What I Wore On A Girls' Trip

Casual outfits for a weekend getaway up the coast

A few weeks back I went on a jaunty trip up the coast for a girls’ weekend. An annual retreat to celebrate and soak in “us,” uninterrupted. Our friendship is old enough to be a high schooler, if you can believe it. I think the key to our success and longevity as a group is our differences. We’re a well-balanced hexagon of six. Made up of a smattering of Types A and B that makes planning trips like these a blast. Within our six there’s a bond between us all, but also the opportunity to break off into pairs or trios based on the niche degree of our interests. Like I said: balanced. The only downside to a group of our size is we’ve had to stumble, cackling, into two different taxis at the end of many a late night over the years.

Another important aspect of maintaining a friendship with a group so large is how equally we’re all committed to making time for it. The shifting tides of life that might make reconnecting hard (relocating for work, tiny humans entering the chat, the ongoing stressful monotony of work/sleep/eat/repeat) have only made it more clear to all of us how important it is to make time for one another. After a few years’ hiatus (see aforementioned tiny humans / pregnancy), we finally revived the all-important girls trip.

Luckily for us in Vancouver, there are so many incredible places that are a days’ trip away. Depending on your vibe there’s the Kelowna area for a dry desert heat and wineries, Whistler / Squamish for a stunning mountain escape, or to head west via boat to any of our island chains off the coast. This year, we opted for the latter by heading up the Sunshine Coast to Gibsons - a tiny, charming little seaside community only a 40 minute ferry from the mainland.

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Friday

We hopped an afternoon ferry, grateful to have been able to sneak on without reservations. Generally speaking if you’re traveling during peak times by ferry in the Lower Mainland, a reservation is always recommended.

The ferry to Gibsons is so quick you usually barely have time to go for a jaunt around the observation deck and grab a classic BC Ferries bite from White Spot before you’re already docking on the other side. If you ever plan a trip to Gibsons, I do recommend having a car with you for the most convenience as travel from the ferry terminal to where all the action is is a trek. Although there is a regular bus line that does take you all over the community, albeit in languishing switchbacks.

Not pictured: The baseball cap that went flying and was nearly lost to the sea. A reminder to all that proper boat attire eliminates hats and skirts/dresses.

The general vibe in Gibsons is relaxed. It’s coastal and unbothered. Time moves a bit differently there. Slower. With that in mind, I chose my weekend ‘fits to be equally as laidback. Which led me to basically all linen - wrinkles be damned. I know some people love the summery lightness of the fabric but abhor the wrinkles and will seek to frantically steam them out in between every sit down. I am not that person. I love the lived-in feel and decided to just let the wrinkles be. As the saying in the area goes: “Relax - this ain’t the mainland.” These wide leg linen trousers are so comfortable, but are more polished than, say, an elasticated waist pair might be. My ideal summer pant. Even for my fellow pear shaped girls, I recommend staying true to size.

Our abode for the weekend, tucked amongst the trees.

Once on the other side, we checked into our Airbnb - a very charming cabin with stunning views of all that the west coast (best coast) has to offer. The two bedrooms plus sleeping loft was enough room for the six of us but, in a pinch, we could have sprawled an extra two on the cushy sofas in the living room.

The two main reasons we picked this spot were for the beautiful patio and …

I personally love / prefer a one piece. As is often the case, the simpler something is the more the details matter. I love the brown color, the not-too-high cut of the leg, the square neck, and the slightly sexy strappy back of this one from Arket.

… the sauna.

With really only one full day of the trip, we knew our travel days were going to be very chill. After a quick shvitz thanks to a new one piece (very well priced, might I add) we headed out to Gibsons’ main (and, ahem, only - hah) strip for dinner and drinks.

For a chill dinner out, a white tank (w/ a built-in bra!), wide leg linen trousers, sneakers, and a preppy striped sweater was breezy and perfect. Plus a Mary Poppins straw bag that fit everything and then some.

For this night we grabbed tacos and split a pitcher of margaritas amongst us six at Lunitas (it was, after all, the most economical choice). Following that, a quick trip up and around the block for nightcaps on the patio at The Station.

Truthfully, the best part of Lunitas is the view from the patio (below). The tacos and burrito bowls were serviceable. But the view? Well worth the price of admission.

By contrast, the mezcal negroni at The Station was perhaps one of the best I’ve ever had. On top of that, the patio views were even more sweeping of the harbour than Lunitas.

