Summer Bank Holiday Picks

With the Summer Bank Holiday approaching, most of us are looking forward to a well earned break! Day trips out are a staple of the Bank Holiday period with many of us heading outdoors to enjoy the sunshine. (Or whatever the Great British weather throws at us.)

Whether you are on an outing to the seaside, a picnic in the park or simply relaxing with a Pimms, we have picked the perfect accompaniments to your Bank Holiday weekend. 

Barbour Floral Bloom Messenger Bag

Big enough to carry all your essentials, but small enough to still look stylish, this bag is ideal for day trips. It is made from Barbour’s classic waxed cotton giving it a lovely subtle sheen while providing protection to your belongings. The adjustable shoulder strap is robust, allowing it to hold a substantial amount of weight, which is always a bonus if you’re an over-packer like myself. Take a look inside and you will find a handy zip pocket in the main compartment, generous enough to fit the largest purse or phone in and an open pocket at the front. But the real highlight is the gorgeous floral print lining.

This beautiful ditsy style print adds a real girly feel to the bag, mixing practicality with style.  So often functional bags can be boring but the lovely lining always puts a smile on our faces. Deceptively spacious, you can fit everything you need for a day trip into this bag, and still have space to spare for any last minute additions.  

Michael Kors Jet Set Travel East/West Crossbody Bag Blossom Pink

Nothing says summer more than this little pink beauty! I am not normally a fan of anything too pink, but this delicate shade has converted me. It looks seriously classy and goes with just about any colour you can imagine. You may worry that such a light colour may get dirty, but as it is made from saffiano leather you can wipe it down with ease.

The chain detailing adds a bit of sparkle and a luxurious feel. For a smaller bag, it is also deceptively large, managing to hold all the essentials: phone, purse, keys, umbrella and lipstick, effortlessly. This makes it ideal for pretty much any occasion, whether you are after a compact day bag, a smart evening bag or simply need a bag to take you from day to night.

The structured shape means it will never lose its form and always look sleek and smart. Sometimes structured bags can be too boxy or bulky when worn, but because of its narrow proportions, it sits perfectly against your body. 

Paul Smith Balfour Trainers in Floral Print

A little bit of a splurge, but aren’t they pretty? When you are walking long distances, good footwear is essential meaning a decent pair of trainers are a must. These beauties are not only comfortable, but they are cute too! The flashes of colour are bright and summery, but the white background tones them down, allowing them to complement most colours.

We would wear them with a tea dress and denim jacket for a preppy look or skinny jeans and a classic white tee for a casual weekend outfit.

Barbour Tain Stripe Trilby Hat

If the sun does decide to appear (fingers crossed!), a hat is essential. Nobody wants to get burnt after enjoying a day in the sun, so it’s important to have a stylish way to keep protected. We chose this particular hat for being lightweight and summery. It's neutral colour will complement any outfit, but the nautical inspired stripes reminds us of the seaside.  Although it is technically a man’s hat, it looks great on women too. I mean the ladies instore couldn't resist trying it too...

As it is so lightweight and flexible it can be packed with ease, making it the perfect companion for holidays or weekends away. 

 Hugo Boss Men's Shirt RN with UV Protection

A classic white tee should be an essential of any wardrobe. For a twist on the classic, we love this offering from Hugo Boss featuring the striking Boss branding.

 Not only is it made from pure cotton, allowing your skin to breathe easier than synthetics, but it has the added bonus of UPF50+ (an ultraviolet protection factor of 50 for those of us unfamiliar with the jargon!), meaning it blocks out the majority of the suns UV rays. Pretty snazzy, right? It is available in Navy, Blue, Grey or White, which would be our choice for the summer months. 

Hunter Bubble Umbrella

Optimism aside, there is a chance it may rain over the Bank Holiday; we are in the UK after all! So it seems the natural choice to include an umbrella in our picks and this one by Hunter is my favourite. The rounded shape means it shields more of your body in comparison to a standard umbrella, keeping you nice and dry. They also come in a range of bright colours, which will cheer up the dullest of days. Our favourite is the Rhodonite Pink, a soft pastel colour perfect for all seasons.

 Barbour Tartan Picnic Rug

Off outdoors? Whether you are picnicking in the park or relaxing on the beach, you are going to need a good sized rug. This pure wool offering from Barbour is large, thick and incredibly durable. Not only is it great for crashing out, ahem, lounging around on, but it makes a super cosy blanket to snuggle up in if the weather turns. It also makes a great addition to the back seat of your car, particularly if you have little ones who like to snooze/drop crumbs/put their feet on the upholstery (delete as applicable!) The classic tartan design is a generous size but it can fold small for ease of movement.