Oh, it’s glorious isn’t it? All that sunshine. Looks good, feels good - and it’s set to get even better with a heatwave finally righting all the wrongs of the last tepid summers.
Whether you’re off to a festival, flame-licking meat in your garden or just shooting the breeze with your crew in one of London’s many lush and leafy oasis’ (that’s poetry for…um, parks), make sure you’re properly equipped for those long-awaited double digit temperatures with our hot weather-focused shopping roundups.
When it comes to shopping - to pluck a line from Fatboy Slim - we’ve come a long way, baby. If you’re not using a canvas tote, topping up your refillable water bottle and generally cutting single use waste wherever humanly possible - well, what on earth are you playing at?
That said, it’s always helpful to have a gentle reminder and this month, that comes in the form of Plastic Free July, one of the more useful designated periods of the year, unlike say, National Boiled Egg Day (June 3, FYI).
Brands new and old use these few weeks of the year to highlight the ways they’re fighting litter waste with genius alternatives. Make your larder, bathroom cabinet, beauty bag and more a greener, happier place to be with our roundups of the best plastic-free and refillable products across a host of categories.
Elsewhere, the capital’s best stores and brands are celebrating high summer with a programme of workshops, pop-ups, events - and our favourite - sales! to get you locked and loaded for whatever you’re up to this July.
Buckle up: here’s your Shopping Shortlist, the July 2022 edition.
On your marks, get set -
Best lightweight tents to take to festivals, hiking and camping
Best plus size summer dresses: Floral, animal print and colourful styles
Best period pants to buy in the UK that are better for the environment
Best refillable makeup and beauty products
Best shampoo bars: The best natural and organic solid shampoo soap bars for your hair
Best eco-friendly party bag fillers in the UK: Sustainable party bag ideas for kids
Rixo present loungewear
They may be known for their occasion-ready dresses, but with high temperatures here (yippee!), Rixo has gone down a decidedly more casual route this season.
The label has launched its first ever summer loungewear collection, a line of breezy frocks and shorts sets made from comfortable breathable cotton. Perfect for work or play, choose from paisley, floral and gingham prints in cool summer hues.
From £135, available in sizes 6 - 20.
Buy now £135.00, Rixo
Weekday x Container Love celebrate love
H&M-owned fashion brand Weekday has teamed up with Berlin-based magazine Container Love to roll out a photography exhibition across all of its European storefronts.
Viewed through the prism of the queer gaze, the images are also available on limited edition tees available exclusively online for just £19 a pop.
We’re head over heels.
Buy now £19.00, Weekday
Uniqlo x Roger Federer ace easy summer style
With Wimbledon holding court this summer, it’s only right we make a right racket about any related collab. Hot foot it over to Uniqlo where the brand has dropped the second instalment of apparel fashioned in collab with its global brand ambassador, the one and only Roger Federer. The line of tees and caps bear his famous logo and are classically Uniqlo, meaning they’re versatile to wear whatever the occasion.
Shop best women’s tennis shoes
Buy now, Uniqlo
Sleep in beauty with all-new Liberty bedding
If you’re anything like us, you’d live in Liberty’s timeless heritage prints. Now you can live - and sleep - in them thanks to the launch of Sleep by Design at Liberty, the design-first bedding collection from London’s iconic department store. Using prints from its famous archive, the patterns are hand painted onto the shop’s signature Tana Lawn cotton as well as linen, and luxurious 300 thread count cotton sateen with three collections on offer: Town House, Country House and Arts Club. All available in UK, European and Middle Eastern sizing. Dreamy.
Prices from £40.
Buy now, Liberty
Aldi Local opens its doors in Old Street
Calling central London residents: there’s no longer any need to trek to the ‘burbs for reasonably priced groceries. German supermarket Aldi has just opened doors in Old Street, so you no longer have to dip into your overdraft to do the weekly shop. It’s Aldi’s latest small-format shop in the capital - other Local branches can be found in Camden, Kilburn, Tooting and Kingston. The shop will carry slightly fewer products than its regular-sized shops but at a time when we’re all feeling the pinch from higher living costs, the new Aldi Local couldn’t have come at a better time.
Opening times: 7am - 11pm, Monday to Saturday, and 11am - 5pm on Sundays.
Find it: 205 Old Street, London, EC1V 9QN.
Buy now, Find your nearest Aldi here
Five Guys join the fast food fashion parade
KFC had its Wrapuette bag (complete with an insulated pocket to keep that handbag essential, a chicken wrap, at optimum gobbling temperature), Burger King had its flame-grilled socks. McDs and Domino’s release Christmas jumpers every year. Now Five Guys has joined the fast food fashion party with preppy all-American merch of its very own.
Going beyond the bun, the US chain has released its first drop which includes embroidered varsity jackets and graphic t-shirts, to branded sweatshirts, bespoke caps (beanies and baseball caps) and of course, socks with red and white checkerboard trims. The pieces are as high quality as the ingredients in-store but they’re only available online. Get your orders in fast, they’ll sell like hot (beef) cakes. From £10.
Buy now, Five Guys
Townhouse Kensington opens
Kensington has become even more of a destination - and it's not just because the ES offices are based there.
The area has welcomed a fashionable new salon to the fold - Townhouse now resides at 146 on the High Street. Ready and waiting to answer all manner of summertime grooming woes, you can book in manis and pedis, with the option of their famous nail art designs, from as little as £26.
Buy now, Townhouse Kensington
Sportswear brand Champion drop second Stranger Things collection
If you’re running up that hill to all things Stranger Things, we’ve got news of a new fashion collection that’ll turn your wardrobe upside down. The unisex, college-inspired looks span cosy hoodies, tees and long Bermuda shorts (prices from £35). In short, the perfect pieces to wear while watching the second launch of season 4 on July 7.
Can’t wait until then? Shop the current collab now.
Buy now, Champion
Charles Worthington reaffirms its support for Look Good Feel Better
Good hair matters, a sentiment the folks at Charles Worthington knows without question - it’s what they’re all about, after all. The celebrated salon has reaffirmed its commitment to cancer support charity Look Good Feel Better, offering not only free workshops to help support those battling the disease but also with in-salon fundraising. Add a donation to your bill and the company will match the total raised in the salon, effectively doubling your contribution. Hair, hair.
Buy now, Charles Worthington
Tatty Devine launches Frida Kahlo jewellery
A small piece of Latin America has landed in East London with the Mexican Geniuses exhibition celebrating the works of the country's OG art IT couple, Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego. To celebrate, quirky jewllery label Tatty Devine has designed an entire collection inspired by the Mexican art icon.
The range has been made by Tatty Devine's all-female team and uses elements of Frida's work and life to make them wearable works of art in their own right. The earrings and brooches are lovely, but the necklaces are the real headturners. Prices from £30, available from July 6.
Buy now, Tatty Devine
