The evaluation of Belly’s journey reaches its most powerful point in the final two episodes of The Summer I Turned Pretty. What we see is not just a girl stepping away from a complicated love triangle but someone stepping into herself. Self-love is revealed in the way she no longer hides behind oversized layers or the opinions of the Fisher boys. She is no longer defined by someone else’s gaze. Instead, she discovers a new version of herself in Paris, a place that holds space for reinvention and reflection.
The places we go have the power to transform us. They influence the way we carry ourselves, the way we choose to dress, and the way we allow others to see us. A city does not carry our history or predict our future. It simply meets us where we are in that moment, offering us the chance to decide who we want to be.
Paris, as one of the great fashion capitals of the world, was the perfect stage for Belly’s growth. Her decision to go there was not accidental. It was an unspoken search for clarity and self-discovery. In Paris, she found space away from external voices, free from Fisher boys and their declarations of what makes her beautiful. It was the first time she could begin to define her identity without outside influence, shaping her own sense of style, confidence, and femininity.
We see this change most vividly in the way she dresses. Belly emerges from behind the comfort of sweatshirts and the safety of “coastal grandma” outfits, stepping into looks that reflect her blossoming confidence. Her clothing becomes a reflection of her newfound freedom: elevated, intentional, and alive with possibility. Each outfit whispers that she is no longer hiding. She is embracing the joy of being seen.
Fashion, in many ways, is one of the purest expressions of self-love. The clothes we choose are not just fabric; they have the power to shift our moods, to remind us of our strength, and to reflect the stories we want to tell about ourselves. European fashion has long understood this. It teaches us that we are the occasion, that we can take risks, experiment with unlikely combinations, and still carry ourselves with confidence. It pushes us to embrace the idea that style is not about following rules but about writing your own.
That is why Belly’s Paris moment feels so significant. It is not just a wardrobe change. It is an awakening. It is a reminder that when we dress with intention, we can fall in love with ourselves in entirely new ways.
So here is the challenge I leave with you: step into your own version of Paris. Open your closet and choose pieces that you might have overlooked, the ones you have been saving for “someday.” Try pairing them in ways you never thought possible, and give yourself permission to take risks. Rediscover why fashion has always been a part of your story. Let it remind you of who you are in this moment. And if you are ready to take that exploration even further, explore our latest collection and see what pieces call to the person you are becoming.