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1.
Poshmark is swimming in inexpensive (like under-$20) linen. Here’s a ranking of the best.
- Flax (the stuff from the ’70s with weird mantras on the tag are much better than the more present-day offerings)
- Uniqlo (the cotton-linen blend items are the way to go, and are extremely soft)
- Muji (the dresses in particular are great) -A.S.
2.
Australians make the best summer hats.
This one (from a brand beloved by stylish Melburnians) is perfectly minimalist and practical. And since it was designed for use in a country with a depleted ozone layer, it has a broad and bendy brim that offers actual sun protection, as well as a detachable chin strap. -K.G.
3.
And for a cheaper hat …
The owned-by-two-Strategist-editors, available-on-Amazon-for-$28 Milani is easy to pack down and is a nice bucket-wide brim-hybrid. The nearly identical Scala has a wider color selection. -K.S.
4.
I don’t understand how it works, but if you soak these “Chilly Mini Towels” in cold water, they really will stay cold for hours on end.
They’re exceedingly pleasant to wear on a hot bike ride to the beach. -L.C.
5.
If you can’t work or sleep with a noisy air conditioner running, try the affordable Honeywell Quiet Set tower fan.
Like a (quiet) ocean breeze! And way cheaper than Dyson. -K.G.
6.
A portable (chargeable) stroller fan is a nice way to make sure your baby doesn’t boil alive this summer.
7.
When it comes to guarding against mosquitoes, bug spray is best in towelette or lotion form …
(Kinfield’s wipes smell so good, some have taken to using them as cologne.) -D.P.
8.
… But if a bug does break through your defenses, this bug-bite suction doodad actually works. -D.P.
9.
Mosquito repellent, but make it John Baldessari.
These colorful DEET-free stickers are infused with essential oils and can be slapped onto any article of clothing. -S.K.
10.
For a more hydrating way to fend off mosquitoes, the Strategist-loved Kate McLeod body stone comes in a limited-edition summer version.
There is something understated and appealing about its non-OFF! citronella, geranium, and, cedarwood scent. You can also use it to calm irritated skin post–bug bite. -S.K.
11.
If you’re looking for a crop top, copy model Paloma Elsesser, singer Maggie Rogers, and Strategist writer Dominique Pariso, and buy a tank from the Hanes little boys’ section. -K.S.
12.
Or try B-One, which sells a four-pack for $17 on Amazon.
After a year of constant use as PJs, workout clothes, et cetera, they’re still in great shape. -E.S.
13.
Celebrity stylists bulk-buy Save Khaki United’s Supima cotton tees because of their bicep-enhancing fit. -L.C.
14.
These $40 strappy Tevas, owned by Mary-Kate Olsen, are every bit as capable as your classic Hurricanes, but happen to be way more comfortable with a less hulking profile. -S.K.
15.
Clarks made a very comfortable fisherman’s sandal a few years ago called the Blake Moss.
You can find them on eBay or Poshmark, and there are actually a few pairs left on Amazon. -A.S.
16.
For slightly more interesting than usual outdoorwear, try Yosemite-born brand Gramicci.
There’s a strong Japanese influence to some of its newer designs, like the barrel-style Voyager pants, the Yohji-esque nylon flare pants, and the linen-cotton overalls. -W.Y.
17.
You can get Yohji Yamamoto (flowy skirts, cropped pants) and other Japanese designers for incredible prices on mercari.jp.
The site has an integrated proxy service, so it ships to the U.S. for a fee. -E.S.
18.
These $7.99 Zara terry shorts are the kids’ shorts of the summer. -A.S.
Editor’s note: These shorts are out of stock, but Zara has similar cozy, colorful, and affordable options available, like these blue Striped Plush Shorts.
19.
Sneaker-resale sites StockX and GOAT have surprisingly great deals on new sneakers, especially non-buzzy colorways from buzzy brands.
For instance, GOAT recently had a pair of Li-Ning Furious Riders that retailed for $217 on sale for $82. They make a perfect summer sneaker. -E.S.
20.
Oversize men’s sneakers are out — it’s a slim, low-to-the-ground summer.
Think Mexico 66 Onitsuka Tigers, Reproduction of Found’s German Military Trainer, and, of course, the Samba, of which the Wales Bonner variant is surprisingly not played out yet. -L.C.
21.
I don’t like wearing my nicer sneakers in summer when it’s often damp and dusty outside. Last year, I found these no-name, $22 Keds dupes.
They’re as comfortable and breathable, but for half the price. -C.M.
22.
Pick up a bottle of Faccia Brutto’s very small-batch Centerbe at Leon & Son or Astor to mix up mezcal Last Words, the beverage nerd’s drink of the summer, at home.
23.
When it comes to staying hydrated in the heat or curing hangovers from one too many spritzes, these better-than-Gatorade electrolyte tablets are the way to go. -D.P.
24.
