What I Wore in SoCal (aka When Friendship and Sunshine Outweighed My Insecurities)
June 2025
This trip felt like a deep exhale. From June 8–12, I met up with four of my college roommates, suitemates, and choir besties in Southern California. We all lived on the same floor back in the day at our small Christian university (Evangel University in Springfield, MO)—two of them were in touring choir with me, and I lived with the other two. We started in San Diego, road-tripped to Palm Desert, then wrapped it up back where we started. I flew standby (as always), landed late at night, and the first thing I did was make my friend take me to In-N-Out. #worthit
The vibe? Easy. Cozy. Joyful. Catching up over good food, poolside hangs, and hours of nonstop talking. The weather gave classic June Gloom, which was still better than the 50° and rainy Anchorage I left behind. We didn’t dress up much—even our "nice" dinners were a bit of come-as-you-are. I packed two outfits a day, but I didn’t even wear them all. The real win? It wasn’t what I wore. It was that I showed up.
Sunday – Travel Day Chic
Outfit:
Oversized denim jacket, XL
Stretchy linen pants, L
Supportive flip-flops, TTS
907 hat to remind everyone I’m Alaskan
Vibe: chill, layered, 10/10 comfort rating
This outfit was all about balance: comfy enough to survive a full travel day (with arch support, thank you very much) but still light enough to step off the plane in sunny San Diego without breaking a sweat. And yes, elastic waistbands are forever invited to my travel plans.
Monday – Road Trip Realness
Outfit: ANC hat, Amazon tee (XL), Amazon pants (XL), Archies flip flops
Vibe: soft pants, strong drinks, solid laughs
This was our San Diego to Palm Desert day—about two hours in the car with the windows down and the playlist up. I kept it casual in a new-to-me oversized Amazon tee (so soft I’d sleep in it) and wide-leg elastic waist pants that felt more like pajamas than real clothes. Still in my trusty Archies flip-flops, and yes, the ANC hat stayed on because I wasn't quite ready to let go of Alaska rep.
After checking into our hotel, we hopped from the hotel bar to the hotel restaurant like the cozy queens we are. Great food, great wine, and great friends—we stayed up way too late laughing, which is exactly how a girls’ trip should go.
Tuesday: Desert Heat & Pool Beats
Outfit: ANC hat, Old Nave crocheted vest (XL), GAP linen pants (L), Archies flip flops
Vibe: sun-soaked, slightly tipsy, fully content
Five hours at the pool in 115° heat? Say less. We made that pool our home base—lounging, dipping, lounging again. I wore a two-piece (no pics, but trust me—it happened), a breezy crocheted vest, linen pants, and, once again, my Archies and ANC hat because shade is skincare.
The pool boy definitely earned his tip. We kept our drinks cold and our laughs loud until it was time for a mid-afternoon nap in the A/C. Zero regrets.
Tuesday Night: Vested & Vino’d
Outfit: After naps and fresh makeup, we headed out for dinner at a spot my girlfriend and her family always hit when they're in Palm Desert. On one side? A classic steakhouse. On the other? A dive bar with a dance floor. Total opposites. Totally perfect.
I wore a new-to-me long sleeveless vest from Open Edit layered over a Spanx cami (because smoothing is self-care), with my blue Abercrombie barrel leg jeans and some strappy flat sandals—cute enough to dance in, comfy enough to commit.
Dinner turned into cocktails. The dance floor stayed empty, the crowd stayed… older. But we didn't care. We danced. We laughed. We were the youngest in the room by decades, and honestly? That just meant more room on the floor.
Vibe: Slightly dressed up, zero regrets
Wednesday: Desert to Coast Travel Fit
Travel look: After a couple of pool-soaked days in Palm Desert, it was time to head back to San Diego. I kept it cool, comfy, and cute in a brown Old Navy maxi dress—no waistband, no fuss, just a soft, breathable layer that handled the 100+ degree heat and long car ride like a champ.
Vibe: Breezy, No-Fuss, Ready for Anything
Wednesday Night: Tequila Tasting to Piano Bar
After a comfy road trip, we turned up the volume for a night out in San Diego—starting with a tequila tasting (yes, it was as fun as it sounds) and ending at a dueling piano bar that had us dancing and singing until past our bedtime. I wore an off-the-shoulder Abercrombie top paired with my go-to barrel-leg jeans and some kitten-heel sandals. I tossed on an oversized black blazer just in case the ocean breeze kicked in. I felt so good in this outfit—perfect for sipping tequila and singing at the top of my lungs with my college girls.
Vibe: Flirty, Confident, Night-Out Chic
Thursday: From the Marina to the Runway
Vibe: Coastal Cool Meets Travel Day
Practical
This was my last full day in San Diego—and it was packed. We spent the day adventuring on my girlfriend’s boat (zipping around the marina and docking in Coronado for drinks and apps), but I also had a 6 p.m. flight back to Anchorage. So I needed an outfit that could handle it all. I wore my stretchy barrel-leg pants from Gap (they’re cute and made for sitting for hours), a striped tank layered under my oversized denim jacket, and my trusty Birkenstocks. I carried my Longchamp tote to hold all the things—including snacks, layers, and whatever I picked up throughout the day. Comfortable, cute, and exactly what I needed to close out a perfect trip.
The Takeaway?
Here’s the thing I didn’t say out loud on the trip, but I will say it here. I know I’ve gained weight. I was the biggest of the five of us—and yes, I noticed. But I still put on the swimsuit. I still stood at the end of the group photo (the least flattering spot, by the way). But I still wore the suit. I still got in the picture. And you know what? It didn’t matter. They didn’t care. And more importantly—I didn’t let it stop me.
I laughed until I cried. I soaked up every second of sunshine, of wine, of old stories and new memories. The love was real. The history was deep. And the friendship? Still rock solid after 23 years. We picked up right where we left off, and it just felt like home.
The biggest reminder from this trip? Take the trip.
Even if your body looks different.
Even if your schedule is packed.
Even if it’s been way too long.
Say yes. Book the flight. Order the wine.
Take the damn picture.
Until next time, SoCal.