Welcome to our monthly need-to-know dispatch of the latest and greatest releases that should be on your radar for the month ahead.
With a full-time job, busy social life, and social media accounts to update, it’s challenging to keep up with all the shiny newness out there.
But you don’t have to. Here at ES Best, we’ve got our ears to the ground and our noses pressed against digital shop fronts, always looking for the newest fashion, events, and food and drink - so you don’t have to. From sell-out collections to limited edition collaborations, with exclusive events, fresh launches and new store unveilings in between, we’ve got you covered so you don’t miss out on a thing.
There’s nowhere quite like London in autumn: the parks throng with life, sunshine glints off the skyscrapers and ice cream vans trundle along the streets. That said, the new school year will be here before you know it. Get ahead of the pack and kit out the kids now to avoid start-of-term stress later. But between now and scarf-digging-out-time, there’s much to get stuck into.
August is ripe for the taking, whether you’re festival-bound, flipping backyard burgers or escaping to the coast. And with temperatures remaining high, now’s the time to find the cool gadgets to help you beat the heat.
And of course, there’s the usual smorgasbord of glittering new launches, exciting collabs and epic shopping drops to make this August shine.
If you’re ever at a loss for something to do at the weekend or want to scratch the retail therapy itch, we’ll keep this page updated all month long; it’s best to bookmark it so you’ve got the insider’s guide right at your fingertips.
Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter version of this Shortlist for a weekly digest covering everything from fashion and furniture to tech and travel.
Ready, set, shop
The Barn on Airbnb
Incredibly well positioned a stone’s throw away from the legendary White Horse pub (if you don’t know about its food, get to know) and Soho Farmhouse (the Oxford outpost from the private members’ club), The Barn is the country escape that needs to be on your radar now the British summertime has finally arrived.
The quaint property was built in the 18th century but the very contemporary interiors are courtesy of London-based ONLY CHILD Studio. Dotted across the walls are quirky, vibrant illustrations with amusing sayings and mood-boosting soft furnishings but the bones are true to the original features with a log burner and exposed stone walls. Best for four guests but six is possible, it’s a dog-friendly bolthole just an hour and a half from London with an outdoor area primed for hosting.
Prices starting from £145.
Buy now, Airbnb
WHITE CLAW Pineapple & Passionfruit
White Claw has been dominating the festival scene with its hard seltzers since the brand made a splash on UK soil back in 2020. In that time, it has established itself among the sea of canned cocktails, providing a refreshing respite from the teeth-aching sugary beverages that dominate the category.
If you have frequented any day festival in the capital, you will have likely sampled the range that consists of Lime, Mango, Black Cherry and Raspberry but now there are two new additions to the line-up: Passionfruit and Pineapple. The ES Best verdict is in and we decree these the best to date with their tropical flavouring and exotic taste. Crack open a can or two and soak up the August sunshine.
Price for 24 cans.
Buy now £43.00, Amazon
Cowboy chic gets the LV touch
Louis Vuitton will soon launch a men’s workwear capsule collection, featuring three new footwear styles in collaboration with Timberland. The luxury label will imbue an elevated spin on classic Timberland silhouettes with Pharell Williams leading the design team.
So what can we expect when the collection drops on August 8? Refined suiting, Western wardrobes given an elegant upgrade and pearl, stud and embroidery detail. Get it, cowboy.
Harrods launches Miss Dior pop-up
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West London’s world-class shopping scene just upgraded at Harrods where a new pop-up has joined the luxe labels and brands at the Knightsbridge department store. Miss Dior has landed in her temporary home, spotlighting the brand's AW24 collection: think shoes, leather goods, glasses, jewellery and more.
There’s not long to have a browse (if even to just window shop): the Miss Dior pop-up checks out on August 25.
Buy now, Harrods
Heinz brings back its sold-out Tomato Vodka Pasta Sauce
Just over a year after it broke the internet (well, crumbled it at least), sauce kingpin Heinz has relaunched its Tomato Vodka Pasta Sauce made with Absolut vodka.
Last spring the past sauce was so popular that customers were limited to two each and stock sold out in four days. Now it's back exclusively at Waitrose until autumn 2024 when it will be available nationwide.
Buy now £2.50, Waitrose
Ben & Jerry's has a tasty heatwave hack (or three)
We may have seen the hottest day of the year so far, but if there’s more to come, seek refuge with Ben & Jerry.
The US ice cream brand has launched three tasty new freezer favourites, including a vegan mix. There's Marshmallows & S'more (pretty much as advertised), Spectacu-love (spicy biscuit pieces, speculoos and caramel chunks) and the non-dairy Out of this Swirled (expect cinnamon cookies, marshmallow and chocolatey chunks). Crack out the spoons and dig in.
Buy now £3.75, Waitrose
Game, Set, Matcha with Blank Street
Purveyors of trendy and delicious summer drinks, Blank Street has hopped on another in-vogue summer activity this month. Combining delightful, iced matcha tipples with the increasingly popular game of Padel, Blank Street’s Padel Club is open at Battersea Power Station. Bookings are currently open to enjoy a game on the green with a green tea delight waiting for you when you’re done thrashing the competition.
Buy now, Blank Street
Next, Cath Kidston with kitsch home collection
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Maximalists, rejoice! The return of excess in interiors is here. Queen of twee Cath Kidston is launching a new homewares collection and it's full of darling details to bring some whimsical magic into your home.
The collection has it all from rugs and sofas to lighting and accessories, all bearing Kidston's kitsch signature details: think florals, think ruffles, think bows on absolutely everything.
Prices start at just £12.
Buy now, Next