After a moonlit beach walk it was back to the Airbnb for the evening. We managed to squeeze in one more sauna session before divulging into a late night session of yapping between old friends.

Picture you and your closest friends, skipping rocks into the Strait as the world turns blue, full of tacos and good cocktails and the sweetest memories being formed. Ahh.

One thing I’ve also learned about the evolution of girls’ trips into your 30s? Dinner starts at 5pm and ends at 8pm - at the latest. The closest we come to outfit coordination is accidentally matching sweatpants. Makeup is removed and full skincare routines get done. To grow with people is to experience the fond years-long whiplash of exchanging tequila shots at the club for mocktails on a couch. Growing old is a privilege. Growing old with your favorite people? A true gift.

Saturday

We had a lazy start at the Airbnb the following morning. Something about being in your 30s and two drinks is one and a half too many. Think bagels and drip coffee and the silence of being amongst the people who know and love you best as you all silently pore over the novels you each brought for the weekend on a patio overlooking the water.

Absolute. Bliss.

When we finally managed to get dressed and haul ourselves out of the house, we meandered up and down the main drag of Gower Point Road. One of the best parts of visiting a quiet, sleepy little town is toddling into and out of charmingly kitschy little gift shops. Picking up a candle here, a wind chime of seashells there - you get the idea. The silly bits and bobs you find tucked away, in the back, on a high shelf. When we’d sufficiently popped into every little store on the strip, we grabbed lunch at Tapworks - delish. The patio and beers were real treats. I was literally on the last bite of my burger before I remembered to take a photo — because that’s the kind of pro documentarian I am.

Another day, another pair of linen trousers. These ones were a left field pick for me both for their elasticated waist and funky color. I have to say, they’ve been one of my go-tos ever since I got them. They’re been just the best when I want to be presentable, but comfy, for WFH days. A crisp white oxford, my go-to cotton tee, elevated flip flops, and the bag that fits it all finished off the ‘fit.

Signs of a weekend well watered and fed.

One of my favorite places to stop when in Gibsons is Sunday Cider. The glasses of snappy cider are lovely, of course. But so is the atmosphere. A grassy area carved out from a copse of evergreens. Lawn games scattered about. Food trucks on rotation. Oh, and Sunday also carries the most precious miniature pints of Little Spoon ice cream for a sweet treat to end a flight with.

Summer, in an image.

The dreamiest!

Of course, the biggest draw of Saturday was that time we all got matching tattoos.

The tattoo parlor was so tiny we could only go in two at a time. This made for some fun peeping from outside hehe. Healing now - just a bit flaky!

I know, I know. Lead buried. Meep! After talking about it for ages, we all solidified our friendship in ink with tiny matching “j”s — a bit of slangy homage to where we first met at what’s known as “j” school, or “journalism school.” My friend Cass had scribbled out a handful of potential “j”s until we collectively narrowed in on a winner. We all opted to choose our own placements. The crook of an elbow, the curve of a hip - whatever felt most comfortable to each of us. I chose my inner ankle. And after years of a tattoo dry spell (I got four in near rapid succession in my early 20s), I fear that I’ve broken the seal and I’m thinking of adding more. (Perhaps, after all this time, a Taylor tattoo is in the cards!)

For our last dinner, we headed to a different spot on the water for pizza and pasta. The view was stunning. The service / food not so much so I shan’t rec it here. But what I can recommend is a good linen mini dress.

I used to feel limited by summer dresses, thinking they exclusively needed to be worn with equally summery sandals. But I’ve been getting so much more wear out of dresses when I unlocked the concept that you can wear a fall-esque shoe with them like a dark animal print flat or a suede loafer.

One more for the bag that does it all!

Sunday

All too quickly, it was time to head home.

I didn’t snag a picture, but out of ingenuity I decided to simply remix my outfits from the two days prior to make for an all black moment for the return ferry. No-nonsense, comfortable, monochrome. Done and dusted. The power of Indyx for outfit documentation!

Our luck even held for the journey home because we once again managed to snag a spot on the ferry without a reservation. The relief! We were scurrying to catch an early boat back, but if we’d had time I’d recommend grabbing a morning bite at Molly’s Reach and a coffee (+ donut) to go from Beachcomber. I also highly recommend The Shortcut for a cheeky, diner-style breakfast. Best eaten al fresco from the back of a car, hood up or tailgate down — model depending.

Will take a photo in any reflective surface. // A descent into giggles, courtesy of being up past midnight.

One last blissful look at the water before departing.

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