In a more sophisticated take on the balsamic Coke trend, try making super-refreshing celery soda with celery vinegar, like those from Tart or Keepwell.
Food writers Fanny Singer and Michael Harlan Turkell are both fans. -E.W.
25.
My SS22 bag is this $10 Taiwanese “ga ji dai” market bag that’s a miniature version of the ones I grew up seeing everywhere in Taipei.
It’s sheer, small, colorful, and light, but the woven nylon can hold the weight of a MacBook comfortably. -C.P.
26.
These little lace bags from Catbird, made of the same lace as the curtains in its shop, make excellent wedding accessories.
27.
For the fanny-pack-averse, this $10 running belt stays in place, fits most essentials (phone, cash, keys, lip gloss), and is undetectable under most any T-shirt.
It also works great for dog-walking, as there’s a pouch that perfectly fits poop bags. -A.A.
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Whenever I see a $120 woven-plastic Marni bucket bag in the wild, I think, “schmuck.” Just get the real thing at your local Latino market, or search “Mexican woven bag” on Etsy.
These, from maker ColoresdeMexicoMX, are a mere $32 and has a handy top so your belongings don’t spill out. -C.P.
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Ellie Vail’s jewelry is truly water-resistant.
I’ve worn her herringbone chain necklace and rings in and out of various pools for the past few summers, and they’ve not tainted at all. -B.G.
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Summer is all about large-format cold beverages — and by large-format cold beverages, I mean batching cocktails, making iced tea and iced coffee to keep in the fridge, and setting out ice water at dinner parties. To do all this, you need pitchers.
This glass one from Ikea looks much more expensive than it is ($6!) and is also incredibly durable. -E.W.
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Graf Lantz’s coasters both absorb and evaporate moisture, and thus stay in perfect condition no matter how many drinks sweat on them.
Mine look as great as the day that I got them over five years ago. -E.W.
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Lisa Corti’s sarongs can double as summery tablecloths.
.
Try a puffy insulated lunch bag from Baggu instead of a bulky cooler.
It comes in tons of amazing patterns and can keep a four-pack of seltzer, plus some cheese and crackers, cool for hours. -L.C.
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This waterproof picnic blanket does not look like it costs 22 bucks. -A.S.
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For affordable but design-y outdoor furniture, consider the Mullca French school chair, which has a bent-plywood seat and a tubular steel frame.
You can consistently find them on 1stdibs and Etsy; the store Ambiances Boutique has an especially well-priced and consistent stock. New Dimes Square bar Le Dive appears to use them. -E.S.
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J.Crew is back, thanks to Olympia Gayot.
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Matthew Macfadyen, a.k.a. Darcy, a.k.a. Wambsgans, recently stopped into 3sixteen for its low-tension weave (as in: very breathable) straight-cut CS-100xk jean.
They’re endearingly creased, but still flattering thanks to a high rise and slight taper. -L.C.
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Lee’s vintage high-rise and side zips look like you bought them deadstock, but will actually fit a butt. -L.C.
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For summer-camp shorts in almost every size and color, look no further than Big Bud Press. -D.P.
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Nothing prevents thigh chafe, a.k.a. “chub rub,” or lasts as long as Megababe’s Thigh Rescue. -D.P.
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Old Navy’s workout dresses are available in a wide range of necklines and colors. They’re ideal for both puttering around and going to the gym. -T.D.H.
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Wearing Seea’s Dara or Gaviotas surf suits means you won’t have to worry quite as much about missing a spot when applying sunscreen or your top not staying put when you’re paddling out. -W.Y.
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As a nonstandard swim cover-up, consider a guayabera, the uniform of Caribbean dads.
Coming of Age’s Amanda Lurie likes this Cubavera shirt with pleated lines along the front and back. -A.P.
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Sunspel’s linen button-down is wonderfully long in the sleeve for a short-sleeve shirt, and can be worn for days on end and styled high and low, without ever feeling dirty.
.
H&M’s smocked dress is a near-dupe for one from Faithfull the Brand at less than half the price.
.
Yes, you should put sunscreen on your scalp. Shiseido’s clear sunscreen stick can slick back flyaways, too. -A.P.
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This $3 Walgreens sunscreen has a silky texture that feels more like moisturizer (I happily put it on my face), and offers very effective protection.
It was my go-to while van-living in the Southwest, and never seemed to melt or get sticky in the heat. -K.G.
.
Vulture senior news editor Morgan Baila put us on to this Hawaiian Tropic after-sun moisturizer, which was recommended to her by an extremely bronzed server in Miami.
She says the nice-smelling formula evens out and prolongs her tan without irritating her sensitive skin. -C.P.
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If the idea of firing up your gas or electric stove in the summer sounds unbearable, consider getting a portable induction burner, like the Duxtop 9600LS.
It generates much less ambient heat and, as a bonus, offers a lot more control when you’re cooking. -W.Y.
