71 Summer Shopping Tips 2022

Photo-Illustration: by The Strategist; Photos courtesy of the vendors

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  1. Flax (the stuff from the ’70s with weird spells on the tag are much better than the more present-day offerings)
  2. Uniqlo (the cotton-linen blend items are the way to go, and are extremely soft)
  3. Muji (the dresses in particular are great) -US
Alpha60 I Hat

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. -KG

Scala Women's Cotton 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. -KS

Frogg Toggs Chilly Mini Cooling Towel

They’re exceedingly pleasant to wear on a hot bike ride to the beach. -LC

Honeywell Quiet Set 5-Speed ​​Tower Fan Oscillating

Like a (quiet) ocean breeze! And way cheaper than Dyson. -KG

Snawowo Mini Baby Stroller Fan
Very Good Deal

Any $15–$20 version on Amazon will do. -US

Kinfield Golden Hour Wipes

(Kinfield’s wipes smell so good, some have taken to using them as cologne.) -DP

Off!  Deep Woods Mosquito and Insect Repellent Towelettes

3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Cream

Bug Bite Thing Suction Tool

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendor

Mosquito Guard Mosquito Repellent Stickers

These colorful DEET-free stickers are infused with essential oils and can be slapped onto any article of clothing. -SK

Kate McLeod Dusk Stone

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. -SK

Hanes Boys' White Tanks, 5-Pack
Very Good Deal

B-One Boys' Cotton Tank Top Undershirt

After a year of constant use as PJs, workout clothes, et cetera, they’re still in great shape. -ICE

Save Khaki Supima Tee, Black

Tevas Voya Infinity

Clarks Blake Moss Sandals

You can find them on eBay or Poshmark, and there are actually a few pairs left on Amazon. -US

There’s a strong Japanese influence to some of its newer designs, like the barrel-style Voyager pants, the Yohji-esque nylon flare pantsand the linen-cotton overalls. -WY

Gramicci Voyager Pant

Gramicci Nylon Flares Pant

Gramicci Linen Overalls

The site has an integrated proxy service, so it ships to the US for a fee. -ICE

Zara Terrycloth Shorts
Very Good Deal

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.

Li-Ning Furious Rider Sneakers
Very Good Deal

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. -ICE

Think Mexico 66 Onitsuka TigersReproduction of Found’s German Military Trainerand, of course, the Samba — of which the Wales Bonner variant is surprisingly not played out yet. -LC

Onitsuka Tiger Unisex Mexico 66 Slip-on Shoes

Reproduction of Found German Military Trainer

Adidas Samba Wales Bonner

Hash Bubbie White Canvas Sneakers

They’re as comfortable and breathable, but for half the price. -CM

Faccia Brutto Centerbe

It’s worth it for its distinct white-pepperiness. -CP

Nuun Sport Hydration Tablets, Lemon Lime

Food writers Fanny Singer and Michael Harlan Turkell are both fans. -EW

Celery Vinegar Tarts

Keepwell Celery Leaf Vinegar

Taiwanese

It’s sheer, small, colorful, and light, but the woven nylon can hold the weight of a MacBook comfortably. -CP

Catbird Lace Lunch Bag

My flower girls and I will all be carrying one down the aisle. -LC

Dimok Water-Resistant Runner's Belt Fanny Pack

It also works great for dog-walking, as there’s a pouch that perfectly fits poop bags. -A A

ColoresdeMexico Handmade Woven Bag

This one, from maker ColoresdeMexicoMX, is a they $26 and has a handy top so your belongings don’t spill out. -CP

Ellie Vail Paola Herringbone Chain Necklace

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. -BG

Ikea Tillbringare Pitcher, 57 oz.

