Holiday Checklist
Whichever type of holiday you have planned this summer, packing the right bits can often be an overwhelming task. One thing that’s certain is that you’re probably going to need plenty of t-shirts, shorts, a pair of sandals, some sort of headwear and potentially swim shorts. Our Holiday Checklist is designed to ease the packing process and fully equip you to enjoy your holiday from start to finish.
If you’ve a city-break planned this summer, a pair of sandals can combat that inner city heat. Let’s be honest, that sweaty feet feeling is far from ideal. For beach-bound folk sandals are crucial, that’s obvious though isn’t it. Japanese label Suicoke make some unreal, high-performance sandals that’ll be just the ticket, the Vibram sole gives gives you the added benefit of all-day comfort.
Okay we’re stating the obvious here but if you’re off to someplace with a pool or a beach then swim shorts are a basic fundamental. The Patagonia Baggies are a classic part of the Patagonia product roster every summer season and handy features include side pockets, a snap rear pocket and a quick drying fabric that makes them ultra dependable.
With the sun beating down on you all day long, holiday headwear is essential. The sun takes it’s toll on that old cranium of yours, it’s important to look after things like ones head. Our cap offering is plentiful with a selection of different styles from Filson, Norse Projects, Fjallraven and Patagonia.
If you’re anything like us then packing the right number of t-shirts is high up on the agenda; one for each day and one for every evening – that’s basically a stack of tees. The Our Legacy Perfect T-Shirt is, as the brand say themselves, just perfect and it’s ideal for any holiday. One not enough? Shop all t-shirts.
How to choose the right bag
Shopping around for the perfect bag can quite quickly turn into a strenuous task should you not apply some filters. From backpacks to shoulder bags to holdalls, which style best suits your needs? Either way functionality needs to be high up on the priority list, after all, a bag’s primary responsibilty is to carry around all your stuff. Additional considerations are comfort, accessibility, pockets, pouches, materials and so on. You want something that’s going to stand the test of time so consider your purchase and respect the process. Similar to your wallet or watch, a bag can speak volumes about ones character and choosing one that aligns with your lifestyle is crucial. We’ve selected a handful of our favourites and in short, described why they’re contenders.
One of the most instantly recognisable bags around, the Fjallraven Kanken. Originally designed to spare the backs of Swedish school children with the jingle “straight backs are happy backs”. It’s a classic amongst students and hipsters all over the globe. The Kanken is fairly basic in design but for us, that’s one of the it’s biggest strengths. With the Kanken, what you see is what you get.
The Battenwear Logo Tote Bag, simply sling it over your shoulder and you’re good to go. A handy, heavyweight cotton canvas bag that’s ideal for your weekly food shop and just as equally doubles up as highly approporiate summertime tote. Our favourite feature is the internal zip pocket, not enough totes include an internal zip, it’s a shame.
Filson come through with Made In USA goodness all day. The Medium Field Bag has been crafted from a heavyweight cotton canvas and features lovely leather trims. It’s been expertly put together and the ergonomic functionality of this bag is quite stunning, extremely comfortable to wear. Filson branding includes the motto “might as well have the best”, that says it all really.
The lightweight Dromond Holdall from Barbour is the perfect size for your weekend away. There is plenty of storage space for all your clothes and essentials wherever you’re heading. The Dromond is absolutely ideal for a weekend getaway and has been designed with webbing carrying handles and an adjustable shoulder strap to ensure upmost comfort on your travels.
Saving one of our favourites until last. The Nanamica Cordura Cycling Pack just had to get a mention. Japanese label Nanamica is a brand that blends athletic construction and smart function and the Cylcing Bag is stalwart in their line up. The waterproof and durable Cordura twin shell is a fantastic update. The generous storage space allows for all the essentials you could ever need and the front zip pocket and internal laptop pocket are very convenient additions. This lightweight bag takes technical performance to whole new level. Nanamica build products you can trust and that’s why we like them.
Fresh Fragrance
Founded in 2011, niche British perfume house Laboratory Perfumes craft unique, natural scents that are scientifically formulated to respond to the wearer and evolve on the skin over time. The contemporary fragrances are inspired by the flora and fauna of the British countryside and have been precisely blended with natural oils. The resulting scents are modern, wholesome and fresh that evoke the natural ambiance of the British landscape. The humble brown packaging and understated clear bottles reflect the brand’s love of simplicity but the fragrances are quite the opposite; a complex, truly elegant aroma features throughout each individual scent.
