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Briefing
8 elevated summer essentials right in time for your annual leave
Washable toiletry bags, innovative serums, climate-positive beachwear, and sleek summer shoes in our guide to the warmer weeks to come.
By JOHAN MAGNUSSON
23 Jun 2021

Bon Voy’s smart toiletry bag

The startup describes itself as ”your trusty companion, at home and away — born out of necessity”. Their toiletry bag is spacious and stylish and, most importantly, comes with detachable and machine-washable inner lining. Available in three different sizes, a sleek unisex design, and entirely made of vegan materials, Bon Voy combines Scandinavian design and function at its best.

BeautyAct’s protective serum

The serum is the key to any skincare routine and your SPF is the most important product to carry with you — during the summer and every day, all year round. Thankfully, there are now more and more brands combining these two essentials in one product. BeautyAct’s DailyShield Protective Serum with SPF 25 has an ultralight formula that does not clog the pores, creating an invisible shield at your skin that gives it a soft and moisturized feel. The formula also includes niacinamide and panthenol counteracting uneven skin texture.

Scampi’s climate-positive swimwear

The swimwear brand has come a long way in their sustainability and innovation work. Achieving climate positivity — by an independent assessment following the ISO–14021 standard — is one important step and Scampi states how it’s all about the math. They have all emissions throughout their supply chain, from sewing thread production to webshop order shipments, independently analyzed and can then apply strategies to reduce them as much as possible. Then, they offset 120% of the remaining emissions. Even though the benefits of doing so have been questioned, Scampi do what they can, supporting CDM- and Gold Standard-certified climate projects in developing countries and also offset the total yearly carbon emissions of all employees in the team.

The brand only uses upcycled fabrics, recycling up to 300 grams of marine litter and other nylon waste with every swimsuit they produce. The Econyl yarn that is used is not only more eco-friendly but also twice as resistant to chlorine and sunscreen lotion or oils than conventional fabrics making the products last much longer. Deterioration of the elastane (lycra or spandex) content due to chlorine exposure is, according to Scampi, the number one reason swimwear breaks or wears out. Their innovative construction, called Xtra Life Lycra, means that the fibers resist breakdown more than 5 times longer.

The SS21 collection includes cues from Bali and Hawaii with classic surf inspired prints, colours from the abstract art legends Mondrian and Miró, and a metropolitan dance studio in the 80s, including subtle Flashdance aesthetics.

Eton debuts swimwear collection

It took 93 years (including two years of development by the in-house design studio) but this summer, the luxury men’s shirt and accessories brand introduces six distinct colours and patterns in their first swimwear line. Made from a quick-dry tech polyamide shell, each of the six styles comes in what the brands describes as the ideal length — 38cm — that falls just above the knee.

— Men should feel like their best selves on vacation and a great pair of swim shorts are a must in every wardrobe. We wanted Eton’s first swim collection to live up to the same level of functional design as our shirting and we are pleased to offer our customers swimwear that matches the quality they expect in our shirting, comments Sebastian Dollinger, creative director.

Marda’s premium sustainable swimwear

Danish creative August Dyrberg founded men’s swimwear brand Marda in 2018 with a vision to clean up our oceans by unifying unmatched quality and design with a highly green focus.

He’s using recycled plastic from the ocean — 7 bottles to be exact — and transforming them into premium swim shorts for men through Japanese fabric technology. The fabric is quick drying (dry in less than 5 minutes post-swim), water resistant, crispy, and lightweight.

— Following a scuba diving trip in Thailand I was alarmed at the amount of plastic pollution in our oceans, I just had to do something about this, he says, continuing,

— Since men’s swimwear brands often stand out with prints, we wanted to add details we see in the fashion industry, such as our logo and hardware, to make our shorts stand out once you wear them at the beach or in the pool.

One important key is to be radically transparent about the process, materials, and pricing. 

— Our customers can see how they are contributing to good with their money but at the same time getting a luxury product they will get much use from, Dyrberg concludes.

The Resort Co’s innovative flip-flops

Founded in 2018, The Resort Co had one clear mission: to craft the perfect flip-flop. To ensure the very best craftsmanship for every pair, each flip-flop is handcrafted in Tuscany, with a focus on slow production and usage of the best materials.

The product features include premium Italian leather or suede straps with suede lining and soft, shock-absorbing, and stain repellent upper sole and a hardwearing bottom sole, both in recycled Italian EVA.

A great combination of comfort and understated luxury design.

Myrqvist’s summery loafers

Swedish Myrqvist has made themselves a name for their timeless and affordable men’s shoes, with a sustainable mindset. Their summer release, Brännö, is launching next week and is a new kind of loafer, and includes the brand’s semi-rubber sole, adapted to the Scandinavian climate. 

As the pandemic has seen a rise for a comfortable wardrobe, the unlined construction of this loafer breathes better, making it perfect for hot summer days. The upper leather, on the other hand, comes from praised British tannery Charles F. Stead and adds enough elegance to include it in your office shoes or summer dinner rotation.

— We notice how more men want comfortable shoes. However, a pair of runners with a chalk-white sole is not always optimal. That’s why we made a more elegant option that is versatile, yet comfortable, Sebastian Öhrn, CEO, comments.

CDLP introduces Pool and Mobilité

This summer, the elevated essentials label launches Pool, a capsule designed for lounging in between swim activity, serving as a complement to the brand’s swimwear line. Cuts are tailored yet relaxed; accented with sartorial detailing. The products, a jacket, shirt, and shorts, are crafted in 100% Ecovero, a premium lightweight, viscose fibre derived from certified renewable wood sources, that lends the garments a matte, smooth surface, airy lightness, and natural drape.  

CDLP also adds Mobilité to the lineup, their first drop of active essentials, built for transitioning in and out of physical performance. The design, the brand shares, references nostalgia, looking to classic athletic wear with a focus on traditional silhouettes and relaxed, boxy fits. Robust, heavyweight yet breathable, recycled, and organic cotton blend fabrics. Casual, relaxed layering, optimal for your summer pre- and post- workout.