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3rd July 2026 
Every season has its staples.
The pieces that earn their place year after year. The ones that get packed first for a weekend away, thrown on for a walk with the dog, or reached for before a summer gathering.
At Walker & Hawkes, we’re fortunate to spend our days surrounded by clothing and accessories designed for country life. Yet there are always a few pieces that stand out from the rest.
Here are some of our favourite summer essentials and why they continue to come with us wherever the season takes us.
The Gleno Safari Hat
If we had to choose one summer hat, the Gleno would be high on the list.
Part of its appeal is its versatility. It looks just as at home at a garden party as it does on a coastal walk, a day at the cricket, or an afternoon spent exploring somewhere new. It’s one of those rare pieces that feels smart without ever feeling formal.
We’re particularly fond of the fact it’s crafted from 100% Baird McNutt Irish Linen. During the warmer months, breathability becomes just as important as style, and Irish linen has long been trusted for its ability to stay comfortable when temperature rises.
The Gleno is also the sort of hat that quietly wears its place. The wide brim offers welcome shade on bright days, while the lightweight construction means you’ll happily wear it from morning through to evening without a second thought.
For us, it’s the hat that always seems to find its way into the car before a summer weekend away. And once it’s there, it rarely makes the journey home without a few new stories attached to it.
The Canterbury Shirt
Every summer wardrobe needs a shirt that can do a bit of everything.
The Canterbury is that shirt for us.
Whether it’s worn for a day in the garden, a trip to the coast, a family barbeque or simply an afternoon spent enjoying the sunshine, it’s the pieces we find ourselves reaching for time and time again. Smart enough to look put together, yet relaxed enough to feel comfortable all day long.
Made from lightweight 100% cotton, it’s particularly well suited to warmer weather. The short sleeves and breathable fabric help keep things comfortable when the temperature rises, while the classic check pattern ensures it never feels out of place.
What we appreciate most, however, is its simplicity. No fuss, no unnecessary details just a well-made shirt that does exactly what you need it to do.
Some summer favourites are reserved for special occasions. Canterbury tends to become a part of everyday life, and that is precisely why we like it so much.
The Corbet Waistcoat
There are some occasions where a T-shirt simply won’t do.
Summer weddings, garden parties, race days and long lunches in the sunshine all call for something a little more considered, and that’s where the Corbet Waistcoat comes into its own.
Crafted from 100% Baird McNutt Irish Linen, it offers the kind of effortless refinement that linen is known for. Smart without feeling formal, and comfortable without looking casual, it strikes a balance that can be surprisingly difficult to find.
What we like most about the Corbet is its versatility. Worn with a shirt and chinos, it creates a relaxed yet polished look for summer events. Pair it with the matching Banbridge Blazer and it becomes something altogether more distinguished.
It’s one of those pieces that has a habit of receiving compliments, not because it’s loud or attention-seeking, but because it simply looks right. Timeless, understated and exceptionally well made, it’s a waistcoat we find ourselves returning to whenever the occasion calls for making a little more effort.
The Cambridge Cap
Every collection has those dependable pieces that quietly ge tmore wear than anything else.
For us, the Cambridge Cap is one of them.
Whether it’s an early morning dog walk, a trip into town, a day at a country show or simply a weekend spent outdoors, it’s the cap that seems to suit almost ever
y occasion. Smart enough to look considered, practical enough to wear without a second thought.
Its traditional tweed design gives it a timeless character, while the Teflon-treated fabric helps protect against everyday marks, light showers and the inevitable wear that comes with regular use. In other words, it’s built for real life.
What we appreciate most about Cambridge is that it never feels like an accessory. It quickly becomes part of the uniform, the piece hanging by the door, ready to grab on the way out.
Some hats are bought for a particular season. Cambridge has a habit of staying with you all year round.
The Banbridge Blazer
Every summer benefits from one blazer that can do it all.
For us, that’s Banbridge.
Crafted from 100% Baird McNutt Irish Linen, it has become a favourite for those occasions where you’d like to look smart without feeling overdressed. Whether it’s a summer wedding, a day at the races, a special dinner or simply an excuse to make a little more effort, the Banbridge always feels appropriate.
What sets it apart is the ease with which it can be worn. Linen has a naturally relaxed character, meaning the blazer never feels stiff or overly formal. Instead, it offers the kind of effortless elegance that summer dressing is all about.
We also appreciate its versatility. Worn with chinos and an open-collar shirt, it creates a refined yet relaxed look. Pair it with the matching Corbet Waistcoat and it becomes a complete outfit capable of carrying you through the season’s most memorable occasions.
If the Canterbury is the shirt we reach for most often, and the Gleno is the hat that accompanies us on summer adventures, then the Banbridge is undoubtedly the piece we choose when the occasion calls for something a little more special.
Timeless, comfortable and unmistakably elegant, it’s a blazer we expect to be wearing for many summers to come.
