Summer living

Not sure what you need to ease into summer? From beach towels to sunglasses, sunhats and more, here are all your summer essentials.

Beach towel

The top things to think about when buying a beach towel are make sure it absorbs water, its comfortable and soft when you wrap it around your body, it’s not too thick – as it will take longer to dry and that it is the right size for you. There’s nothing worse than lying on the beach on a too small towel.

Sunglasses

One of the most important things when buying sunglasses is that they offer the right protection. Look for a sticker or tag indicating that they block 100 percent of UV rays.

Bigger is better as they will give the eyes more protection and polarised lenses cut glare, but not UV. The frame is also worth considering when investing in a new pair. If you want them to last you should go for a timeless style rather than high fashion. Find a pair that is versatile and will go with everything whether you are heading to the beach or on your way to the office and you will have for years.

Whether you’re planning a relaxing staycation, taking a road trip or hitting the trails for some time outdoors, we’ve rounded up the best summer products to help you make the most of the warm weather. 

Summer bag

What style you go for is up to you, but just make sure its big enough to fit all your beach essentials but not too big that you can’t carry it easily. Straw bags are timeless and suit any summer occasion even away from the beach, but whatever your style compartments are helpful at storing all those little things keys, phone, wallet that always seem to go astray in large bags.

A sunhat

When going for a sun hat choose a wide brim for the best protection and make sure your hat covers your face and the back of your neck. A flatter crown is good if you have a long face but can also make you look shorter (if you want to that is) and a high crown is good for a shorter face (like a round or square face) and will also make you look taller. 

Sandals

The best shoes for the beach are flip flops and pool slides at they are waterproof, easy to slip on and off and are hard to ruin unlike leather if it gets wet. Solid neutral colours are timeless and will go with anything but if you want to have some fun, go for vivid hues or multi coloured styles. 

Sunscreen

You know the rules of summer, sunscreen is a must for any time spent outdoors and whether you are hitting the sand for an hour or all day long, you need to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. SPF 30 or 50 is ideal as it will protect you for longer but apply often especially after swimming. Suncream has come a long way and there are much better formulas too choose from. 

Water bottle

Taking your own water bottle is not only more sustainable as it stops unnecessary plastic buying it is healthier in these Covid times. Size and material are the key things you need think about when choosing a water bottle but also the details, like the shape, lid, handle and of course how easy it is to use and whether the design and style suits you.