Welcome to our pick of the most gorgeous and quintessentially British brands you need to know about this summer…
Of course Solpardus is proud to be a British brand with all our garments manufactured in England, so I couldn’t create a list of British summer essentials without including the all natural bamboo fabric Thea Onepiece and linen Delphi Kimono Robe which have both become staples of my summer wardrobe!
Chatham
With over 30 years of shoe making expertise, family-run Chatham create classic sailing and country footwear. Inspired by a love for the great outdoors, exploration and adventure, Chatham shoes have a signature British style, marrying traditional craftsmanship with innovation, the finest materials and attention to detail. Each shoe is designed to be of the highest quality and durability, with comfort and function ensuring they will withstand all that nature might throw your way.
‘Olivia Lady G2 - Premium Nubuck Leather Slip-On Deck Shoes’
Crafted in a rich chocolate nubuck leather, the Olivia is part of Chatham’s G2 Collection - famed for its long-lasting high quality shoes. The classic moccasin construction and hand stitching, coupled with its anti-bacterial and shock absorbing sole, offers maximum comfort and Chatham’s unique 2-year guarantee. “Designed with a nautical lifestyle in mind, don't sail off without a pair!”
Alex Monroe
Inspired by nature and a Suffolk childhood nostalgia, Alex Monroe jewellery is designed and responsibly handmade in England by Alex himself and their team of expert makers and skilled long-term partners. From its strong British roots, Alex Monroe jewellery is now loved worldwide for its unique details and beautiful craftsmanship!
‘Sail into the Sunset Engraved Ring’
This beautifully engraved ring shows a galleon sailing into the sunset with the stars peeking out. Part of the “Gather a Dream” collection, this ring represents pushing your dreams to “an infinite horizon of hope and adventure”, and what a magical way to start the summer! Being based on the south Cornish coast, here at Solpardus we are more sailors than surfers so a few pieces from this collection have already found a home with family members!
‘Paleontology Nugget Bracelet’
This in-line bracelet shows fossilised nuggets detailed with botanicals, animals and the iconic Alex Monroe bumblebee. Having always been both a dinosaur and Natural History Museum fan, this jewellery collaboration with the famous London museum had my eyes aglow with excitement! The intention for the collection was to capture “the breath-taking wonder of a first visit to a grand Museum” and Alex Monroe certainly delivered. Perfect timing with the latest release of the new Jurassic World film too!
Wildness Lingerie
Born in Brighton, from a desire to create luxurious yet natural lingerie, Wildness works with talented technicians to bring their gorgeously comfortable collections to life. Made from organic cotton jersey, superfine Tencel and organic bamboo viscose, Wildness lingerie allows your body to breathe whilst looking absolutely stunning!
‘Spirit Bra and Thong’
Made with 100% organic cotton classic broderie anglaise and organic bamboo trim, the ‘Spirit Bra’ is not only amazingly comfortable but beautiful. What an amazing change to find natural underwear that is also pretty!! This super flattering vintage style bra compliments their ‘Spirit Thong’, with supersoft Portuguese Tencel and organic cotton jersey back ensuring all day comfort. Much like Solpardus, Wildness are skin-friendly, covering the elastic at the back of their thongs with super light cotton and Tencel jersey. After a recent, rather toasty, trip to Ibiza I can confirm that Wildness underwear is a dream in summer weather!
Tusting
With five generations behind this British brand, it’s no surprise their bags are the pinnacle of timeless elegance and craftsmanship. Creating “everyday essentials that stay by our side whatever life throws at us”, a Tusting bag will not only last a lifetime but will be handed down for generations to come. Everything from Tusting is handmade in their Lavendon workshop, and I can personally attest to their above and beyond level of customer service. Forget the coveted Birkin, Tusting in all its British handmade glory truly has my heart!
‘Savannah’
In collaboration with India Hicks, this sustainable, lightweight, large full grain leather tote is perfect for comfortably hauling around your summer paraphernalia. Made with no metal parts, the Savannah is not only large but super lightweight. Soft rolled handles and piping filled with fine rope, keep the bag elegantly structured, because there’s nothing worse than attempting to rummage down a floppy cavernous bag to your sunglasses!
Elizabeth Scarlett
Existing to “promote joyful living, while raising funds to protect our planet’s precious wildlife”, Elizabeth Scarlett creates the perfect travel accessories! Elizabeth’s hand painted watercolours are translated onto gorgeous fabrics with intricate embroidery. The family owned business “grew from a passion for art, finding pleasure in small everyday moments and appreciating the natural world around us” and has raised over £500,000 for charities and projects supporting animal conservation.
‘Sun Goddess Wash Bag’
Inspired by the warmth and wonder of the sun, this wash bag has become an essential for me when travelling. The hand-drawn sun motif is intricately embroidered using gold and vanilla threads onto a soft velvet base. The interior boasts a plethora of inner pockets and an essential waterproof lining. This wash bag brings elegance and luxury to any hotel bathroom!
Luma Eyewear
Inspired by their home landscapes of Devon and Cornwall, Luma Eyewear display a passion for the great outdoors and looking after our environment. Luma blend sustainable practices with sleek design to create sunglasses crafted to enhance your outdoor experiences and stand up to the elements.
