You don’t need to look at the weather forecast right now to know that it’s very hot. You wake up sweating, you go to work sweating, you come home sweating, and you go to sleep sweating. This skin-melting, headache-inducing, brow-glistening heat has come out of nowhere, and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere soon either.
Leaving us with one option: buckle up. Turn the fans up to maximum, fill every ice tray you own, stock the freezer with a multipack of Magnums, and think carefully about what you’re wearing before you head out.
For July’s Proper Picks, we’ve rounded up our favourite warm-weather essentials (including a couple of jackets) to help you navigate the heatwave.
We’ll be the first to admit – we miss wearing jackets. Sure, this weather and the general feeling of optimism that comes with it are nice, but it doesn’t even come close to the feeling of putting on something like this Battenwear Scout Anorak.
Just as Wu-Tang Clan advised us back in 1993, it’s very important to Protect Ya Neck in this type of heat. And this mad-looking YDOT cap will do exactly that.
Frismworks Fold Fatigue Wide Pants
Unlike the chocolatey imagery this colour conjures, these Frizmworks trousers won’t leave you melting. In fact, they’ll do the opposite, thanks to a lightweight cotton-nylon blend.
We’d wager that Massimo Osti never once wore a hoodie during his 59-year lifespan – but that doesn’t make this Stone Island Marina one any less cool. Just look at those drawstrings. Simply sublime.
Every outdoor person and their dog seems to be rocking Oakley Eyejackets this summer – and quite frankly, we’re bored of them. These Ombraz Teton shades are every bit as cool, with the added bonus that they haven’t already found their way onto every face on the planet.
Originally added this as a joke, but now seriously debating grabbing one. Not even to shoot other people with, just to fire at my own face every 15 minutes to keep my core temperature in check.
Hanwag & Eye_C has become one of our favourite, yet most unexpected repeat partnerships in recent memory. This Gritstone II was one of their duo’s initial efforts, and it continues to stand as one of their best.
Serious bit of summer ‘eadwear. Liam Gallagher will almost definitely be photographed wearing this soon, and it will almost definitely sell out shortly thereafter.
Snow Peak Sulfur Dyed Fade Coverall
We can’t say for sure if Snow Peak’s design team has been leafing through vintage Stone Island catalogues recently, but this jacket would certainly make it seem that way.
This excellent graphic tee has prompted the writer to rewatch The Lost Boys (1987) – will report back in approximately 24 hours.
One thing we will not be debating this summer is the best ice lolly. Obviously, undoubtedly, without hesitation, the answer is Solero. Twister comes in a close second.
An aptly titled Helinox chair, given that the Proper office genuinely does feel like the Savanna Desert right now.
Blacksmith Twill Two Button Pullover
The kind of garment you’d find in your Dad’s wardrobe when you were a teenager, lose during one inebriated underage night, and spend the rest of your life regretting it.
Hardly the weather for hot drinks, but this AR Ceramics mug has us craving a mug of Yorkshire Gold, the exact same shade as an Amazon Prime delivery parcel.
Why compete with the sun when you can outshine it? Slip into a shade of yellow that’s brighter and bolder with this Earth/Studies Snap Pullover.
Kick us onto a desert island with nothing but a Tesco bag full of clothes, and we’d be praying that a solid pair of beige pants (not that dissimilar to these Blacksmith ones) was somewhere inside. Preferably accompanied by loads of water and a one-way ticket off the desert island.
We’ve always wondered what the Jasper would look like if it enlisted in the British Army at 16. And this ripstop rendition clearly proves that KEEN has been wondering the same thing.
Snow Peak Drip Dry Travel Towel
We’d be willing to bet this Snow Peak towel shares the exact same pattern as your primary school art teacher’s handbag.
Stüssy Beach Ombre Plaid Shirt
This Stüssy shirt will have people saying ‘Woah, check you out‘. Get it? Because it’s got checks on it. What do you mean that’s plaid, not check? Alright pal, bet you’re fun at parties.
When the temperature climbs, going barefoot is hard to beat. But for those occasions when that’s not socially acceptable, the KEEN Uneek is the next best thing.
The Khakis Trooper Pant looks to be an Americana-inspired take on Maharishi’s iconic Snopant, and personally, we think the South Korean brand has nailed it.
Summer outfits don’t have to be boring. All it takes is a bandana. Tie one onto an otherwise forgettable outfit and suddenly you’re tapping into pirate-core, or maybe even cowboy chic.
Sometimes, all you need is a really, really good t-shirt. And this Sunray Sportswear Makaha tee is exactly that. And naturally, it doesn’t come cheap.
Serious Grandad getting dressed up to go down the skittle alley energy from these Mephisto Match.
Once again, this was included as a joke, but I actually can’t think of anything more pleasurable than dunking my sweaty trotters in a cheap inflatable paddling pool right now.
Purposefully resisted chucking a load of football-themed items in this list (we did that here), but this Parra tee is too nice to simply ignore.
Power Goods – Perfect 6 Panel Cap
Big claim from Power Goods calling this the ‘perfect’ cap, but we don’t really have a good counterargument. Great ivy-style influenced colourway.
Can you imagine a more summery shopping bag than this bright orange Montbell one? We can’t.
Works and Days Rayon Classic Check Shirt
Rayon might just be one of the best fabrics to sport in this heat – super lightweight, super breezy, and in the case of this Works and Days shirt, super stylish too.
Snow Peak Ultralight Double Weave Mountain Parka
If they remade Michael Cimino’s The Deer Hunter in modern-day Manchester, and cast an outerwear-obsessed MMU Fashion Communications Student to play Robert De Niro, this is the jacket he’d be wearing.
Uskees 5024 Ripstop Utility Shorts
The closer a pair of shorts resembles a pair of boxer shorts, the better and more comfortable they’re going to be. And these Uskees shorts look a hell of a lot like a pair of boxer shorts.
We’re not quite entirely sure how they’ve managed it, but Hikerdelic pre-empted all of this lovely weather back when they released this Sol Tee.
We’ve seen so many people wearing Authentics this summer. Suppose you could say we’re going through something of a Vandemic.
The sort of eyewear your mum wore to pick you up from football training in the early ’90s.
A table fan that blows air and little clouds of lovely cold moisture? Yeah, we’ll take ten.
Lovely Norse Projects cap. Perfect if your name is Nicholas, Nigel, or even Nathaniell.
Putting on sunscreen will never be cool. But if you’re going to do it, you might as well use a cool brand like Pelotan.
Kapital Big Striped Cotton Jersey
Kapital have entered the rugby shirt market, and we have to admit they’ve done so in style. Even if the price tag does make us wince a bit.
Undoubtedly one of the most important (and attractive) adidas silhouettes ever made. All hail the Tobacco!
