THE JOURNAL

Mr Jeffrey Trosch is a busy man. As our Head of PR in the Americas, he’s responsible for spreading the MR PORTER gospel in our biggest market, the US. It’s a never-ending task, but we all need a break every once in a while – and he’s taking one this weekend, along with the rest of his compatriots, for the Fourth of July weekend.
What does it mean to him? Perhaps unsurprisingly for someone with such a hectic working life, “It’s all about the three-day weekend,” he says. He’ll be spending it in the city with his boyfriend and friends, with exact plans yet to be confirmed – he might head to a rooftop barbecue or even the beach. But being a MR PORTER guy, you know he’s already got his packing list sorted.
Whatever you’re doing to celebrate this weekend, we hope you find a bit of style inspiration in Mr Trosch’s peak summer picks.
01.
The beach towel set

Hitting the beach? Your packing list might be minimal, but there’s one thing you absolutely can’t leave at home, says Trosch. “A good beach towel is the ultimate accessory,” he says. “These 11.11/eleven eleven towels from our new Small World collection are made from organic cotton and come in a set of four, so you and three friends can look effortlessly cool.”
02.
The essential skincare

Everyone loves a sunny Fourth of July weekend. But even by modern standards, the weather across the US – especially in the northwest – has been extreme. Trosch plans to come prepared. “With the heatwave hitting across the country, there’s nothing more important than defending your skin against those pesky UV rays,” he says. “I’m a personal fan of Hampton Sun’s SPF30 lotion, which is blended with vitamin E, walnut oil and aloe vera extracts to provide moisture as well as protection against the summer sun.”
03.
The summer shirt

Summer style is all about versatility. This is not a time to be planning outfit changes. What you really want is something that serves double duty, working as well in the daytime as it does in the evening. That, according to Trosch, is a quality summed up by the camp-collar shirt. “Nothing says summer quite like it,” he says. “I can wear this floral-print shirt from Mr P. to the beach with a pair of swim trunks, or out in the evening with a pair of trousers.” (The airy cut and lightweight fabric are perfect for the sultry weather, too.)
04.
The weekend bag

Trosch may be staying close to home this weekend, but for millions of Americans this is a rare chance to visit family and friends – the actual date falling on a Sunday means that the bank holiday falls on a Monday, ushering in a three-day weekend and an increased window for travel opportunities. A proper weekend bag is always a good investment. This leather-trimmed canvas holdall from TOM FORD is a fine example. “It’s a stylish portal for my beach and barbecue essentials and will be easy to pack and grab as I head out for a quick weekend of revelry and independence.”
Illustration by Mr Joe McKendry