tomato girl summer
tomato drink, tomato poetry, tomato outfits! 🍅
I know I’m late to the party on this one, but I don’t mind. 2024 is my tomato girl summer. Tomatoes are a culinary catalyst in a palette of summery eye candy. They’re juicy, sweet, savory, tangy—everything craveable.
a tomato poem
TOMATO JAM i've been touching tomato so much there’s pulp on the faucet the spoon handle the cabinet knobs i don’t know if the pulp is coming from the dishes or from me the fridge is full of it tomato-raspberry jam-filled jars syrups that settle into savory sugar layers shelves of red and pink some belated valentines i’m finally getting around to mailing just in time for strawberries i’ve spent so much time touching you my hands remember when we divide like the ventricles of an heirloom the ghost of you stains my kitchen scarlet and rose, we were messy as hell but such craveable candy blistered in olive oil we break down in the heat get sweeter right up until we char i quarter cherry tomatoes suffocate them in raw sugar leave them to macerate themselves, and i think of you
I’m not the only one still on tomatoes. This summer, I’ve seen new clothes, recipes, tomato-scented candles, even tomato hand soap. My favorite brands are putting out unapologetically red dresses, kitschy food prints, linen lounge sets, etc. The feed feed is full of tomato cocktails, tomato memes, tomato salads. My friends are making tomato sandwiches and using heirlooms as currency.
left to right / top to bottom:
1. Selkie the new era garden party dress 2. For Love & Lemons Carla mini dress 3. FL&L Margot mini dress 4. Free People Florence bed jacket set 5. FL&L Anisa fringe midi dress 6. Lirika Matoshi pics dress
I can’t afford these pieces but can draw inspo from them. (I definitely stalk the sales at Free People and FL&L.)
Eating is hard. I’m a highly anxious person who tends to snack rather than sit down for a meal. My hyperfixation meal has remained roughly the same my entire adult life: pasta with grape tomatoes and sometimes a green. It’s the only meal I can always finish. How are the blistered tomatoes sweet and sour like a candy, but savory and satisfying like a veggie? More importantly, how do I turn it into a coffee drink? (Stay tuned.)
That’s when I stumbled upon the tomato girl summer trend. The general idea & inspiration is European summer—playful, adventurous, and centered around good food. The tomato girl cooks with fresh produce from her backyard garden, strolls leisurely to the farmer’s market, lays on a Mediterranean beach and catches a tan while reading poetry, listens to Frank Sinatra late in the evening and dances in the kitchen. I’m not really that girl, but I could be.
some key details
head scarves sunscreen gingham food prints tomato red, neutrals, spots of green & blue cotton & linen lace & crochet details puff sleeves, ruffles, sweetheart necklines gold jewelry
in my closet
Urban Outfitters cottagecore romper: this is actually too short, and I changed after this pic, but it’s giving Disney princess hiding out in a cottage in the woods, and I love it. 1960s tomato red mini dress: I thrifted this because it seemed special, but it never seemed like it was for me. I only wore it out because I was inspired by tomato girl summer, and I discovered I love wearing it. 1970s rose pattern mini dress: I nicknamed this dress the Rosie McFall dress, and I won’t explain. Another thrifted find I ended up rarely wearing, but with some bike shorts, it makes me feel so cute and comfy. Free People gingham maxi skirt: I love this skirt, but I actually think it’s time to retire it because the waistline is starting to pinch. I’m not going to stop eating pasta and cake, sooo.
make up and skin care
Tomato girl makeup is so simple, even I could do it. It’s basically just cheeks, lips, and fake freckles (which I’m not brave enough to attempt). A tan is also imperative.
I used - Herbivore’s nova and super nova brightening serums - Dermatology’s universal tinted sunscreen - rms beauty’s lip2cheek in beloved - Thrive liquid lash extensions mascara in brynn
tomato girl tonic
I’m a raspberry girl, in my heart. Kissing cousin to the strawberry girl, I tend towards a deeper pink. Raspberries are pure confection. They’re the candy of fruit. I combined them with tomatoes because they’re both sweet and tangy, acidic and bright. I wanted to pull out fruit notes from the tomatoes. They’re berries too, after all. This syrup is delicious in espresso tonics, margaritas, or just sparkling water/wine. It’s quickly become one of my favorite recipes.