‘Bantham Tortoise’
Sustainable wood and recycled ocean plastics combine to create the ‘Bantham Tortoise’ sunglasses. My absolute favourite style from Luma, these sunglasses are inspired by the golden sands and rolling waves of Bantham Beach in Devon. Polarised UV400 lenses cut glare from the water and sand, ensuring 100% UV protection. “Much like Bantham’s unspoiled coastline and adventurous spirit, these sunglasses combine sustainability, performance, and timeless coastal style”.
Scentered
This 100% natural aromatherapy brand is on a mission to help you “feel and be more resilient when juggling daily life”. Scentered’s range of portable, multi-use aromatherapy balms address the most common wellbeing needs to help improve sleep, reduce stress and anxiety, encourage positivity and confidence, support hormonal and emotional balance and promote a sense of calm control. I adore their balm form as this prevents any nasty oil leaks in your bag and any greasy residue on your skin and clothes!
‘Aromatherapy Balm Discovery Set’
The ”Discovery set” contains each of Scentered’s best-selling 100% natural balms - “Happy, Focus, De-stress, Escape, Love and Sleep Well”. Although the premise is to trial each balm and find the best fit for you to buy the full size equivalent (each kit including 50% off a full size balm of your choice) I have found these minis are the perfect size to pop in your bag and combat the stress of summer travel! Carefully formulated with Vitamin E giving moringa and shea butter, these non-greasy, quick absorbing balms are a definite essential for your handbag this summer.
Shaded The Label
Shaded The Label combines exquisite craftsmanship with natural designs and quality materials to create wardrobe staples for life. Founded and designed by Flo, ethically handcrafted by artisans around the world and hand finished in her studio in Cornwall, each piece is made using natural, recyclable and sustainable materials. Much like our ethos at Solpardus, Shaded steers away from the environmental threat of overproduction and instead creates up to a maximum of eight hats in each design. This means quantity never outweighs demand and provides a luxurious exclusivity to each piece.
‘Hendra Coffee Velvet Fedora Hat’
Handcrafted in pure Merino wool with a stiff turned up brim, the “Hendra Coffee Fedora Hat” is an easy style for all seasons. The design can also support the addition of gorgeous 22K Gold Plated Sterling Silver accessories, including a detachable necklace that can be worn on the hat or neckline. All your accessories in one stunning design!
Pai
Sarah knew natural ingredients were the only way forward for her sensitive skin and wasn’t willing to compromise - something I can wholly relate to! Pai now offers an incredible range of beautiful, certified organic products that provide results for even the most sensitive skin types.
‘The Impossible Glow™ Glow Drops’
These glow drops are like sunshine in a bottle! Pai’s “Impossible Glow™ Glow Drops” use Hyaluronic Acid and Sea Kelp for hydration, as well as Vitamin C-rich Lemon Fruit Water, to boost radiance at a deeper level - “for brighter skin that appears lit from within”. The clever naturally-derived pigment inside contains particles that reflect and refract the light like a prism. Fragrance-free and clinically proven for sensitive skin, I add a drop to my moisturiser in the morning and instantly have a summer glow and combined confidence boost!
Ruskin
A passing conversation with a local sheep farmer in the English Lake District led Alli Abdelal to consider how she could innovate to reimagine the potential in Herdwick wool. Ruskin now boasts not only a signature tweed range, but a broader range of leather artisan bags “defined by a luxuriously muted colour palette and soft organic textures and curves”. Much like Solpardus, Ruskin endeavours to create tightly edited collections of depth and beauty, leaning away from overproduction.
‘Clutch Con Cinta Bracken’
Ruskin have reimagined the classic clutch to produce the ‘Clutch Con Cinta’, that can also be worn as a crossbody/belt bag. Handcrafted in Italy using soft 100% full-grain Italian Nappa leather, this bag is not only ridiculously luxurious but will last a lifetime. One of the gorgeous properties I love about leather is how beautifully it ages and evolves as you use it - plus it smells divine!
Fussy
On a mission to banish single-use plastic from our bathrooms, Fussy create simple, high-quality and effective personal care products. Launched in 2020 through a Kickstarter project, their now award-winning case, inspired by the humble pebble, is designed to last a lifetime and made with recycled plastic, as well as being fully recyclable. The Fussy Refills are made from waste sugarcane, and their deodorant itself is made from natural ingredients that are kind to skin.
Sweet vanilla is exactly what I want any summer sweat to smell like! Knowing that my deodorant isn’t harming my skin and is allowing my body to rid itself of any toxins makes buying Fussy a no brainier - especially when it comes in this ‘Burnt Orange Case’ which is 100% on brand for Solpardus!
Sloane Stationary
Handmade in England by classically trained bookbinders, this notebook is the perfect place to jot down your summer ideas as you sit drink in hand! Founder and designer Nathalie van Spaendonck originally trained as a biologist, working in research and later marketing before setting up Sloane Stationery. Launched in 2014, Sloane Stationery brings the traditional craft of bookbinding into the modern day with the attitude that t everyone should be able to “get sh*t done - in style”! Through fun and quirky designs and made to last craftsmanship, Sloane Stationary make sitting down at your desk an exciting prospect! I find in this modern age of phone notes and laptops, having a gorgeous notebook and pen handy generates the best ideas.