We had hot girl summer, followed by our “no-go” 2020 summer and now we are entering summer 2021, which is being joyfully referred to as “hot vax summer.” And boy, is it off to a great start already; with vaccination rates high and Covid-19 cases dropping, cities are fully reopening for the first time since March of 2020. We are primed to spend this summer finally visiting family and friend, traveling and catching up on the activities we love most.
Before you banish your sweatpants, dust off your swimsuit, and start tackling your bucket list of activities, dive into our list of stylish, must-have items to make your hot vax summer the best ever. After the year we’ve had, you deserve it. And as always, we searched for products that are sustainably made, organic or support local makers.
Wine Chiller
Vinglacé, $89.95
Keep a bottle of wine or bubbly perfectly chilled for hours in this vacuum-insulated, stainless-steel canister.
Maisie Clay Gingham Sport Sandal
Loeffler Randall, $195
The perfect combo of fashion and function, these sandals pair well with denim shorts, a breezy dress and more. We are particularly fond of the bow tie and subtle pink color.
FUNBOY Tropical Bali Cabana
Revolve, $199
If FUNBOY’s giant cabana daybed is more than you need, consider this oversized and shaded lounger for two. It even has cupholders and a removable mesh sun shade.
Supergoop! SPF From Head-To-Toe Set
Revolve, $28
Sun damage is nothing to mess around with, so you better protect yourself this summer! We love Supergoop!, and this starter kit that contains their everyday lotion, facial sunscreen and resetting mist is a great way to cover your skin this summer.
Gathered Swimsuit
Self-Portrait, $310
An elegant approach to swimwear, this one-piece swimsuit is a nod to old Hollywood. We especially love the cut-out and scooped back.
Hydrating Hand Sanitizer
OLIKA, $29.94/6 pack
Sanitizers aren’t going anywhere, and these adorable ones made with essential oils and simple ingredients are perfect for on the go. We love the full size versions, but the minis with an attached keychain are even more convenient.
4 Boys Boys Beach Bag
Scout, $59
This beach bag can do it all: It’s waterproof, fully zips and sand will slip right off. It has more than enough room to hold all of your essentials for a day at the beach, and folds up easily when you’re not using it.
Minnidip Blush Tufted Mini Cooler
Free People, $24
How adorable is this floating cooler from Minnidip? With a 30-quart capacity (that’s almost three bags of ice!), you can keep your favorite beverages cold while you relax in the pool.
Cooper Sunglasses
Warby Parker, $145
Featuring a stylish combination of black oak tortoise and polish gold, these vintage-inspired glasses are all about the details.
SPF 40 Face Prime & Protect
COTZ, $26.50
This non-tinted face primer with SPF 40 is the holy grail; it protects your face from harmful UV rays, is water resistant up to 80 minutes and preps your skin for sheer make up (we love to layer it with ILIA beauty’s super serum skin tint).
RoadTrip Rocking Chair
CGI Outdoor, $59.90
This is not just any ordinary beach or lawn chair — this one rocks, on any surface! You can truly lean back and enjoy having the sand in your toes, plus it folds up easily for storage.
The Exercise Dress
Outdoor Voices, $100
Sporty and flattering, this functional dress is made of lightweight, breathable fabric and includes built in shorts with pockets. It’s perfect for hot, humid days, or days spent on the court.
Self-Tanning Water
Isle of Paradise, $28
Isle of Paradise’s tanning drops are all the rage right now — not only do they allow you to gradually build a safe golden glow, but they help even your skin tone in the process.
Giorgiana Cutout Linen Midi Dress
Staud, $350
A little retro, but definitely cool, this linen dress will do exactly that — keep you stylish and breezy during these hot summer months.
SPF 20 Flow-Thru Radiant Translucent Powder
ILIA, $34
This is a year-round staple we keep in our bags, but the sheer, lightweight translucent mineral finishing powder is a bonus on hot summer days. It gives off a matte, pearlescent finish and offers SPF 20 protection in a portable container with a retractable brush.
A few more items we love, and we think you’ll love too:
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Macaire Douglas lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two sons. She proudly supports Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that works tirelessly to prevent the illegal abandonment of newborns nationwide. Since its inception in 2000, more than 3,600 newborns have been safely surrendered and adopted into loving homes.
