Summer in Toronto is in full swing. As if the city isn’t already hectic as it is, summer in the city just elevates the stress. Rushing to an event in the middle of humid, sticky weather is never cute. That being said, I’ve noticed several items ranging from fashion, grooming, and tech that I just can’t live without. Here are my summer style essentials to get you powering through the day and chillin’ by night.
The Camp Shirt: You know summer has made it’s arrival when men of all shapes and sizes gallivant down the street in these light-weight, short-sleeved button downs. I happen to only own 5, which is disappointing because I am obsessed with these shirts. Unlike a typical short-sleeved button down, the camp shirt boasts a more relaxed collar with small lapels positioned perfectly on top of your collar bone. Camp shirts look great tucked in for work and french tucked at a patio. Such a versatile piece definitely should be in everyone’s closet this summer. Some brands that make the best camp shirts include Abercrombie & Fitch, Saturdays NYC, and Sandro.
The Loud Sneaker: My father always told me that people form judgments towards others based on their shoes. Crazy enough, a study conducted at the University of Kansas helped support this notion. Apparently, the type of shoes an individual wears is a subtle indicator of someone’s financial background… I know, crazy. With that in mind, I am always guilty of splurging on shoes. Lately, I have been rocking Saint Laurent’s Court Classic Star Sneaker. Even though it is a loud print, summer is perfect time to clash prints and get away with it. If people judge others on their footwear, then I strangers to see my fun, carefree personality.
Verb’s Sea Spray: 3 words: Wind. Swept. Hair. I love an effortless look when it comes to my hair. Being asian, it’s extremely challenging to find products that will work with my hair’s natural thickness. Thankfully, Verb’s Sea Spray formula will provide windswept waves just with a couple of sprays. When you’re already on-the-go in the mornings, it’s nice to restyle your hair for a function later that night. Using 5 sprays, I mold the product into my ideal hairstyle by twisting portions of my locks to generate the wavey look. After using Bumble & Bumble’s Surf Spray, I can say that Verb’s take on beachy hair is so much better, not to mention less expensive.
The Juicepack by Mophie: There’s nothing more annoying than a phone lacking battery. In today’s society, if you don’t have a picture, were you really there? And not just that! Why miss out on capturing memories, getting an Uber, or shazaming that song at the bar? That’s why I ensure to ALWAYS keep my Juicepack with me at all times. Finding a portal to charge in the city isn’t hard, but you don’t want to sit in an empty Starbucks for an hour charging your devices when you could be the life of the party. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend purchasing the rechargeable case since it makes your phone heavy and it will be of no use when changing phones.
The Belt Bag: A controversial choice, I’m sure. Believe me, I was completely against this trend when it was resurrected from the 80s, but I now own 2 because of their convenience! Instead of lugging a backpack or a tote around to carry a few items, everything fits perfectly in this miniature staple accessory. If you think about it, it doesn’t make sense to bring a large bag to carry a few items (charger, wallet, keys) and no one wants to walk into a patio bar with a backpack. In addition, the belt bag can be worn and styled in several ways, which only elevates an outfit. The current one I own are from Herschel and Coach (sold out, but something similar). However, I would love to own one from Prada or Gucci.
There you have it. My essential items I cannot live without during the summer. There are still so many things I can add on to this list, but these would be my top 5 things to get me from work to the nightlife scene. This season is all about having fun with friends, going on new adventures, and making up for lost time during the winter months. Why waste precious time getting ready? And. I. Oop.
Candidly,
Jonah
