With summer in full swing and temperatures soaring, it’s time to indulge in the best bits of the season. Before we know it, the leaves will fall, the snow will roll in, and any memory of roaming around in shorts and cooling off at the beach will be distant.
There’s plenty to love about the later summer months. Personally, I think it’s one of the nicest times of year – you’ve gotten over the shock of the first heat, and have your routine for cooling off sorted, so all that’s left is to get a tan, go for a swim and bask in the late evening light.
Here are the hottest products you need to know about for every kind of August.
Beach days
There’s no better way to spend time in the sun than by the ocean. Sand in your toes, the soothing sound of crashing waves – it’s a universal pleasure.
Ensure you’re looking your best at the beach, with the Villebrequin Swim Shorts Tortues Multicolores offering tasteful elegance in its design. Pair them with a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers for a look with the kind of modern minimalism which signals you know your style without having to shout about it.
Once you’ve had a swim, dry off with this timeless Paul Smith Large Signature Stripe Beach Towel which would look as at home in a 1970s Polaroid as it does today. Finish it off by kicking back with some classic beach games – these Acqua di Parma Racchettoni Beach Paddles will look the part.
Off the beaten track
If your idea of a perfect summer involves more time in the trees than the sand, we’ve got you covered. Pack up those raisins and peanuts, and let’s get hiking!
In the heat, a good pair of hiking shorts is essential. The ThruDark Oryon Shorts offer UV protection, stacks of pockets and a lightweight, breathable material, which is perfect for this environment. Pair them up with the Jack Wolfskin Wild Hike Texapore Mid M, a pair of hiking boots so fashionable that no one would bat an eyelid if you wore them every day.
You’ll also need a bag, and while you can go bigger, the Patagonia Terravia Hip Pack 4L should be enough for shorter routes, or as a quick-access bag alongside a larger pack. It matches the styling of the boots, too. All that’s left to decide is what to put in it. You could go with anything, really, but we’d start with a Leatherman Arc, with 20 different tools ensuring you’re covered for every eventuality.
Beat the heat
With all this talk of swimming and hiking, some of us will simply want to keep cool, by any means possible. Fortunately, there’s a lot of cool products out there to help with that.
This DREO TurboCool Misting Fan 765S is without doubt the best fan I’ve ever used, spraying an ultra-fine mist in front of the fan to drop temperatures by up to 43 degrees. Alternatively, you could dry the Sony Reon Pocket 5, which focuses entirely on cooling the body temperature of a single user.
Personally, I think there are more fun ways of cooling off. The Ninja Slushi Twist offers an at home solution for creating slushies and frozen drinks, with two canisters and a twist function for swirled combinations. And if that’s still too much effort, indulge in a tub of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream – there are lots of great flavours, but the Strawberry Matcha Latte might be my pick of the bunch.
Ready for the golf
With the next round of the PGA Tour taking place in Atlanta at the end of the month, golf fans will be getting prepared to tune into the action. Whether you’re planning to head over and watch live, or you’ll be enjoying the action from the comfort of home, you can make the experience even better with a few simple tweaks.
If you will be watching from the side of the fairway, this Ralph Lauren RLX Polo Shirt is the perfect way to look stylish while keeping your love of the game on show. Pair it with the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (Gen 2) glasses to capture memories of the action exactly as you remember them, without needing to faff around with your phone.
Whether you’re there or not, every golfer needs a good golfing watch. They don’t come much more stylish and capable than the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 Golf Edition, which offers comprehensive assistance when on the course. And if you are watching from home, you’ll need some light refreshments – snag yourself a Pinter 3 for foolproof home-brewed beer.
Festival chic
Festival season is upon us, and it’s the time of year when looking your best is paramount. Whether you’re heading for Lollapalooza or one of the many smaller events, this is your moment to look sharp and stylish.
Kick off with this Wax London Didcot Multicolour Painted Shapes Shirt which is simply made for dancing the night away. Next up are the shades, and while everyone else is kitted out in the usual suspects, EB Meyrowitz’s The Sicilian in Black will keep you looking slick and turning heads.
Next, let’s turn our attention to your sneakers. If you’re on your feet all day, you’ll want something comfortable, but still stylish. The Nike Air Jordan 1 High OG Khaki seems like the perfect option, offering support and a fashion forward look. Last, but not least, throw this Stubble & Co Crossbody bag on to keep all of your belongings in place.
BBQ Season
There’s rarely an occasion where barbecuing isn’t a solid option, but in the midst of the summer sunshine, it’s a great way to spend the day.
Kick it off with the Weber Performer Premium – a grill with a raft of smart features to make smoking your favourite meats a breeze. Add in the Meater Block if you’re keen to ensure the perfect cook for every item, complete with four thermometers for checking internal temperature.
Away from the food, it’s time for a party, which means we need a speaker. There are lots of options here, but the new Marshall Bromley 750 is a solid pick, and can even become a karaoke machine if the night goes that way. And what barbecue would be complete without a good drop of whiskey – Aberlour A’bunadh has just been named the world’s best scotch, so why not tickle your tastebuds with a glass or two.