Summer’s here and if – like us – you are in need of a few seasonal holiday essentials, then read on for our top buys…….

Sunglasses:

As soon as we set eyes on these Tom Ford sunglasses we were in love!! We’d need to win the lottery to be able to afford them but don’t they look great? Who wouldn’t want a pair of gold plated sunglasses? With stock being limited to the US you can purchase them for a modest $1,950 via the Tom Ford website.

If gold isn’t for you Tom Ford has some other, more affordable, options. The TF346 Double Bridge Round Frame in black ticks all the boxes and is available from Selfridges at a reasonable £245.

Shoes:

Three pairs of shoes are all that you need to meet whatever sartorial challenge your holiday may present! Since space is always at a premium the key is to keep things simple: a loafer, a boat shoe and a pair of flip flops (and a pair of trainers if sport is your thing but we’re not going to go there!).

Tod Gommino driving shoes in Nubuck are perfect for sightseeing and exploring by day or for wearing to a restaurant in the evening. Made in Italy from 100% suede these shoes look great and are extremely comfortable! There’s a range of colours to choose from but we’d go for Navy as it goes with everything – something to keep in mind when you are limited to one suitcase. Available from Selfridges for £260.

Timberland’s new Boat Shoe, has handsewn crafted uppers in wheat nubuck leather with hard-wearing siped rubber outsoles for maximum traction on slippery or wet surfaces – ideal if you are having an active holiday. The colour will work with most outfits and will look great with tailored shorts, jeans or chinos for the evening. Available from office for £105.

The must-have flipflop for poolside and seaside is the Havaianas Brazil Logo flip flop. Stylish, simple and adds a bit of Brazilian style to your holiday wear. Available from House Of Fraser for £23.

Swimwear:

If you haven’t heard of Māzŭ swimwear then we are delighted to be introducing you to a brand we think you’ll LOVE! The brand is based in Hong Kong and embraces the territory’s close connection with the sea.  Māzŭ pays homage to Hong Kong’s rich maritime history; incorporating traditional colours, local motifs, and unique fabrics to create classic swim shorts for the man who understands quality and comfort.

There is a huge variety of designs in the range but our suggestion is the Ming Dynasty. This particular print takes inspiration from the triangular fringed war flags that identified Chinese naval and pirate ships in the 1800s. Now the fringed flags can be seen adorning traditional dragon boats during the Tuen Ng Festival, which usually take place in June each year.

We love the attention to detail with this brand – every purchase comes with a canvas ditty bag for ease of travel or to put the shorts back in after use at the beach. Available from Māzŭ website for £135.

Alternatively try these Traveller Swim Shorts by Polo by Ralph Lauren. The fresh stripe will take you comfortably from beach to bar and back again! Available from House of Fraser for £75. 

Sunscreen & Moisturizer:

We are all aware of the need to protect our skin in the sun – in fact it is probably the most import thing to remember when setting off on our holiday.

Lancaster knows that a great tan is the result of high quality protection. Today, they offer their broadest sun protection ever in a new generation formula that combines optimal UVA/UVB protection with new Infrared Technology, to further protect skin from sun damage. Lancaster Sun Beauty Velvet Milk Sublime Tan SPF30 ensures gentle tanning and an even, well moisturised colour. Re-apply frequently to maintain protection, especially after swimming, perspiring, towelling or prolonged sun exposure. Available from House of Fraser for £24

There two key indicators for judging how good your summer holiday was: the smiles and memories at the end of it and the quality of your tan. Prolonging that tan helps keep that holiday feeling alive so try Lancaster’s Tan Maximiser to keep your tan for up to 1 month. This fast penetrating and ultra-soothing after sun moisturizer for face and body instantly calms sun exposed skin and provides immediate comfort after application. Available from House of Fraser for £29.