And we are back for part 2 today!
The gist is this - I asked some of my favorite writers to share the clothing, accessories, and beauty things they are most excited to wear this summer. This is Part 2, and Part 1 went out yesterday.
Lets go!
from
This was such a hard question to answer bc there are so many things! I decided to just pick one of my many favorites and run with it. Thank you!
It’s impossible to pick just one item I’m most excited to wear this summer bc summertime dressing is my jam. As a SoCal born & bred girl, the year-round mild weather and outdoor lifestyle make me feel most at home in my own skin and style. While my closet has many summery items begging to be worn, the one I’m most excited to wear on repeat is a newer purchase, this Toteme monogrammed button-down. I purchased it for its inherent versatility: it can be worn as a cover up, a dress, a shirt with pants or shorts, or even an overshirt on cooler nights when I need an extra layer. The color is perfection for summer, and I appreciate the stitching detail for just a bit of interest. All in all -- the perfect summer shirt!
from Joy
Singapore has no seasons. Just summer, and more summer. What changes is everything else: the school year winding down, genuinely exciting travel coming up, and my birthday. Gemini energy is strong around here, and there is no better excuse to dress with a little more fun and flair. So I am so honoured to be asked by the inimitable Charu to share three (only three!) things I am most looking forward to this coming season.
Tibi Ribbed Sweater Cut Out Tank
I love love love a cutout and fully intend to be 70 years old still rocking a backless look, so this is very much on brand. This is the kind of top that works over Adidas shorts on a Saturday with the kids in tow, or worn over a sheer midi with a pair of sparkly earrings for a museum date that runs into dinner. I have been watching the top at full price with great restraint and am pleased that sale season at Tibi is now upon us. I am just waiting patiently for it to be marked down - please let it be soon!
My Havaianas are fine but a girl deserves options. I have been thinking about a more elevated shoe for a while, and colour is one of my favourite styling tools when it is too hot to layer. Leather thongs, square toe, and red feel so fresh at the moment and I plan to wear these with absolutely everything. Skirts, pants, shorts, bathers, literally everything.
Ok this is not a seasonal pick but very much a year-round staple in the tropics. It comes in four very flattering shades but my favourite is Warm Glow. I swipe it directly across the cheek bones and down my nose for a natural glow that makes me look sun-kissed. The formula is buildable, the packaging is travel-friendly, and most importantly, it holds up in the humidity. I don’t wear much makeup in general (usually just eyeliner and a lippie) and prefer products that have less nasties. So I deeply appreciate that Pixi makeup is paraben-free, genuinely high-performing, and super affordable.
from
ACCESSORY: I was able to test drive this straw rancher hat in Punta Cana during spring break. I loved it so much I ended up snagging it in other colors. I think the locals liked it as well, considering I heard a lot of, “Hola cowgirl!”
PRODUCT: My favorite beauty product, without a doubt, is this sunscreen. I hate the feeling of anything on my skin that feels greasy, sticky, or slimy. This one is perfect for daily use, vacation, and life in general. It’s literally the only sunscreen I don’t dread putting on!
CLOTHING: I’m having an absolute MOMENT for all things linen vests lately. I love how polished they look yet still feel super comfy and light for daily wear. As someone who runs hot, I love an easy, breezy top I can wear to both camp pick-up and date night!
from
When Charu asked me to be part of this post about what I'm most excited to wear this summer, I immediately knew what the items were. First, the flower dress from the brand Auguste I've had for several years, it's my tradition to kick off the summer with this, and it's the most beautiful summer piece I own. New items I can't wait to wear this season are my new necklace found on Depop, this two-piece bikini set from a Colombian brand, ANCORA, and my vintage beaded gold bag I found a few weeks ago at a vintage store, which I'm obsessed with. For beauty, this new MORPHEblush trio that I think is going to give that sun-kissed effect, and this Armani eye tint in the auburn color. All perfect for the summer!
from
When I was in L.A. this spring visiting my cousin ( ), she showed me her Valesque handbag and I was immediately hooked. The bags are like little candy wrappers and at a price that doesn't feel like a serious investment. I bought this one at Mohawk General Store and have been carrying it ever since. Easy, breezy for summer. Otherwise I've been pulling out my essentials -- A.Emery Kinto sandals are on their third summer, Birkenstocks I've had for years, my Left on Friday Swimsuit is returning for a fourth summer and for sunscreen, I like Supergoop Glowscreen, Ultra Violette Vibrant Sunscreen and Elta MD.
from
My favorite accessory this season: Is my Chis Studio Berlin Belt/Necklace. It’s been really fun for adding a little bit of interest to some of my everyday outfits (simple jeans and a tank for example).
I know I’ll be packing it on upcoming trips as well because it gives vacation vibes. The best part about this piece is that it can also be worn as a necklace.
