Gen Z's Guide to Summer — Love and Be Weird Before We All Die

PDA is in and vapes and cigarettes are out.

The weather is warming up, and I can see the joy in strangers’ faces when I pass them on the street. We all feel a little bit kinder, happier and more hopeful — or at least I do. I’m dreaming about summer, which is rare, because I’m usually not super into it (the sun hates me and mosquitos love me), but I’m feeling particularly excited this year.

I reached out to my resident Gen Z expert — my wonderful sister-in-law who lives in Brooklyn with her college friends and loves the Park Slope Food Coop (love you, Elizabeth) — and she delivered. “Love and be weird before we all die,” one of her friends said. And yes, I’m in.

The group chat kicked off Summer 2025 last night at Bamonte’s in Williamsburg.

“It’s the summer of going looney toons,” and dancing is back. You heard it here first. Dancing never left for me, so I’m going to put together a list of the best places to dance in New York for paid subscribers.

Here’s a definitive guide to what’s in, according to Gen Z girlies — my sister-in-law’s group chat and my brothers’ girlfriends — and some of my Millennial friends. And yes, these are direct quotes.

Summer 2025 is the summer of:

• Girlhood

• Friendship

• Hardcore joy

• Short dresses over long skirts

• Little sweet treats

• Fulfilled promises to oneself

• Uninhibited pleasure

• Dancing is back

• Tabi shoes

• Pumas

• Ballet flat sneakers

• PDA is back

• Released inhibitions

• Spending money on little happy things

• Digital cameras

• Chosen family dinners

• Curiosity

• Abundance

• Open doors

• Endless possibilities and opportunities

• Rules out the window

• Bikinis for everybody

• Tropical vacations

• Puffy heart necklaces

• Flowy white sets

• Pool Blue by Benjamin Moore

• Euro-inspired outfits styled with flip flops

• House parties

• Trader Joe’s mini bagels

• SPF 45 minimum

• Impromptu trips

• Contrast therapy

• Kicking your feet and giggling

• The radio

• Flip phones

• Nostalgia

• Ballet flats

• Aperol spritz on the beach

• Mezcal margs without agave

• Champagne

What’s OUT:

• Having your phone out

• Working 24/7

• Cigarettes

• Vapes

• Clean girl aesthetic

• Being negative

• Haters

• Dating apps

• One-piece swimsuits

• Lame boyfriends

• Mean girl vibes

• Bluetooth speakers at the beach

• Insecurity

Love and be weird before we all die. Thanks for being here.