This glass one from Ikea looks much more expensive than it is ($6!) and is also incredibly durable. -EW

Graf Lantz Bierfilzl Merino Wool Felt Square Coaster

Mine look as great as the day that I got them over five years ago. -EW

Lisa Corti Organdy Sarong Panel

And and are much cheaper than her actual tablecloths. -KS

Baggu Puffy Lunch Bag

It comes in tons of amazing patterns and can keep a four-pack of seltzer, plus some cheese and crackers, cool for hours. -LC

Good Gain Waterproof Picnic Blanket

Ambiances Boutique Lot Of 4 Industrial Vintage School Chairs

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. -ICE

J.Crew Pull-on Linen Short

3sixteen CS⁠-⁠100xk Classic Straight Jeans

They’re endearingly creased, but still flattering thanks to a high rise and slight taper. -LC

Lee Vintage Modern High Rise All-Purpose Short

Big Bud Press Classic Work Shorts

Megababe Thigh Rescue

Old Navy PowerSoft Sleeveless Shelf-Bra Support Dress

Seea Dara Surf Suit

Gaviotas Surf Suit

Cubavera Short-Sleeved 100% Linen Guayabera Shirt

Sunspel Linen Short Sleeve Shirt

Trust me, I’m three summers in. -LC

H&M Smocked-Bodice Dress

It runs a bit big, so I recommend sizing down. -TDH

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+

Walgreens Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

It was my go-to while van-living in the Southwest, and never seemed to melt or get sticky in the heat. -KG

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Moisturizing Sun Care After Sun Lotion

She says the nice-smelling formula evens out and prolongs her tan without irritating her sensitive skin. -CP

Duxtop LCD 1800-Watt Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner 9600LS

It generates much less ambient heat and, as a bonus, offers a lot more control when you’re cooking. -WY

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. -JT

BORNN Colorama 12 oz Mug

Crown Canyon Home Vintage 12 oz Mug
Very Good Deal

Joyce Chen Kitchen Scissors

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. -EW

Hibiclens Liquid

I use it on my armpits in the summertime, and it stops them from getting stinky — no matter how much I sweat. -CM

Bubble Tree Bubble Solution Refill Station

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. -JT

KT TAPE Original, Pre-cut, 20 Strips

It’s inexpensive, easy to find, and designed to be worn for multiple days through sweat and showers — so the adhesive never fails. -JMW

They have plenty of pretty but covered-up options, with flute sleeves and maximalist prints. -AP

ASOS Twill Maxi Shirt Dress

ASOS Embellished Maxi Dress

ASOS Oversized Maxi Dress with Ruffle

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Cream Color Drip Lip Cream

It is smooth, luscious, and neither too dark nor too light. -LM

KISS imPRESS Color Press-On Manicure

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

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. -JT

Cat & Jack Toddler Ade Footbed Sandals

Lu Le Pims Milk Chocolate Biscuit Cookie

Cometeer Mixed Roast Box

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. -EW

Bedrocks Classic Sandals

They have a thin, grippy Vibram sole and a thong-style strap system. It’s like an adventure flip-flop. -JR

Adidas Adilette Slides
Very Good Deal

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. -JT

Camper Kobarah Sandals

Zeus Portable Jump Starter & USB Charger

Photo: retailer/TUCKER ADAMS

You never know when you or your road-trip buddy might accidentally leave a light on overnight or when your battery might crap out. -JR

(Ditto for Barbara’s jalapeno cheese puffs and Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop kettle corn.) -JT

Dang Thai Rice Chips, Original

Barbara's Jalapeno Cheese Puffs

Angie's Boom Chicka Pop Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn Popcorn, 10 oz.

Zoku Fish Pop Molds

They’re very easy to fill and unmold, and the resulting shark pop is exceptionally cute. -WY

Arcopedico Womens Antalia Sandal

They are extremely comfortable and only good in black, IMO. -LC

Kaze KN95 Masks and MATCHESFASHION Tropicale Series

Alone With You in the Ether

A hardcover edition will be released in November, but there’s something about the OG paperback edition that just feels in the know. -TDH

The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown
Very Good Deal

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remediesand bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.