Mid-summer in the South is hot — figuratively AND literally. We’ve been scouting our favorite Southern shops and makers to bring you a list of fabulous summer FINDS. With picks for everything from your closet to your home to your new neighbor’s doorstep, here are 15 picks we’re loving this month.
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SUMMER-READY CLOSET
Linen top
Front-buttoned vest-like shirts are having a deserved moment this season. A breezy sleeveless linen top is great for a day out in the sun or a casual evening out. Find this versatile summer staple for $130 at Twill.
PinLinen top, $130, at Twill | Image: TwillBucket hat
A bucket hat … but make it sublimity chic! The “Rita” by Staud is your new summer companion. This striped crocheted bucket hat will shield the summer rays while you play in style. It’s $195 at Primm’s.
PinBucket hat, $195, at Primm’s | Image: Primm’sStuds
We love narrowing down our jewelry rotation for the summer months. Add a sliver of oxidized silver, sterling silver, or 14-karat gold to your lobes! These dainty, intriguing studs are perfect on their own or a great chance to mix metals across your earscape. Each pair is hand-textured to give them a chic matte look. Each pair (5/8-inch long) is $42 at Moxie Mercantile.
PinEarrings, $42, at Moxie Mercantile | Image Moxie MercantileCotton dress
There are so many things to love about this light blue dress. It’s got an oversized bow, midi length, handy pockets, and subtle scalloped detailing on adjustable tie-top straps. Shop this dress for $74 at Off the Square.
PinDress, $74, at Off the Square | Image: Off the SquareJute bag
Made for the mindful shopper, these 100% jute bags can withstand enthusiastic use and be composted after a long and happy life. Take this shopping, to the beach, or on the plane. They’re made by talented handicraft women in rural Bangladesh who are paid directly. The bags are $101 each at Sugartown Mercantile.
PinBag, $101, at Sugartown Mercantile | Image: Sugartown MercantilePinIt also comes in this lighter jute and blue WOW style. Image: Sugartown Mercantile
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Sandals
A little platform on our summer slides lifts us and our spirits. This comfortable camel pair can effortlessly transport you from poolside to tableside. Shop these for $148.95 at Silverpaper.
PinChunky slides, $148.95, at Silverpaper | Image: Silverpaper
HOME & ENTERTAINING
Wavy bowl
We’re leaning into the wavy, asymmetrical aesthetic right now, and this piece is right on-trend. It’s the perfect medium size for dips, candy, trinkets, flowers, and more. We’re into this periwinkle hue, but there are many others available! Find this for $110 at The Tiny Finch.
PinWavy bowl, $110, at The Tiny Finch | Image: The Tiny FinchBLT dip mix
This Texas gourmet food brand makes entertaining a breeze with artisanal mixes that create dips, soups, and more. Just combine their best-selling BLT dip mix with a cup of mayo, a cup of sour cream, and half a cup of shredded cheese. Let it sit overnight, then serve with your favorite crackers or veggies. You can even switch the base to cream cheese to create a cheeseball! It’s $6 at Mad Dash Mixes.
PinBLT dip mix, $6, at Mad Dash Mixes | Image: FacebookVase wraps
Washington D.C. paper goods designer Lucy Grymes specializes in these clever vase wraps. Dress up your table, shelf, or desk by enclosing any vessel with these paper vases — a jar, can, cut water bottle, stemless wine glass, you name it! A set of three is $19, and there are many patterns and colors at Lucy Grymes. They make a fabulous hostess gift, too.
PinSet of three vase wraps, $19, at Lucy Grymes | Image: Lucy GrymesShort gold straws
These elegant gold straws give your summer sips a little more spunk and shine. They fit any spritz or cocktail glass and are as handy as they are photogenic. The high-quality, food-grade stainless steel will last years with little waste. A pack of three is $16 at Lulubelles.
PinSet of three gold straws, $16, at Lulubelles | Image: LulubellesWine coaster
Say farewell to sweat rings from your crisp whites and rosé wine bottles! These handwoven and lacquered rattan wine coasters have a cute scalloped edge and hold any standard-sized bottle. They’re durable, reusable, and ready for indoor and outdoor entertaining. Pick from these three colors for $19.95 each at Jenn & Co.
PinWine coasters, $19.95 each, at Jenn & Co. | Image: Jenn & Co.
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BATH & BEAUTY
Bug-repelling fragrance
As we pack for any summer vacation, it’s essential that we both smell good and keep pesky bugs away. Called “designer bug spray” for good reason, Charleston fragrance house, The Buzz, crafts multi-functional scents that repel insects too. The Charleston scent — their top seller — layers grapefruit, pineapple, and tangerine, plus peony, vanilla, jasmine, and a woody base. Shop this good-smelling repellent for $65 at The Buzz.
PinBug-repelling fragrance, $65, at The Buzz | Image: The BuzzDiffuser
Kentucky’s Hillhouse Naturals has a new Field + Fleur collection named after your favorite outdoor moments, from “Cut Grass” to “Lake Side” to “Beach Wood.” “Coastal Balsam” features scents of sea lavender, eucalyptus leaf, fresh balsam, cedarwood, and musk. Made in the U.S., the diffuser lasts up to six months. Shop this for $54.50 at Hillhouse Naturals.
PinDiffuser, $54.50, at Hillhouse Naturals | Image: Hillhouse NaturalsTinted sunscreen
Suntegrity’s coveted five-in-one cream treats, hydrates, protects, primes, and covers the skin. Packed with youth-promoting antioxidants that help squash free radicals, this cream provides mineral broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. It comes in a few shades for $45 at The Vibrant Market.
PinTinted SPF cream, $45, at The Vibrant Market | Image: SuntegrityBeach wave spray
“Beach hair” can be challenging to channel when you’re inland. Thankfully, The Cosmetic Market stocks a hair spray from Oribe that does it all: tames, tousles, texturizes, and gives hair a perfect fresh-out-of-the-ocean look. Grab a bottle for $46.
PinAfter-swim beach waver hair spray, $46, from The Cosmetic Market | Image: The Cosmetic MarketHave a joyous July!
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Zoe is a StyleBlueprint freelance writer, Charlotte native, Washington & Lee graduate, and Nashville transplant since 2012. She teaches Pilates, helps manage recording artists, and likes to "research" Germantown's food scene.
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