THE JOURNAL
3 MINUTE READ
The Perfect Beach Bag (And Everything To Put In It)
Words by Chris Elvidge
5 April 2022
Summer is on its way – at long last – and the beach beckons. But why wait? With temperatures already on the rise and fewer crowds to compete with for space on the sun lounger, the time for a sunshine break is now. What’s more, MR PORTER’s shelves are already stocked with this summer’s best new menswear and accessories, so you’ve got everything you need to get away in style, from short-sleeved shirts and swim shorts to sunglasses, sandals and much more. To kick things off with a little inspiration, we’ve picked out the perfect summer tote bag from JW Anderson along with a handful of essentials to put in it. See you on the beach (and don’t steal our lounger).
01.
The beach bag
JW Anderson’s berry-tastic SS22 collection made a recurring motif of strawberries, splashing the summer fruit across fleeces, shorts and small leather goods, but it was this tote bag that really caught our eye. Made from woven cotton with an almost straw-like appearance and decorated with oversized strawberry crochet patches, it’s just the right size to hold everything you need for a day at the beach. Speaking of which…
02.
The cardholder
When he’s not busy at JW Anderson, designer Mr Jonathan Anderson also lends his creative eye to LOEWE, the Spanish luxury leather goods company turned high fashion brand. A beautifully made accessory in a bold, contemporary colour, this minty green cardholder speaks to the company’s heritage of skilled craftsmanship but also to its future. Just the thing for settling up in style at the beach bar.
03.
The sunglasses
An absolute essential for the beach, a decent pair of sunglasses sets the tone for the rest of your outfit (along with, you know, keeping your eyes protected). These yellow acetate sunnies from London eyewear brand Cubitts combine a timeless round-shaped frame with a striking yellow colour. They come at an attractive price point, too.
04.
The towel
Yes, you could pick up a cheap, mass-produced beach towel from a shop on the promenade. Or you could do things properly. Loro Piana’s expertise with fabric is world-renowned and this incredibly plush Italian-made towel is no exception. Closer in size and thickness to a living-room rug than your average beach towel, it’s finished with fringing and smart webbing stripes so that it looks as good as it feels.
05.
The bucket hat
Queen of nonchalant Parisian cool Ms Isabel Marant took a deep dive into the world of retro sportswear for her latest menswear collection, resurfacing with a range of vibrant printed shirts, logo sweats and funky accessories. If the vibrant pattern on this Haleyh bucket hat is a little too loud for your tastes, flip it inside-out and you’ve got a solid-white hat complete with subtle logo.