Photo courtesy of Meaghan Murphy
7 Peak-Summer Pick-Me-Ups
We may be reaching new levels of wish-we-were-on-vacation antsiness, but pure, unadulterated summer bliss can still be in our near future. How? Instead of focusing on all the activities we can’t do, we’re capitalizing on those we can—like sprawling out in nature with a mind-transporting read; breaking out some classic, grass-friendly games (quar-crew paddle for two?); and hitting the sand, roof, or stoop with slick shades and towel in tow.
So grab your mask and get ready to milk the sh*t out of the season.
1
SUIT YOUR MOOD
Sleek solids, Cinque Terre stripes, delicious limoncello—if you’re upgrading one thing right now, make it a bathing suit. And in the interest of ROI, better make it one you’ll wear on that trip to Italy you postponed till next August.
2
CHAIN REACTIONS
Chain links are to summer what cozy knits are to fall: helpful layers that add dimension to practically anything you throw on. Make it a single, go for a double, or better yet, triple up.
3
BLANK CANVAS
Get a grab-and-go canvas carrier—the more abstract the shape, the chicer—with butter-soft leather accents that will carry you straight through September.
RALPH LAUREN BAG, Ralph Lauren, $195;
4
SLIDE PIECE
Aside from hand sanitizer and stretchy waistbands, slides seem to be getting the lion’s share of the action these days. In-and-out market missions, around the house to-dos, trudging through scorching-hot sand—these are the ones to keep stashed by the door.
G. LABEL X TABITHA SIMMONS DRESS, goop, $525;
G. LABEL X TABITHA SIMMONS SANDALS, goop, $425;
BIRKENSTOCK SANDALS, goop, $150;
5
HAT YOUR SERVICE
Hats—in natural, never-get-sick-of-them shades—are a swift shortcut to shielding your skin from the sun and looking good while doing it. Buckets or brims? Anything goes.
6
FRAME OF MIND
Lightly tinted lenses: the smartest, most protective way to level up walks, Saturday morning hikes, and really anything else you’re doing outside these days.
GOOP X ELECTRIC SUNGLASSES, goop, $225;
7
GAME TIME
Backyard paddle? How about a round of champagne croquet? Don’t forget the perfectly sized pannier bag to tuck away your towel and shorts when you’re beelining it to the beach.
L.L. BEAN CROQUET SET, L.L. Bean, $249;
