Sweater weather may be several weeks away, but G&G editors are ready to soak up the last long weekend of summer with a little help from Fieldshop. Here’s what we’re eyeing for a day at the beach, in the field, or spent with friends.
Labor Day weekend in my family means celebrating my nephew’s birthday, usually with a pool party. He’s a budding fisherman, and his sun hat is already getting ratty. I know he’d love this sharp-looking G&G-themed replacement, whether for the pond, the pier, or his grandparents’ pool deck.
—Amanda Heckert, executive editor
I’ve worn enough field vests to know that comfort and quality components make a difference in the fluid nature of your shot and also your enjoyment as the miles add up during the day. Ball and Buck’s vest gets it done while adding an element of style. And who doesn’t also want to look sharp with a vest full of birds.
—Dave DiBenedetto, editor in chief
In our household, 3:00 p.m. is officially “cheese o’clock,” but I’ll take pretty much any excuse to break out a cheesy snack. This bundle would be easy to grab on my way out the door for an afternoon by the pool, with no prep required. Sharp cheddar, beer, a little spice—plus crunchy dippers? That’s my kind of Labor Day spread.
—Emily Daily, newsletter director
Semantics aside (is this a bell? more of a gong?), it’s the entertaining tool I never needed, never knew I wanted, and now simply must have. Because the only thing more joyous than announcing that drinks are ready is doing so with this conversation piece from Sea Island Forge. “Did you just ring a bell?” guests will surely ask. “A triangle is actually an idiophone,” I will respond. (Thanks, Google.) And when the festivities are over, I can summon my kids to do any number of things—pick up their clothes, put on their shoes, homework—with a little more pizzazz.
—Elizabeth Florio, senior digital editor
Labor Day usually finds me fishing or on the disc golf course. This G&G signature shirt from Free Fly blends one of my favorite outdoor clothing companies with my (of course) favorite magazine. Free Fly is known for some of the softest shirts in the biz, and this bamboo crewneck is lightweight, breathable, and UV-protective, perfect for still-warm September.
—Dave Mezz, deputy editor
Name a chicer way to carry around beers and boat snacks, I’ll wait. This insulated straw tote is giving Nancy-Meyers-coastal-grandma vibes in all the best ways and will be the perfect addition to my Labor Day weekend bachelorette party on 30A. Plus, it can carry wine bottles for backyard dinner parties and park picnic supplies long into the balmy Charleston fall.
—Caroline Sanders Clements, senior editor
As much as I enjoy making my own syrups and shrubs for cocktails, I’ll always welcome a tasty shortcut, especially when traveling for holiday festivities. I love to bring my matcha kit with me when I visit friends, and this rose cordial would give my morning iced lattes a fancy floral upgrade—and can come back out in the evening for a drizzle into creekside cocktails.
—Gabriela Gomez-Misserian, digital producer
Ever since my nephew was born last August, I can’t help but stop in my shopping tracks whenever I see anything baby-affiliated––including this adorable Line + Cleat life jacket fit for a (tiny) king. Not only is it stylish, it’s U.S. Coast Guard–approved: perfect for our annual Labor Day pool party and all the water-splashing escapades to come.
––Danielle Wallace, editorial assistant
On a day off, there is nothing I love more than a hike with good snacks. Normally I just throw everything in my beat-up backpack, but this classic picnic basket, woven from willow, has me inspired. Though carrying it might limit the length of the walk, I think the wine drawer at the bottom makes up for that, and as for food inspiration? I’m looking to this trio of tea sandwiches—tomato and shrimp butter, cucumber and jalapeño, and egg salad and arugula—from the legendary Council family in Chapel Hill.
—Lindsey Liles, digital reporter
I’ve been a fan of Virginia-based Hubs for several years, having ordered the peanuts for myself and given them as gifts (the quarterly shipment has been a big hit). I haven’t tried the Happy Hour Mix, which includes two types of salted nuts, pretzels, sesame sticks, and seasoned crackers, but Labor Day and the start of football season seems like the perfect time to grab a tin—or four.
—Chris Kraft, head of digital