Oh, it’s glorious isn’t it? All that sunshine. Looks good, feels good - and it’s set to get even better with a heatwave finally righting all the wrongs of the last tepid summers.
Whether you’re off to a festival, flame-licking meat in your garden or just shooting the breeze with your crew in one of London’s many lush and leafy oasis’ (that’s poetry for…um, parks), make sure you’re properly equipped for those long-awaited double digit temperatures with our hot weather-focused shopping roundups.
When it comes to shopping - to pluck a line from Fatboy Slim - we’ve come a long way, baby. If you’re not using a canvas tote, topping up your refillable water bottle and generally cutting single use waste wherever humanly possible - well, what on earth are you playing at?
That said, it’s always helpful to have a gentle reminder and this month, that comes in the form of Plastic Free July, one of the more useful designated periods of the year, unlike say, National Boiled Egg Day (June 3, FYI).
Brands new and old use these few weeks of the year to highlight the ways they’re fighting litter waste with genius alternatives. Make your larder, bathroom cabinet, beauty bag and more a greener, happier place to be with our roundups of the best plastic-free and refillable products across a host of categories.
Elsewhere, the capital’s best stores and brands are celebrating high summer with a programme of workshops, pop-ups, events - and our favourite - sales! to get you locked and loaded for whatever you’re up to this July.
Buckle up: here’s your Shopping Shortlist, the July 2022 edition.
On your marks, get set -
H&M-owned fashion brand Weekday has teamed up with Berlin-based magazine Container Love to roll out a photography exhibition across all of its European store windows. Viewed through the prism of the queer gaze, the images are also available on limited edition tees available exclusively online for just £19 a pop. We’re head over heels.
With Wimbledon holding court this summer, it’s only right we make a right racket about any related collab. Hot foot it over to Uniqlo where the brand has dropped the second instalment of apparel fashioned in collab with its global brand ambassador, the one and only Roger Federer. The line of tees and caps bear his famous logo and are classically Uniqlo, meaning they’re versatile to wear whatever the occasion.
Shop best women’s tennis shoes
If you’re anything like us, you’d live in Liberty’s timeless heritage prints. Now you can live - and sleep - in them thanks to the launch of Sleep by Design at Liberty, the design-first bedding collection from London’s iconic department store. Using prints from its famous archive, the patterns are hand painted onto the shop’s signature Tana Lawn cotton as well as linen, and luxurious 300 thread count cotton sateen with three collections on offer: Town House, Country House and Arts Club. All available in UK, European and Middle Eastern sizing. Dreamy.
Shop all things beds here.
Calling central London residents: there’s no longer any need to trek to the ‘burbs for reasonably priced groceries. German supermarket Aldi has just opened doors in Old Street, so you no longer have to dip into your overdraft to do the weekly shop. It’s Aldi’s latest small-format shop in the capital - other Local branches can be found in Camden, Kilburn, Tooting and Kingston. The shop will carry slightly fewer products than its regular-sized shops but at a time when we’re all feeling the pinch from higher living costs, the new Aldi Local couldn’t have come at a better time.
Opening times: 7am - 11pm, Monday to Saturday, and 11am - 5pm on Sundays.
Find it: 205 Old Street, London, EC1V 9QN.
Buy now, Find your nearest Aldi here
KFC had its Wrapuette bag (complete with an insulated pocket to keep that handbag essential, a chicken wrap, at optimum gobbling temperature), Burger King had its flame-grilled socks. McDs and Domino’s release Christmas jumpers every year. Now Five Guys has joined the fast food fashion party with preppy all-American merch of its very own.
Going beyond the bun, the US chain has released its first drop which includes embroidered varsity jackets and graphic t-shirts, to branded sweatshirts, bespoke caps (beanies and baseball caps) and of course, socks with red and white checkerboard trims. The pieces are as high quality as the ingredients in-store but they’re only available online. Get your orders in fast, they’ll sell like hot (beef) cakes. From £10.
If you’re running up that hill to all things Stranger Things, we’ve got news of a new fashion collection that’ll turn your wardrobe upside down. The unisex, college-inspired looks span cosy hoodies, tees and long Bermuda shorts (prices from £35). In short, the perfect pieces to wear while watching the second launch of season 4 on July 7.
Can’t wait until then? Shop the current collab now.
Good hair matters, a sentiment the folks at Charles Worthington knows without question - it’s what they’re all about, after all. The celebrated salon has reaffirmed its commitment to cancer support charity Look Good Feel Better, offering not only free workshops to help support those battling the disease but also with in-salon fundraising. Add a donation to your bill and the company will match the total raised in the salon, effectively doubling your contribution. Hair, hair.
A small piece of Latin America has landed in East London with the Mexican Geniuses exhibition celebrating the works of the country's OG art IT couple, Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego. To celebrate, quirky jewllery label Tatty Devine has designed an entire collection inspired by the Mexican art icon.
The range has been made by Tatty Devine's all-female team and uses elements of Frida's work and life to make them wearable works of art in their own right. The earrings and brooches are lovely, but the necklaces are the real headturners. Prices from £30, available from July 6.
The comedian posted on Twitter after the married couple and Love Island presenters' true crime podcast "Partners in Crime" climbed the Spotify charts.
Monday’s front pages focus on the Tory party’s woes.
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Eynsham Carnival returned this weekend with Morris dancing, float judging, shirt races, stalls and more.
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A woman had to have her £2,000 engagement ring cut off by firefighters after it got stuck and made her finger turn purple and numb the day after her fiancé proposed.Source: SWNS