Meg's guide to packing light and looking right.
Every summer, Meg disappears to a cabin in the middle of nowhere, Canada. Extended family. Lake water. Zero fashion for miles. And every summer, she figures out how to pack six pieces and make them work for a week.
This is the first in a new series where we break down Meg's lives into something useful: where she's going, what she's wearing, and why those pieces. Consider it a packing philosophy — with very specific recommendations.
Because here's the thing about lake dressing, or cabin dressing, or "visiting your friend upstate" dressing: there's a slippery slope. Meg tells this story about her mom — a very chic New York woman — who goes to the lake and by week's end has stopped wearing makeup, stopped washing her hair, and is living in one solid-color t-shirt like she's entered witness protection. We've all been there. The goal is to not fully surrender.
You don't need to be the most fashionable person at the lake. You just need to feel right.
WHERE
A cottage in the middle of nowhere, Canada. A week-long family reunion. The kind of place where nobody is thinking about clothes — which is exactly why you should.
As Meg puts it: "It's a place that has absolutely zero fashion. But you know, I'm a fashion designer, so you've got to show up sometimes. You don't want to look at a place, but you definitely want to look better than everybody else. I'm just going to say it out loud."
WHAT
The entire trip, built from a handful of pieces that work together:
Getting There
It's an eight-hour drive. You need to be cozy. Meg's move: jogger terry pants, the 80s top, Birkenstocks. That's it. The Birks will not be leaving her feet for the entire trip — "which is sad and definitely time for a better shoe, but not for the lake house."
Both the jogger pant and the 80s top are on sale right now.
Arrival Cocktails
You've arrived. Everyone's gathering for drinks and dinner. You're not going to be weird and disappear to shower and change into a whole new outfit while everyone else is in sweatpants — that would be strange. But you can excuse yourself to the bathroom, clean up a little, put on some lipstick (people might look at you weird, but as Meg says, "fuck you, it's okay to try a little"), and add one piece of jewelry. A dangly earring. Something you keep in your purse for exactly this moment.
That's it. Same bones, slightly elevated. You're not overdressed. You just feel like yourself.
Morning Market Run
The next morning, you're heading to the farmer's market for fresh fruit. Meg's move: a novelty tee — something fun, a little playful — with jean shorts and Birks. "It gets a lot of conversation at the stands. You make some friends. You're just like, hey, I'm chill."
The novelty tee is underrated. It signals that you're not taking yourself too seriously — which is the whole point of being at the lake.
Hiking
Now everyone wants to go for a hike. You're in the woods. You need shorts. And here's where Meg shares what she calls the Adam Sandler shorts trick.
"When you have legs like mine, you've got to find the right length and width so you don't feel stubby. So we buy men's jean shorts — like a size 46 waist. Then you take a shoelace, or a scarf, or whatever you have, and you thread it through three belt loops, make like a little cinch, and tie it. Now you've got the perfect shape."
She learned this from her daughter Bea. It works.
And then — socks with Birkenstocks.
Yes.
Meg's argument: "You're in the woods. It's where ticks live. The 80s slouchy sock with the Birkenstock — we are going German." She's not wrong. There's a whole European tradition of this. German tourists in tiny Adidas shorts, socks to the knee, Birkenstocks, very comfortable in their bodies. Meg just bought XL Adidas shorts to get in on this energy.
The trick is where the sock hits. "Wherever you're getting thinner on the leg — that's where the sock should land. A little slouchy, a little fun."
Casual Dinner
The evening comes. You've showered. You want to look good but not like you're trying. Meg's formula: scoop-neck tee, barrel jeans (or any good jeans you have), and a drama earring.
"This is the 'that bitch looks a little better than everybody else' formula. And it's like — why? Because you put on an earring and lipstick. That's it. Zero eyes, done."
The new scoop neck tees just came in — great neckline, slightly sexy, good schlubby cotton. The barrel jeans drop at the end of August. But any high-waisted jean with a good wash will do.
Day Trip to Town
The next day you're heading to a cute little town with friends. Walking around, maybe lunch, nothing fancy. Meg's wearing the stripe set — the harem short and blousy top. High-waisted, easy, cool. Add a nice pair of shades.
"This can work for a barbecue, a tiny casual cocktail party — it's just a lovely little vibe."
Boat Day into Evening
Here's where the packing-light philosophy really shines. You're on a boat in your bathing suit. The afternoon comes, and you're starting to burn without realizing it. Throw on the capey shirt over your shoulders — it's a cover-up, a sun shield, a nice little cape moment.
Then when evening comes, you just... button it. Throw on your shorts. Done. Same pieces, two moments. You've used all your clothes correctly.
"I love the idea of opening your suitcase and knowing that this goes with that and that works for this moment. Think through the foreseeable events. Then you know you've got the right clothes."
Heading Home
It's the last morning. Coffee with everyone in a cute tee and shorts — "like an elevated PJ situation." Then you change for the drive: the Scorpio pants and a beautiful blouse. Comfy for the long haul, but you still look like you know what you're doing.
Meg loves the Scorpio pant for travel: "It's like you want to be in pajamas, but you're looking like you know."
WHY
The philosophy is simple: pack light, mix and match, make every piece do double duty.
Know that you need one thing for travel. One thing for daytime. One thing that transitions. One thing for evening. A white tee, a white shirt, a good pair of jeans — those should always be in your bag. Then a few tops, a pair of shorts, and that's it.
And always — always — bring a lipstick, a pair of earrings, and a good pair of shades. That's your luxury. That's what separates "I've given up" from "I'm at the lake but I still feel like myself."
As Meg says: "It's not about being extravagant. It's about feeling right. The fit is right. You wake up in the morning and you feel good. That's enough. That's elevated."
The CBF Takeaway
Here's what I'm walking away with: the lake is where style goes to die if you let it. The slippery slope is real. But it doesn't take much to hold the line. Think a good earring, a lipstick you actually like, clothes that fit and work together.
The oversized jean shorts with a shoelace belt? I'm trying it.
The socks and Birks? I'm... considering it.
And the formula of "same outfit plus one piece of jewelry and you're suddenly the best-dressed person at dinner"? That's just good life advice.
— Sheri XO
80s Jogger Terry Pant — on sale
80s Top — on sale
Novelty Tee (Maple leaf)
Barrel Jeans — dropping end of August
Stripe Set — Harem Short + Circle Pocket Top
Secret Top — on sale (CBF loves the chocolate)
Cami Dress in Gingham
Coming next: Jordan reports back from Martha's Vineyard. And later this month: a sneak peek at the new collection.
