I attended college in a small Vermont town where winter lasts from September to May and that first warm spring day is like a religious rebirthwith more debauchery. It’s barbecue, midriff-baring, flip-flop-wearing, beer-drinking season—like a pop country song with more Patagonia.
One year, that first spring day coincided with a friend’s 22nd birthday. While the Adirondacks turned purple in the fading evening light, we drank cheap beer out of red Solo cups and stood around a bonfire until most of the boys had consumed enough PBR to decide that hurdling over the flames was obviously the next best idea. Not wanting to be shown up (andhoping to impress a boy), I prepared to follow suit. I unzipped my hoody and backed up to the grass to take a running leap over the fire, which is precisely the moment I remembered I was wearing a clunky pair of cowboy boots, quite possibly the most ill-conceived fire-jumping shoes. By the time I got them off, the crowd had migrated insideand I had missed mychance.
Which just goes to show that barbecueseason commands a very particular style—one that should allow youto jump into whatever shenanigans pop up at a moment’s notice.
Forthis summer’s weekend barbecues, here are a few things to keep in mind:Make it casual, keep it simple, aim for cute, but prepare for all contingencies. You never know when you might have to jump over a fire. These six items will keep you versatile this summer.
Sunski Dipsea Sunglasses ($55)
Even though the retro styling ofthese lightweight glasses makes them look like expensive designer shades, theruns a reasonable $55. This means you can show up looking stylish without having to spend any of your wiffle ball game stressing that you’ll total your pricey sunnies. They also have excellent polarized lenses for the price point,keeping your eyes comfortable and relaxed in the sun.
Outdoor Research Flyway Dress ($69)
The looks elegant and was built to move,thanks to its stretchy, lightweightcotton-polyester blend and built-in shelf bra—meaning you won’t have to back out of a spirited game of volleyball because you decided to dress up for the barbecue. The 15 percent cotton in this dress feels great next to yourskin, andthe 85 percent polyester wicks away moisture so you won’t find your dress soaked if you start to sweat or put it on right after a swim.
Ahnu Hanaa Sandal ($65)
The footbed on Ahnu’s features a hearty yet comfortable four millimeters of rubber, making these shoesperfect for hammering during a game of Frisbee and comfortable if you stand around all day during a less mobile barbecue. The smooth leather two-strap uppers are just dressy enough to not look like sport sandals, while the lowers won’t stop you from playing.
Dakine Alana Trucker Hat ($15)
While woven sun hats are beautiful and can cast shade over your face, neck, and potentially shoulders,nothing is more versatile than a trucker hat. Stuff it into a daypack before riding to your barbecue, and it will arrive at the party offering the same utility as it did before you transported it there. You can swim worry-freein a truckerhat, and most are synthetic, so they will dry quickly. We love the floral design of Dakine’s and the fact that it’s made from 100 percent recycled materials.
Super.Natural Hooded Cover Up 140 ($90)
Even midday barbecues have a tendency to run into the evening. Don’t limit yourself to the sun’s movement: Bring something to cover up with, like this . On top of looking sharp with its oversized hood and ruching on the arms,thismidweight hoodieis made from cozy blend of 50 percent merino wool and50 percent polyester that will keep you warm without causing you to overheat on warm summer nights.
Hydro Flask 16-Ounce True Pint ($22)
Show up atyour next barbecue prepared for a keg, wine, or any drink you want to keep cold with the ,an ideal summer barbecue vessel. The double-walled insulated interior and powder-coated exterior keepcold drinks cold for hours and makethe True Pint really tough to break if you drop it.