! Water skiing! I want to go to there!
1. Get yourself some tie-dye.
If camp had an official print, that print would be tie-dye. Luckily tie-dye is totally hot right now, and it's only going to get hotter thanks to designers like Michael Kors and Alexander Wang who featured the print prominently in their 2015 resort collections.
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From left to right: Tie-Dye Muscle Tank, NASTY GAL; Black-and-White Striped T-Shirt, MANGO; Tie-Dye Denim Shorts, BOOHOO; Tie-Dye Crochet Cardigan, UNIF; Tie-Dye Halter Bodysuit, J.CREW; Tie-Dye Crew Top, SUPERDRY; Tie-Dye Mini Dress, RAGA
2. Invite some friendship bracelets to your next arm party.
Now that you are an adult, there is absolutely no shame in buying your own friendship bracelets. You're a busy woman. You can't spend your days knotting colored string and beads together (although how amazing would it be if you could?). You've got shit to do. Besides, these little bracelets are way better than anything your camp friends ever managed to make for you anyway.
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Clockwise from the top: Crystal Adjustable Friendship Bracelet, CARA; Hug Me Friendship Bracelet, BETSEY JOHNSON; Lei Bracelet, VANESSA ARIZAGA; Gold Chain Braid Bracelet, AKIRA; Multicolor Braided Bracelet, LUCKY FOLK; Swarovski Rings Multicolor Friendship Bracelet, BLEE INARA; Friendship Bracelets Pack, RIVER ISLAND
3. Do that whole cutoffs-bikini-and-tank-top thing.
It was good enough for chilling by the lake back then, and it's good enough for chilling by the bar now, especially with some spiked fruit punch in your hand. Ahhhh, booze! One of the few things adult life has over camp life. Well, legal booze anyway.
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From left to right: Orange Bathing Bikini Top, ORLEBAR BROWN; White Daisy Printed Shorts, TALULA AT ARITZIA; MIA Tank, LA NOTTE AT ARITZIA; Pink Bikini Top, AERIE; Denim Shorts, AMERICAN EAGLE; Lime Crocheted Tank, AMERICAN EAGLE; Patterned Bikini Top, EBERJEY; Pink Shorts, DELIA*S; Purple Tank, AMERICAN EAGLE
4. Throw on some candy-colored sunnies.
Remember when sunglasses were fun and cool? Before you learned about Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O and made basic black your go-to color? Not that there's anything wrong with basic black; it's just that these are so much more fun and they'll make any outfit more fun by association.
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Clockwise from the top: Retro Orange Shield Sunglasses, ZEROUV; Blue Palms Sunglasses, QUAY; Mirrored Visor Sunglasses, RIVER ISLAND; Red Heart Sunglasses, MODCLOTH; Blue Mirrored Sunglasses, LOCAL SUPPLY; Purple Printed Round Mirrored Sunglasses, BLACKFIVE; Yellow Squared Frame Sunglasses, MANGO
5. Patch up!
Get your art-and-crafts fix by campifying an old pair of denim shorts or basic boring tote bag with some camp-themed patches. Apply just one as an accent to a pocket or go crazy and layer them by the dozens. There's really no wrong way to do it, and at this price, you can feel free to let you creativity run wild.
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Patches, SNAPPYLOGOS, $1 each
6. Bring cargo shorts and windbreakers back into your life.
They look totally awesome together or as separates. Just make sure your cargo shorts are fitted through the leg to make them as flattering as possible and go bold with the brightest, poppiest windbreaker you can find, well, just because!
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From left to right: Yellow Windbreaker, FREE PEOPLE; Green Cargo Shorts, DELIA*S; Khaki Drawstring Shorts, JOIE; Long Cargo Shorts, H&M; Orange and Green Windbreaker, K-WAY
7. Top off your look with a colorful hat.
Baseball caps are never out of style and bucket hats might have seemed a little nerdy back in the day, but they're actually cool now, especially in a bold print or color or both. They're just the thing to punch up a basic tank-and-jeans combo.
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Clockwise from the top: Camouflage Bucket Hat, PATAGONIA; Pink Floral Print Baseball Cap, KENZO; Printed Bucket Hat, CHUMS; Blue Sagaponack Snapback, BLUE & CREAM; Multicolor Bucket Hat, NEW ERA; Jungle Woven Baseball Hat, SUPERDUPER; Blue Floral Print Bucket Hat, MOTEL VINTAGE; Blanket Stripe Hat, WITHOUT WALLS
8. Pack a bright bag.
Fanny packs are cool, people! They're back, I swear. That said, I know they can be a little intimidating. Luckily backpacks are back too — in every color, material, and print you can think of.
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From left to right: Yellow and Blue Backpack, ALITE; DARE Neon Fanny Pack, EXTREME 80S; Flamingo Speaker Fanny Pack, PATRICIA FIELD; Flower Backpack, HERSCHEL; Tie-Dye Backpack, PUMA PROCAT; Pink Fanny Pack, EVEREST; Blue and Red Fanny Pack, QUIKSILVER; Yellow 3 Pocket Fanny Pack, ALLEGRA K; Blue Printed Backpack, EPPERSON MOUNTAINEERING; Yellow Backpack, REBECCA MINKOFF; Tribal Print Fanny Pack, FOREVER 21
9. Dig out your old camp T-shirt and wear it with pride.
You know you still have it. Somewhere. If not with you, then in a box at your parents' house. You just have to roll up your sleeves and get to digging. That, or you could just buy one of these ones. Camp Anawana, anyone? Salute Your Shorts forever!
From left to right: Mountain Tank, COLARADICAL; Camp Crystal Lake T-Shirt, CRAZY DOG TSHIRTS; Camp Anawana T-Shirt, ROCKET FACTORY; Camp T-Shirt, CAMP BRAND GOODS
Source: Cosmopolitan