Reading between the lines of this month’s bestsellers, I spotted a few subtle clues that some of you might be going on holiday. And while I am, of course, stuck in an office, writing you this newsletter, the summer fantasies evoked by this list couldn’t help but bring me a little of that holiday joy.
Whether it’s a cooler backpack for cold drinks on the beach, a super-flattering rainbow swimsuit or a budget head torch to get you back to your tent in the dark, this month’s Filter favourites hint towards a summer well spent. (Just don’t forget to pack the SPF.)
The swimsuit that will make you feel a million dollars
Boden abstract print swimsuit
It’s fair to say that few of us have the same excitement for swimsuit shopping that we have for the holidays themselves. “The trouble with swimsuits,” wrote Jess Cartner-Morley in her guide to the ultimate holiday capsule wardrobe, “is that usually you have to make a choice between the fun, exciting one that looks great on Instagram and the sensible, flattering one that has been designed with an actual, real body in mind.” But this rainbow-coloured swimsuit from Boden is a “win-win” – both beautiful and made “to suit real-world bodies”.
For more, read our guide to the best women’s bikinis and swimsuits
The cooler backpack
Quechua backpack cooler 100
At the Filter, we take cold drinks extremely seriously. So to narrow down the best cool boxes and bags, we enlisted former science correspondent Linda Geddes to conduct a series of tests on everything from thermal performance and ice retention to how easy they were to carry. This bargain insulated backpack wasn’t the highest-spec on test, but surprisingly outperformed many of the solid cool boxes – and has the advantage of being hands-free. Ideal for a short hike, overnight camping trips or a day at the beach.
The dermatologist-backed lip balm
Aquaphor lip repair
“Dry, dehydrated lips can be a nightmare to live with, and some lip balms don’t seem to do anything to fix the problem,” wrote beauty writer Sarah Matthews in our guide to the best lip balm. This hydrating, repairing lip balm is the answer for dry lips – a recommendation backed up by many of the dermatologists Sarah spoke to. And it’s been the most popular with you too – a buy that will keep your lips protected year-round.
The summer basket bag
John Lewis raffia tote bag
Nothing screams summer holidays more than a basket bag (especially if it’s accompanied by the whiff of sunscreen). “I’m literally obsessed with them,” says Jess Cartner-Morley in her holiday capsule wardrobe guide, and this John Lewis raffia tote is her latest favourite. “The square shape and loose raffia are very Prada-coded, but the price tag – £28 – is most definitely not.”
The bargain camping chair
Mountain Warehouse patterned folding chair
“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that a good collapsible camping chair can change your life,” wrote outdoors enthusiast Sian Lewis in our guide to the best camping chairs. A good-quality chair should last you through decades of camping adventures – and can even double up as garden furniture. This lightweight gingham chair has been your favourite: while not as sturdy as some of the others on the list, it’s simple, versatile and costs less than £10.
The best period pants
Wuka stretch seamless midi brief heavy
More eco-friendly than disposable pads and tampons, more convenient than menstrual cups, period pants have become increasingly popular in recent years. Zoë Phillimore trialled more than 30, combining scientific absorbency tests with real-world testing through several menstrual cycles, before selecting the eight best period pants. Her top pick has been your favourite, too: these Wuka briefs were “comfortable to wear, soft and flexible”, all with “a shape and style substantial enough to give you peace of mind without looking like something Bridget Jones would wear”.
The smart-comfy travel trousers
Uniqlo wide trousers
“Forget smart casual,” wrote Jess Cartner-Morley in a recent column. “These days, it’s smart comfy that I want.” And travel trousers – a pair that “present as semi-formal trousers”, but are comfortable enough to wear on a plane or long train journey – were an appealing concept to you too. “Trousers that are comfortable enough to curl up in, but smart enough to pass when you need to look snappy. That feel like athleisure, but present as tailoring,” wrote Jess. “It’s like a cheat code to life!” (And for any men reading, Peter Bevan recommended a very similar pair in his August style essentials.)
The sober spritz
Nozeco alcohol-free spritz
Love Aperol spritz, but fancy something new? Hate Aperol spritz, but don’t want to miss out on aperitivo? Drinks expert Joanne Gould has been spritzing her way through summer to bring you this selection of 10 new options for your next aperitivo hour. Surprisingly, your favourite was this alcohol-free alternative, which was a big hit with Joanne and her testers (as well as winning a recent IWSC gold award). Because “sober people like to spritz too”.
The head torch
Everbeam H6 Pro headlamp
A head torch is often on the list of things I wish I’d brought camping – but our readers are clearly much more sensible. Tom Bruce gathered advice from regular campers to put together this list of must-packs (and what to leave at home). This compact, affordable Everbeam head torch, recommended by regular camper Dave, topped your list.
For more, read our guide to the best head torches tried and tested
The festival toothbrush
Suri electric toothbrush with UV travel case
This Suri toothbrush has been the top sustainable pick in our roundup of the best electric toothbrushes since it was first published. But it’s the accompanying travel case’s UV light that caught your attention recently: its sanitising effect is “perfect for a dirty festival environment”, as Lily Smith wrote in our ultimate festival packing guide – and it would work just as well for camping.
The ultra-light sunscreen
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir Daily Fluid SPF50+
“No fancy product under the ‘anti-ageing’ umbrella is worth a damn if you’re not applying sunscreen in sufficient quantities,” wrote Sali Hughes in a column this month. “You’re almost literally burning your cash. And so I’m saddened by how many people seek neck creams and yet stop applying SPF at their chin.” Her recommendation is this La Roche-Posay formula: “If you hate most sunscreens, I think you’ll love this,” she wrote. It “sinks in instantly, so you can do up your shirt without delay or faff”.
For more, read Sali Hughes’s guide to the best sunscreen
The reusable stickers that keep kids busy
Melissa & Doug reusable sticker book
Many parents have experienced a journey so painful that it began to outweigh the benefits of the holiday. So it’s no surprise that many of you were tempted by these reusable stickers from our guide to long journeys with children. “Reusable stickers have been my go-to for long car journeys since my girls were tiny, and they keep them entertained for hours,” wrote journalist and mum Rebecca Goodman. “My girls usually stick them to the car windows, but they’re also ideal for trains (just peel them off when you leave).”
The no-towel towel
Jacquard-weave beach towel
“Packing for a beach day? You’ll need a towel. And a thin hammam style is my go-to,” wrote Jess Cartner-Morley in our fashion team’s summer style updates. “It will squash into any bag and dry super quickly. I like to get double the use out of it and wear it as a sarong as well.”