Heat wave must-have’s

With all the hot weather we have had in May, one could not be blamed for thinking that Jersey is now somewhat of an exotic paradise, and that summer has finally arrived (all a bit of a shock to the system!). For us in the shop, it meant that we fast-forwarded the two week period that we usually have yearly (where we need neither our heaters nor the fans) straight to as many possible ways of air conditioning as possible. It made us all realise that whilst we are equipped for some sunny weather and some hotter days, when the temperature really and truly rises, we are rather unprepared! Cue the true British way of complaining about the weather…and then complaining when it passes!

So it got us thinking - and daydreaming about a summer this hot - about what in the shop helped us get through the heatwave, and items that the Team all use in the hot weather that we’d have been lost without.

Fans

When the heat really was unbearable, despite our dear fan units trying their utmost to keep the shop cool, we used our hand held fans - and they were lifesavers! We made a funny reel on socials about the fans saving the day (and whilst we did have a giggle, we were truly grateful!). Our fans are proper fancy fans too, all the way from Ibiza, and come in a range of colours and sizes, plain or with slogans. We are partial to the hilarious and rude slogan fans we have upstairs on the shop floor, but appreciate they are perhaps not for everyone, nor the sort of thing that you might take to a crowded beach (we see you in particular, our very rudest, very glittery fan!). Which is why we also ordered in plenty plain ones - it may depend on the extent to what you think is ‘plain’, but we do have glittery, metalic, patterned or just single colour fans - to cover all bases. Smaller fans (which work just as well) are £15, with the extra-large fans priced at £25.

Wet bags

All we wanted to do after a day in our very hot shop was go for a lovely swim to cool off, which we imagine was probably the same thought every single person on the Island had, considering how packed every beach car park was! Our wet bags are a favourite for a reason: they are both useful and beautiful! Whilst we love to show off their colours, their practical element is by far the reason why they are so popular. All the team have them - and love them - for their ease! Small wet bags can fit multiple swim suits in, and means no leakages in your bag, whilst keeping all your swim wear accessible and together. We can’t stress how much we all use ours! Useful all year round, but especially in the hot weather.

Sunglasses

We are very much aware that sunglasses are very personal. But, we also know that buying a designer pair of sunglasses, just to inevitably sit on them, or lose them in a moment of heat induced brain fog, is a very saddening (and maddening) experience. Our sunglasses by Barner are a staple for us because they are both reasonably priced, but also extremely well made. The frames are extra durable, the lenses are polarised, and they come with an easy to fit neoprene-style case to keep them safe. We all love the different styles and lens colours on offer, and they have become an essential with the sunny weather. And at £40, it’ll be much less upsetting to mislay them (though luckily we are all safe so far!).

Kaftans

Harriet and Rose has been the home of ‘wafting’ since the very beginning (where you may remember Harriet coining the term ‘wafting’ and it sticking ever since). As a Team, we rep much of the clothing that we sell - t-shirts, dressing gowns, kimonos - and now…the kaftan. We’ve stocked them in the summer months for the past few years, but the ones that have arrived in our orders this year? Even better than the years before. We often joke with customers that our pay checks are circular in the business from all the buying we do - and the kaftans are now no exception. In the heat, they have been perfect thrown over swimwear, or used around the house as a lighter layer. Made from cotton with an adjustable waist tie, they have been our best friend in the hot weather.

Whilst Jersey may not be quite set out for the exotic temperatures that we experienced at the end of May, seeing the sun for so many consecutive days was rather a treat! And with our handy favourites, it meant that we could enjoy the heat as much as possible. So whether you are jet-setting off to the heat, or want to be prepared for the summer, look no further than our Harriet and Rose Heat Wave essentials.