LIFE

Picture this: It's a hot June day, and you're frolicking through speckled flower fields on the outskirts of a small Italian village. Your bare feet run through a trickling stream, splashing water on your airy sundress. This idyllic, sunshine-filled fantasy is one TikTok has dubbed a Sufjan Stevens summer. The indie folk singer-songwriter inspired an entire aesthetic built on late-night lake swims, long drives, road-tripping around and playing classical pieces on acoustic guitar. We're here to help you encapsulate this chill, sun-drenched vibe (whether you're in the Mediterranean or the Midwest).

Playlist 

@adriennekvaka

The most essential part of a Sufjan Stevens summer? Sufjan Steven, of course! With a couple similar songs from our fave artists (aka Taylor and Lana, the true classics), these are the tunes that you can blast through your speakers (or earbuds) all summer long. 

+ "Mystery of Love" by Sufjan Stevens
+ "Happiness is a butterfly" by Lana Del Rey
+ "Fourth of July" by Sufjan Stevens
+ "seven" by Taylor Swift
+ "Visions of Gideon" by Sufjan Stevens
+ "Like Real People Do" by Hozier
+ "Death with Dignity" by Sufjan Stevens
+ "A Summer Wasting" by Belle and Sebastian

Activities 

Whether you're staying at your grandparent's beach house all summer or heading to the mountains on your family's annual vacay, it's possible to find activities to make your summer of solace worthwhile. The best part? These pursuits don't require a huge friend group. In fact, spending time by yourself and going on solo dates is perhaps the most Sufjan Stevens-esque of all. 

+ Picnicking
+ Stargazing
+ Painting
+ Bike-riding
+ Playing a musical instrument
+ Watching the sunset
+ Baking
+ Reading outdoors
+ Hiking
+ Visiting the farmer's market

Outfits 

@shayrudolph

What's an aesthetically pleasing summer without equally awing fits? From June to August, this laid-back, riviera-inspired vibe will transport you straight into a movie like Luca. Get a hold of the wind-swept look with oversized button-ups, mid-length denim shorts, floral bikins, espadrilles, basket bags and vintage sneaks. 

Films

For those sticky summer days when the only thing to do is sit in front of the AC, we've put together a list of movies with total Sufjan vibes. Bonus points if you find foreign films or black-and-white movies!

+ Call Me by Your Name
+ Moonrise Kingdom
+ Lady Bird
+ Before Sunrise

Books

@matildadjerf

Finally, it wouldn't be a Sufjan Stevens summer without a plethora of literature to bring along on all your warm-weather adventures. Classics are always a go-to (we personally love the smell of old pages) as is poetry (we recommend Mary Oliver to transport you straight into an idyllic nature scene). But in case you're looking for a simpler YA-style read, here are some recs that fit the bill. 

+ Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
+ One Italian Summer
+ Malibu Rising
+ Every Summer After

Share your fave aspects of this aesthetic with us on Twitter @girlslifemag!

Slider image: @matildadjerf
GIFs via GIPHY

by Madeline Morrow | 6/22/2023