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Crow Canyon Home is my favorite source for cookout- and camping-friendly enamelware in the best colors and patterns.
I highly recommend the kindercore Colorama line, but as any coastal grandma would tell you, you also can’t go wrong with the classic vintage white. -J.T.
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Joyce Chen scissors are a go-to for pro cooks in the kitchen, but I’ve also found they make great garden shears.
The blades are super-small, so they’re easy to control (good when navigating your way around big stem-y and viney plants, or snipping small leaves off of, say, basil). But they’re also sharp as hell and can easily cut through woodier herbs like rosemary and prune tomato branches. -E.W.
.
You know that red soap doctors scrub their hands with before surgery? Well, it’s a helluva bacteria killer.
I occasionally use it on my armpits in the summertime instead of regular soap, and it stops them from getting stinky, no matter how much I sweat. Just make sure to wash it off completely. -C.M.
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Bubble Tree sells bubble solution in refillable and recyclable aluminum bottles, but the true genius of the company’s sustainable “bubble system” is in its for-sale refill stations.
The boxed-wine-style vessels with spigots hold between one and five liters and make it extremely easy to refill any bottle, tray, bubble toy, or bubble machine with no mess. -J.T.
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KT Tape is the perfect boob-tape alternative for backless summer tops and dresses.
It’s inexpensive, easy to find, and designed to be worn for multiple days through sweat and showers, so the adhesive never fails. -J.M.W.
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If you’re in search of modest wedding-guest dresses, you’ll surprisingly fare well at ASOS.
They have plenty of pretty but covered-up options, with fluted sleeves and maximalist prints. -A.P.
.
Fenty Beauty’s Cream Gloss in the color Honey Waffle is the perfect tinted gloss for brown skin.
It is smooth, luscious, and neither too dark nor too light. -L.M.
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If you don’t have time for a manicure ahead of a vacation or event, these KISS press-ons look like the real thing, don’t budge, and are only $6.
I bought a pack in a pinch before a trip to Mexico. They were easy to apply, stayed on through the whole week, and won me a compliment from my very discerning mom, who thought they were done at the salon. -A.A.
.
All the cool kids at my local pool have Splash swim goggles.
They have a stretchy fabric band instead of a rubber strap, making them more gentle on delicate hair, plus they come in lots of fun colors and prints. -J.T.
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Natives are the best waterproof shoes for kids, hands down, but Target’s $10 Fakeinstocks are a good backup pair. -A.S.
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Simplify and elevate your s’mores by ditching graham crackers and Hershey’s in favor of Lu’s European butter biscuits with chocolate already attached. -J.T.
.
Cometeer’s flash-frozen coffee-concentrate pods make a truly delicious cup.
The company partners with great coffee roasters across the country to make each set. You store them in the freezer (so they really never go bad), thaw them one at a time, then add cold water and ice. -E.W.
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Bedrocks are lighter and less clunky than Chacos, and more durable than Tevas.
They have a thin, grippy Vibram sole and a thong-style strap system. It’s like an adventure flip-flop. -J.R.
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The best summer slides are actually Adidas Adilettes.
As a lifelong soccer player, I’ve always been fond of these wonderfully comfortable sandals. The footbed is molded just right, without any break-in period or eventual gross black footprint on the sole. But now that they come in tons of colors and patterns, I can’t stop adding to my collection, even though each pair lasts for years. I think I’ll try tortoiseshell next. -J.T.
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They may look like heels for a marshmallow man, but these blobby Camper sandals (which I once spotted Tessa Thompson buying) are surprisingly cool-looking and comfortable on. -L.C.
.
During road-trip season, keep one of these portable jump-starters (slash flashlights) in your car.
You never know when you or your road-trip buddy might accidentally leave a light on overnight or when your battery might crap out. -J.R.
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Dang Foods’ Thai rice chips are a perfect road-trip or picnic snack.
(Ditto for Barbara’s jalapeño cheese puffs and Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop kettle corn.) -J.T.
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If you want to make your own Popsicles, get Zoku’s sea-creature-themed mold set.
They’re very easy to fill and unmold, and the resulting shark pop is exceptionally cute. -W.Y.
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Arcopedico, the mature women’s shoe brand, makes a perfect and weirdly sexy summer mesh sandal.
They are extremely comfortable and only good in black, IMO. -L.C.
[Editor’s note: These sandals are currently only available in white.]
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These colorful KN95s from Kaze are supercute, don’t get that hot, and fit my face tightly.
They even have a collaboration with Matches inspired by the marbled paper inside the retailer’s delivery boxes. -L.C.
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The hottest book of this summer is this BookTok-famous ‘Alone With You in the Ether,’ by Olivie Blake.
A hardcover edition will be released in November, but there’s something about the OG paperback edition that just feels in the know. -T.D.H.
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And the hottest audiobook is Tina Brown’s 2017 ‘Vanity Fair Diaries.’ -K.S.
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