It’s Not Too Late to Have a “Tomato Girl Summer”— Here Are 6 Little Luxuries You Need

One of the lushest seasons of my life was when I lived in coastal North Carolina. I’d get fish from the market down the road, grill it to serve with fresh salads, and laze around the table with friends while the sun set, sipping wine out of jam jars and talking for hours. That is what TikTok is calling a tomato girl summer: It’s defined by small luxuries, pops of red, picnics, crochet farmers market bags, and long meals with friends. It’s sensual and lush, and there is linen involved.

“Tomato girl summer” has 37 million views on TikTok and is a nod to a coastal Mediterranean aesthetic. It’s an invitation to slow down and luxuriate in summer living. If you’re out of PTO, though, or feel like summer is winding down, don’t worry — you can have the tomato girl summer of your dreams right at home. Here are six little luxuries to help you embrace it. Get your Aperol spritz ready and prepare to peruse.

A true tomato girl summer means enjoying your guests as much as you can. This small olive tray by Busted Ceramics is the perfect grazing plate to add to the table. It says, “I’m hosting a gorgeous dinner, but it’s casual.” Fill it with the intended olives or other light snacks to graze on. Even if you’re just pulling what lives in the door of your fridge out, this plate takes the offerings to the next level. 

It’s worth following this small ceramicist on Instagram in order to scoop one of their tomato, veggie, or charcuterie mugs during their drops. Made individually and in small batches, they are the perfect weight in your hand and give a small nod to the tomato trend with your morning coffee. This lemon and garlic mug is the perfect savory start to your day. 

I want every linocut print from Incaiardo Prints, which features art with a focus on food. “Carving linocuts of food connects her to her family and the experience of bonding with others over a good meal,” states the Incaiardo Prints website — and there is nothing more tomato summer girl than that. Snag the obvious tomato print of beautiful heirloom tomatoes or go for something more subtle like garlic scapes. 

Cloth napkins aren’t just for special occasions. They’re meant to be tossed in picnic baskets and used to make everyday moments feel special, and these linen napkins from Emily Ruth Prints dress up a table without making it feel too formal. If you’d like to lean into the tomato aesthetic, these gingham cloth napkins from Etsy (or these herbaceous ones) are so sweet. 

A well-scented candle can completely transport you from your home to the Amalfi Coast. This Anecdote Candle embraces “Slow Living” (said to smell like “analog afternoons and quiet quarters” — yes, please), while this Homesick candle will make you feel like you’re at the farmers market, testing still-on-the-vine tomatoes for ripeness. My favorite, though, is this gorgeous eucalyptus, sea salt, redwood, and palo santo blend by P.F. Candle Co. It stays lit in my house throughout the summer.

Set an effortlessly chic and relaxed table with a linen tablecloth. This one from Urban Outfitters comes in a variety of hues, while this checkered tablecloth from Schoolhouse makes any meal feel like a sun-soaked picnic. I personally love this one from Chan Luu, or if your tomato girl summer needs more red, there’s this one for a pop of color.