Sasha from Capiz Studio
I don’t know what it is about summer travel, but there’s always the itch to acquire new stuff pre-trip. Maybe it’s the excitement of getting to dress up every day while on vacay (vs. wearing sweats 75% of the time at home), but even if I plan on shopping when I’m traveling I always do a pre-trip closet evaluation and stock up. For this trip, where we’re spending half our time in Milan and the rest by the beach in Sardinia, I bought a couple new dresses that do double duty and work in both locales.
This Christopher Esber dress from The RealReal has cutouts that are perfect for the notoriously hot Italian summers, and works just as well as a day or evening dress.
This pinstriped dress by Bondi Born straddles that line between city and beachwear, can easily be dressed up or down, and is in my favorite color of late. I plan on wearing it color drenched with sandals in the same color.
Lastly this Posse dress is cute without being too sweet. With sheer panels that make it more risqué than your usual white summer dress, it’ll be the perfect frock for both museum-going and beachside hanging.
Maybe it’s my tropical upbringing, but I’m a sucker for rattan anything. When I can get away with it, it’s in every interior I design. But one of my favorite ways to use it has been in bags. I recently got this Bembien rattan tote and it’s the perfect size to bring to the beach and fill with sun essentials.
When it comes to skincare, I basically just buy whatever Charu tells me. My latest purchase is the Good Weather Skin sunscreen, and I’m absolutely loving it! I had previously avoided mineral sunscreens because of their consistency, but this goes on smoothly and leaves you feeling glowy and hydrated. I stocked up on the face formula, body milk and lip gloss set for my upcoming annual Italy summer trip, so I’ll be extra sun protected as I sip aperol Spritzes at a lido in Sardinia!
(Ed. note: Use code BRANDSANDBOBS15 for 15% off)
from
Like many moms, when summer hits I spend even more time schlepping my kids to and from their various activities. Unlucky for me, it’s no longer socially acceptable to drop your children off at the pool unsupervised for hours at a time. But, after a childhood spent free-range at the pool, I’m part pool rat, and it’s one of my favorite ways to spend the afternoon as a family.
While my kids play WWE in the water, I spend most of my time reading, scrolling, chatting, and retrieving meals (tuna melt for me, sliders and chicken strips for them) and bevies (Campari Spritzes for me and Shirley Temples with three cherries for them), so a good coverup is key. As we’re finally entering pool season, the first thing I grabbed and what I’m looking forward to wearing often is my WNU seersucker set over my swimsuit of the day (but I usually default to some variation of this top and bottom). The fabric is lightweight yet crisp, the colors are cheerful, and I can wear it to the pool or out to dinner depending on my destination. My accessory of choice, pool or not, it my Alex Mill straw bucket hat. It’s lightweight, packable, pool chair friendly, and actually covers my face and neck while still looking cute. And as the mother of two blond children, I can’t survive summer without loads and loads of sunblock, and I’m fairly certain I’ve tried them all. After more sunburns than I’d like to admit, I’ convinced that spray sunblock doesn’t actually work, so I’m slathering myself - and my kids - with this from the jumbo container that lives by my door, plus the smaller size that I keep stashed in my pool bag.
I’m wearing: hat, set, swimsuit, and flipflops
from
This summer, I want everything to feel easy, slightly nostalgic, and ready for an impromptu stop at the beach, even if I’m mostly just answering emails from my kitchen table. My Lorna Murray hat and CeraVe SPF 50 basically come everywhere with me once the sun’s out.
From there, I’m building around pieces that feel a little retro in the best way: Suzie Kondi bloomers, jelly sandals, monogrammed cabana stripe beach tote with water, Cheez-Its, sour gummies, AirPods, and a beach read. I finally bought this Heidi Merrick swim top and bottom after staring at it for months. Another average Tuesday in Huntington Beach, California.
Links: Ancient Greek Sandals | CeraVe SPF 50 | BAUBLEBAR Toe Bag | LUV LOU Aviators | ÉLIOU Sardine & Fishbone Necklace | LORNA MURRAY Capri Pleated Brim Packable Sun Hat | HEIDI MERRICK Terry Top | HEIDI MERRICK Terry Bottom | COS Ribbed Tank | Suzie Kondi Hera Bloomers
Thank you so much to everyone for sharing their favorite things! I can’t thank you enough!
Here’s the deal: every newsletter takes me hours to write and edit. It’s a true labor of love and something I look forward to, even if it takes way more time (and tea ☕️🫖) than I care to admit. If you enjoy reading Brands and Bobs, I’d be so grateful for your support.
Just liking, commenting, or sharing makes a HUGE difference!
And if you’re feeling extra generous, consider upgrading to a paid subscription!
There are a few affiliate links used in this newsletter which means the writer who provided it may get a small commission if you buy something (at no cost to you).
Brands and Bobs is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.