Atlas, Tonka, Gorse, Amber and Samphire by Laboratory Perfumes can all be found online now.
Hot Weather Heroes
As the heatwave descended across the UK recently it got us thinking, we have great summer shoes ideal for this heat. Our arsenal is a never ending selection of hot weather heroes comprising of the ever reliable Chuck 70s to Bata Bullets and so much more. Scroll down and treat your feet.
Words cannot do this shoe the justice it deserves. The Chuck 70 is our go-to shoe and Converse have smashed it with these summer Mango and Jaded colours.
Originally designed for basketball, the Pro Keds Royal is a true American Hero. We don’t play sport in them and neither should you, in fact we recommend you don’t, they’re too nice for that.
Handmade in Slovakia, pefect for the everyday and constructed from eco-friendly materials, it’s the classic Star Master from Novesta. Really into the contrasting sole on this one but wait until you see their Universal Works collaboration.
The G2 Canvas was first established as a tennis trainer in France back in the year 1936. Features include a cotton canvas upper, Spring Court tricolour branding to the tongue, a rubber sole and four vent holes to keep your feet cool. A simple, lightweight plimsoll, available in loads of colours.
Want to see what to see the latest footwear? Here you go.
Summer Sale Selects
Our Summer Sale has arrived and it’s looking stronger and more handsome than ever. We’ve been very generous as always and there are some absolutely amazing bits you can pick up with up to 40% off. Due the sheer scale of things, we thought we’d do you a favour and break down some of the best bits, scroll down and have look.
Engineered Garments features in our Summer Sale. Sound the klaxon. Their Field Overshirt is now £206.50, available in three colours.
MHL. By Margaret Howell craft some of the most thought out, elegantly designed, contemporary clothing out there. Their Linen Jersey Cotton T-Shirt is now £45.50, available in three colours.
British brand Albam make some very nice clothes indeed. Their Stripe Breton T-Shirt is now £62, available in two colours.
The Barbour Washed Sports Polo is something else. Garment dyed, rich in colour and crafted from beautiful crisp cotton. It’s now £25, available in two colours.
You can always count on Norse Projects to come through with really nice, well-constructed everyday clothes. Their Spring Villads Twill Overshirt is now £80, available in two colours.
Folk are the masters of that minimal, modern, menswear aesthetic. Their Contrast Sleeve T-Shirt is now £45.50.
Luckily for you, some of favourite bits from the latest Carhartt WIP offering feature in our Summer Sale. Take their Long Sleeve Union Shirt for example. Now £50, available in two colours.
The adidas Originals Gazelle is a stone cold classic. It’s now £50, available in two colourways.
We are running out of things to say about the Patagonia Torrentshell. It’s the G.O.A.T. and now just £70.
Is it sweatshirt, is it a t-shirt? Whatever you label it, it’s a thing of beauty. The Universal Works Felpa Diagonal Easy Crew is now £40, available in two colours.
Take a look at the entire Summer Sale before the best bits go.
Gifting For Dad
It’s less than a week until Father’s Day so we pulled together some bits that we feel would be a great gift for dad. Whether it’s the classic new pair of socks or something a little bit special, show some appreciation for your old man.
From the everyday dad uniform to posh grooming goods from Marvis and Baxter of California we have something for every dad out there.
For the Rad-Dads out there we have Patagonia t-shirts and for a Sunday best option we have shirts from Portuguese Flannel and Cape Heights to Polo Ralph Lauren polo shirts. Our new Andersons belts can act as that tangible hint to dad that he needs to wear his pants at the appropriate level on his hip. We are not short of trainers that your dad can probably just about get away with wearing for example, the Spring Court G2 Canvas, the adidas Originals Stan Smith and the Bata Bullets.
Socks are a classic gift for any man whatever the occasion. We have some outrageously comfy ones from Anonymous Ism. Alternative accessories ideal for your dad include a timeless collection of timepieces from Timex to a quintessentially British umbrella from Barbour.
Aesop can act as that gentle reminder to your dad that looking after your skin is crucial as the years go by. Also we’ve dad caps galore including the iconic Polo Ralph Lauren cotton cap as well as some new age Norse Projects headwear.
There you have it. We’re pretty sure that’s enough to inspire you. If not, head over to our site and see what’s new.