Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Everything I’d Pack to Survive Summer in Comfort
25
items Summer is lovely until you’re overheating, your shoes start hurting, or you realise the bag you packed is completely useless. This is my practical summer survival kit: breathable clothes, comfortable shoes, cooling essentials, useful bags and a few s...
Sections
5
Portable Fans & Cooling Essentials
Comfortable footwear
Lightweight Clothes
Summer Bags
Summer Body Care & Useful Extras
Portable Fans & Cooling Essentials
Cooling essentials for the days when the heat starts getting annoying. Portable fans, hands-free options and lightweight extras for travel, festivals, commutes, workouts and long days outside.
One of those things you don’t think much about until you’re stuck somewhere hot and suddenly very grateful you packed it. It’s rechargeable, folds down easily, and the adjustable speeds make it useful for commutes, holidays, outdoor events or even a ...
Mini Handheld Portable Fan, 3 IN 1
Best for the days when holding a fan becomes annoying. I’d take this for theme parks, festivals, travel days, long walks or anywhere you know you’ll be outside for hours. Hands-free makes a huge difference when you’re already carrying a bag, phone an...
Portable Neck Cooler
Really useful if you overheat quickly or spend a lot of time outside in summer. Wet one, wring it out and use it around your neck or face when you need a quick cool-down. Easy to keep in a gym bag, travel bag or car for workouts, festivals, gardening...
Cooling Towels for Neck and Face
Comfortable footwear
Summer shoes that are comfortable enough for real life. From flip-flops and slip-ons to smarter heels and wedges, these are the pairs I’d choose for holidays, errands, walking, dinners and long warm-weather days.
Some summer days only need a simple pair of flip-flops. These are light, easy to throw in a beach bag, and ideal for pool days, holidays, garden wear or anywhere proper shoes feel like too much effort.
White Havaianas
A nice middle ground when trainers feel too casual but heels feel unnecessary. The almond toe keeps them polished, while the flat shape makes them easy to wear with jeans, dresses or smarter everyday outfits.
Almond-toe Mary Janes (Nelly)
These are exactly the kind of summer shoes I’d reach for when flats feel too casual but a proper heel feels like too much. The V-cut front and pointed toe keep them looking polished, while the jute wedge gives you some height without making them feel...
V Cut Espadrille Wedges
These are a good option for hot days when sandals feel too exposed but regular trainers feel too heavy. The shape is a little quirky, but they work surprisingly well with leggings, linen trousers, shorts or casual dresses and are practical for lots o...
Nike Air Rift
Easy to slip on, light enough for warm weather and a bit neater than a trainer. I’d wear these with linen trousers, denim shorts or a simple dress when I want something comfortable but still presentable enough for lunch, travel or errands.
TOMS Alpargata Plus Slip-On
These have that polished look without feeling overly dressy. The low heel makes them far more wearable than a traditional pump, and the neutral shade works with almost everything. A great choice for dinners, weddings or summer events when flats feel ...
Kurt Geiger Aria Low 2 Slingback Heel Shoes
Lightweight Clothes
Breathable pieces for the days when it’s too hot to think about getting dressed. Easy dresses, loose trousers and simple tops that work for holidays, errands, travel and everyday summer plans.
This feels made for those outfits that are perfectly fine but need that one extra layer to make them interesting. The eyelet lace, exaggerated sleeves and scalloped hem give it a romantic, slightly boho feel without needing much styling around it. I’...
Juliet Cutwork Duster
A white linen shirt earns its place in summer because it works with almost everything. Wear it open over a vest, tuck it into shorts, throw it over swimwear or pair it with loose trousers when you want something easy but still pulled together.
White Linen Button Up Shirt
These are for the days when jeans are absolutely not happening. The wide-leg shape and light colour keep them feeling relaxed, and they work easily with a vest, linen shirt, sandals or trainers.
Petite wide leg trousers
This has such an easy retro feel without looking costume-y. The halter neckline and A-line shape keep it flattering and simple, while the bold polka dots give it enough personality that you really don’t need to overthink the rest of the outfit. I’d w...
Polka Dot Halter Dress
This has that relaxed holiday feel without looking too casual. The Bardot neckline and crochet detail give it enough interest for dinner or a summer event, but it still works in the daytime with flat sandals and a woven bag.
Roman Ivory Crochet Lace Bardot Midi Dress
The soft blue and flowing shape make this feel made for warm evenings. It’s dressy enough for a wedding, dinner or holiday event, but the draping keeps it from feeling stiff or overly formal.
Light Blue A Line Dress
Worth packing if your summer plans include a wedding, formal dinner or evening event. The wrap shape gives it definition, while the slit stops the full-length silhouette from feeling too heavy in warmer weather.
Sasha Formal High Slit Wrap Dress
Summer Bags
Bags that actually work for summer. From roomy beach totes to smaller crossbody styles and polished investment pieces, these are the ones I’d reach for on holidays, day trips, errands and warm-weather plans.
This is the kind of beach bag I’d happily carry long after the holiday is over. The natural canvas keeps it relaxed, but the tassel details stop it feeling too plain, and the lined interior with two pockets plus the attached coin pouch makes it genui...
Beach Tote
This is the sort of bag that makes a simple outfit look more expensive without feeling overly polished. The handwoven leather gives it plenty of texture, and I love that the straps are removable so you can switch between shoulder bag and crossbody de...
Mini Shoulder Bag in Cognac
Raffia always feels right in summer, and this one has enough structure to look polished rather than beachy. The leather trim gives it a more elevated finish, while the size still works for daytime essentials. Great with linen dresses, shorts or smart...
Panier Small raffia basket bag
This has that relaxed, slightly slouchy shape that works really well in summer. The warm neutral colour goes with linen, denim and floaty dresses, and it’s roomy enough for everyday essentials without feeling bulky. The kind of bag that can take you ...
Isabel Marant Oskan Hobo Bag
Summer Body Care & Useful Extras
The small things that make summer feel easier. Hydration, body care and travel-friendly extras for hot days, holidays, weekends away and everything in between.
Really handy for the areas that get rough or dry in summer, like elbows, knees, arms and heels. The stick format keeps things mess-free, and the glycolic acid helps smooth the skin without turning body care into a whole routine.
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick
A good one to pack if you already love the Bum Bum scent or want something travel-sized for a weekend away. You get the shower cream-gel, Bum Bum Cream and Cheirosa 62 mist, so it covers most of your body-care routine without taking over your bag.
Sol de Janeiro 62 Bum Bum Jet Set
Staying hydrated is much easier when the bottle itself is actually nice to use. The FreeSip lid lets you drink through the straw or tip it back for a bigger sip, and the insulated design helps keep water cold when you’re out in the heat.
Owala FreeSip® 0.7L / 24oz Water Bottle
Not every summer scent needs to smell fruity or tropical. Bubble Bath is clean, soft and slightly soapy, with that fresh-out-of-the-shower feel that works really well in warm weather without becoming overpowering.
Maison Margiela Replica Bubble Bath Eau de Toilette
I love the idea of a proper salon-style blowout without having to book an appointment or juggle three different styling tools. What makes this Dyson Airwrap i.d. particularly tempting is the personalised curling technology, plus the freedom to switch...
Dyson Airwrap™ i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer - Straight + Wavy