'Things I Like This Month,' is a monthly newsletter where I share things I genuinely like or that stood out to me and felt worth talking about.

Everything you read in this article is my honest opinion, and nothing is paid for. I’m always excited to see new quality products and discover new brands or makers, so I’m always very happy when you guys send me suggestions or something you think I might like.

Bennett Winch S.C Holdall

Summer is the time of year when people are most open to travel. If you're not someone who goes away for a couple of weeks, but rather takes a few shorter trips, then this bag is for you. The description on the website says that you can pack one suit, but I easily packed two summer blazers and two shirts, and I think I could have fit even more. The bag is big enough to hold everything you need for a 5-7 day summer getaway. But keep in mind it’s a heavy bag, this canvas version weighs 2.2 kilos on its own, and the leather and suedeversions even a bit more. It does come with a shoulder strap, so it shouldn’t be a problem if you're not used to carrying heavy bags. If you often travel with suits or shirts, this is a must-have for shorter trips.

Check it out.

Decorum Continuum Collection by Yasuto Kamoshita

This is a very well-curated summer collection, offering a variety of styles, so everyone should be able to find something that works for them. Some might love the Skipper polo or the Mandarin overshirt, but I prefer the suits and camp collar shirts. Even though the whole collection captures a relaxed summer vibe really well, I think the double-breasted suits with unconstructed jackets are in a category of their own. With looser trousers, they reflect relaxed summer tailoring at its best. A summer suit like this works so well with everything, from a T-shirt, like the Boat Neck Breton from this collection, to a more serious look with a shirt and maybe even a tie, or a very relaxed summer vibe with a their YK Soleil Shirt.

The suit comes in five colors, and the Soleil camp collar shirt in four. I like most of them, so it would be hard to pick a favorite, but I think I would go with the blue seersucker in the end.

Explore the collection.

New Frames by Banton Frameworks

This year the British makers released two new lines of frames, an updated Linea line and Mòr, which is a completely new design. They use thicker acetate for their handmade frames, giving them a very luxurious feel, and the new Mòr frames are even thicker so they make an even bolder statement. I had the chance to try them out over a few days to figure out which frame I liked the most, and I’m happy to say that the styles from the new Linea line are more refined compared to last year’s designs. I mean that in terms of design details - the front of the frame is slightly thicker, so with the same frame size, the lens area is a bit smaller. The lines and curves of the frames also look nicer and more refined. As I said, the Mòr line has even more presence, especially since the temples are wider. And if I haven’t mentioned it yet, the build quality on all of their frames is superb! There are more than 25 new styles in total, so there should be something for everyone. If you're looking for very well-built frames (for sunglasses or prescription glasses) from an independent maker, they’re definitely worth checking out.

They only release the frames six times a year, for just a couple of days each time, and the next opening is on July 2nd, so set your reminders so you don’t miss out!

Check them out.

Morjas Espadrille

As summer sets in, more people are dressing very casually and espadrilles are a great way to stay elegant. I can’t say this for all espadrilles, as many have very thin soles and don’t hold their shape well. These from Morjas are definitely the nicest and most elegant option I’ve seen so far. They’re set on a sturdy 3.5 cm jute sole and come with either a suede or canvas upper, so they should hold their shape well. Available in seven subtle colours.

Check them out.

Molequin Sand Suede Watch Strap

I love my Serica 6190 Commando watch, but I wanted it to be even more versatile, so I started thinking about a good alternative to their Bonklip bracelet. I decided to try a sand suede strap from Molequin. First because it makes the watch look completely different on a strap, and second, because Molequin creates beautiful quality products. The sand suede strap adds an elegant touch, but when paired with this watch, the color creates a kind of premium military vibe. This strap also pairs nicely with a more elegant watch and offers a totally different aesthetic depending on the watch. It’s a win-win in my opinion. This is a beautifully crafted product that’s versatile enough to work with most watches!

Check it out.

Malloch's x John Smedley Cromford Cotton Polo Shirt

A polo is an absolute summer essential, and this one is one of the highest-quality examples you can get. The Cromford Polo is based on one of Chris’s vintage Smedley polo shirts with a three-button placket with fisheye Corozo nut buttons. They chose fisheye buttons to honor the vintage Smedley polo they sampled. These buttons are sourced from Courtney & Co., an excellent independent British button maker based in Gloucestershire. The polo shirt is named after a village near the Smedley factory in Matlock a tribute to the polo shirt’s origin. It’s made in England by John Smedley and is available in Navy, Khaki Green, Brown, Light Grey, White, and French Navy.

Check them out.

Wearing Ties

Navy Grenadine Tie, Navy Regimental Tie, Brown Grenadine Tie

I wasn’t entirely sure which vibe I would go with for some of the Pitti events, so I packed a few ties in case I wanted to go for a more formal look. And I ended up wearing all three I packed! I’m a casual dresser most of the time, so I guess the opportunity to wear a tie, even though it wasn’t required, helped me appreciate it a lot more. And knowing I wouldn’t be the only one wearing one definitely helped with my decision.

I paired my cream summer suit with a white shirt and brown grenadine tie, my grey/beige striped suit with a white shirt and navy grenadine tie, and my pearl suit with a light blue linen shirt and a navy silk regimental tie. All three looks are very different, and I think it shows there’s a range of formality even when wearing a suit and tie.

The grey/beige striped suit with the navy tie is definitely the most serious and formal. Then I’d probably put the pearl suit with the light blue shirt and navy silk regimental tie in the middle. The cream suit with a white shirt and brown tie feels the most relaxed, maybe even casual. I could wear that look on any day and not feel too serious. After this trip I might start wearing ties more often!

Shorts

I’m not the biggest fan of shorts, but we’re entering peak summer season, so they’re essential for the next 2–3 months. That doesn’t change the fact that I’ll still stick with longer trousers most of the time, but on weekends, and on days when it’s really hot outside, you might catch me wearing shorts. If you’re still looking for the perfect pair, I’ve put together a list of the best quality shorts you can buy today .

Is there anything that caught your attention this month? Let me know in the comments.