BTS: From Dive Bars to All-Day Adventures in Beach Haven

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Behind the Scenes: Building the We’re Going Out Collection

Every collection has a backstory, and the We’re Going Out collection is proof that the best moments often happen off-script. What began as a vision for an edgy, one-location bar shoot quickly evolved into a spontaneous, all-day exploration of Beach Haven, NJ — capturing looks that feel just as authentic as the lives we imagine them in.

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The Original Plan: Dive Bar Dreams

When we styled the looks in advance, the direction was clear: sleek lace, sheer layers, asymmetric cuts, and cozy knits that beg to be worn on a night out. The location? A favorite neighborhood bar — cash-only, neon jukebox glowing, pool balls clicking in the background. We imagined a moody edit that lived entirely within those four walls.

But fashion has a way of writing its own script. When we arrived in Beach Haven and laid the collection out, it became obvious not every piece belonged to nightlife. Some looks felt breezy, perfect for coffee and conversation. Others carried an effortless, casual energy better suited for daylight hours. Instead of pushing them into the original narrative, we pivoted.

The Pivot: We’re Going Out Anytime, Anywhere

The shift opened up a new story — not just “a night out,” but every version of stepping into the world, whether it’s morning, afternoon, or evening.

• Coffee Date Fit: Bay Village’s brick walkways and charming alleys provided the backdrop for an easygoing, latte-in-hand moment.
• Happy Hour Vibes: A soda cup and a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos from 7-Eleven became last-minute props, reminding us that happy hour can be found anywhere.
• Night Out Staples: The original bar setting still had its moment, with tanks for late-night drinks and knits for chilly walks home.

The result? A collection with range — versatile, relatable, and reflective of the many ways “going out” exists in real life.

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Scrappy Shoots, Authentic Stories

Our shoots are styled in advance, but never over-produced. Everything gets packed into one bag, and we change on-site — whether that’s an alley, a car, or a tucked-away corner. It’s scrappy, yes, but it keeps the energy raw and the results authentic.

This shoot came with its own hurdles. The original date was washed out by wind and rain, pushing us to reschedule and stretch our previous edit a little longer. But when we returned the following week, the skies cleared to a perfect off-season day: crisp air, quiet streets, the faint sound of waves carrying through town.

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The Beach Haven Backdrop

Beach Haven is the beating heart of Long Beach Island nightlife, but it’s more than bars and late nights. It’s fresh seafood dinners, cozy coffee shops, and that unique mix of “home away from home” comfort with vacation-town energy. Shooting off-season gave us another layer of atmosphere: quieter streets, chilly air, and a slower pace that let us notice every detail. It’s this blend — part local, part escape — that made the We’re Going Out collection feel both universal and distinctly rooted in place.

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The Crew That Made It Happen

Big productions aren’t our style. The shoot came together with a small but powerhouse team:

• Our model, who could make any frame look like a Vogue cover.
• Our founder, the visionary behind the concept, pulling looks, props, and locations together.
• Our e-commerce team, capturing photography and social snippets side by side, making sure nothing got missed — from polished lookbook shots to candid behind-the-scenes moments.

It was intimate, energetic, and perfectly reflective of Coco Kimono’s DNA: creative, flexible, and community-driven.

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A Mood Board Come to Life

The vision board that guided the edit was full of textures and quirks — neon signage, vintage magazines, cocktails, snacks. Seeing it materialize in real locations across Beach Haven gave the collection a scrapbook quality. It felt spontaneous, lived-in, and real — like a series of snapshots you might string together from a weekend away with friends.

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A New Way to Shop

To showcase the edit, we reimagined our homepage layout. Each outfit was given its own spotlight, almost like a digital lookbook, where customers can shop directly from the styled shots. It feels more interactive than ever before — flipping through not just clothing, but stories.

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Why This Collection Matters

The We’re Going Out collection is about more than clothing. It’s about storytelling, adaptability, and letting each piece decide where it belongs — whether that’s a latte on brick walkways, a neon-lit night out, or a snack run that turns into a memory. It’s about creating space for all the in-between moments that make life fun.

The best part? This edit reminded us that style isn’t about rigid plans — it’s about saying yes to spontaneity, laughing through outfit changes in the car, and finding joy in the unexpected.

At the end of the day, that’s what fashion is meant to do: make you feel ready for whatever the day (or night) throws your way. So grab your look, grab your girls, and go out — wherever the day takes you. 🖤