If you are an avid internet user like the rest of us, there is a high chance that you have come across the expression “hot girl summer.” You may ask yourself, “What exactly is a hot girl summer?” or more importantly, “How and where can I participate?” 

It is not just a phrase coined by Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion—it’s a lifestyle. Having the attitude and confidence to do whatever pleases you, regardless of other’s opinions, is the essence of a hot girl mindset. Contrary to the gendered bias, hot girl summer is genderless. It’s ageless. It doesn’t conform to just one particular look, style, body type, relationship status, or behavior. 

Thus, the beauty of emboldening your inner hot girl is that it’s entirely yours to own and makeshift. It’s based uniquely on doing whatever makes you happiest. Whether that’s taking a spontaneous vacation, hitting the textbooks, or even binge-watching the newest season of Stranger Things, anything goes.

Here are a few tips & tricks to make your ideal hot girl summer a reality:

Self-care, people

  Self-care is a constant but potent reminder that you are deserving of some breathing space. If you’re in need of some TLC and want a pampering day at the spa with mani-pedis, facials, and massages, go for it! Or if cozying up at home with a good book and a cup of tea is your niche, lean into that. You can define what self-care means in your life.

 Chase those goals—and don’t slow down for anybody

As in life itself, there are no boundaries or limitations to having a hot girl summer. Are you grinding through a summer semester of school? Hustling through a job or internship? Revamping your small business? Kudos to you for embracing the unique version of what your summer looks like. The key here is to approach each day with a positive mindset and not let anyone make you feel that your ambitions are less than what they’re worth. It will pay off in August.

Travel & Unravel 

COVID-19 mandates are slowly but surely being lifted and people are fortunately getting their vaccines. We understand the enduring beach FOMO and laying out (socially distanced) in your cutest bathing suit is an instant way to start off your hot girl summer the safe way.

Shimmer in self-love

Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” He could have easily and just as eloquently said, “Have a hot girl summer” because being yourself is the entire premise of the [hot girl summer] mentality. Step one in embracing your most authentic self? Self-love. Self-love looks different for everyone. For some, it's admitting, accepting, and owning their worth as is. Whether that be slipping into your favorite swimsuit and taking some bomb poolside pictures for your feed or putting yourself and your needs first, mastering the art of self-love takes time. Luckily, our girl Meg is here to cheer us on along the way, regardless of the skin, body, or style we rock.

At the end of the day, hot girl summer is about elevating your confidence and growing into a better version of yourself. Give yourself permission to live your truth. Harness that big Stallion mood and rock your fave swimsuits while having a night out with some great people and flamingo-shaped pool floats. However, you choose to spend the next few months, remember this: hot girl summer is for all the astrological signs, all the temperatures, and all the decades. Hot girl summer is the magic we make for ourselves, and there's more than enough time left on the calendar to have one.

Written by Larissa Villegas & Samhita Anapu, Photography by Sophia Howard, Design by Bailey Kelley, Media by Sarahi Majalca