Summer Is Served
Backyard season is in full swing. Get in the game with our guide to classic warm-weather fun and sizzling new style.
From left: On Kate, strapless cotton Hawaii Kai dress ($46) and acrylic Avery cardigan ($48) by ROXY; Carolyn espadrilles ($60) by J.CREW. On Rob, pima-cotton Wisden knit polo ($75) by VICTORINOX; Rigger jeans ($98) by LUCKY BRAND JEANS; suede high-top Crepe Chukka shoes ($90) by VANS. On Kareem, cotton-and-nylon Kenwood button-down shirt ($90) by VICTORINOX; hemp Dalton pants ($125) by NAPAPIJRI; leather Classic Extra shoes ($90) by HELLY HANSEN. On Matt, cashmere hooded sweater ($398) from POLO BY RALPH LAUREN; cotton Vintage Madras pants ($78) by J.CREW; EVA-cushioned Mush flip-flops ($22) by TEVA; Critical Mass watch ($250) by REACTOR.
Badminton
On Kate, cotton Kathryn sweater ($300) by ROSASEN; Canvas Awning striped shorts ($187) by PERMANENT VACATION; nylon Excursion web belt ($23) by WOOLRICH; canvas Classic Slip-On shoes ($37) by VANS; Medium Aviator sunglasses ($150) by SERENGETI. On Rob, cotton polo shirt ($32) by LEVI'S; cotton Cargo Shorts ($36) by WOOLRICH; Prison Issue #23 LX shoes with Velcro straps ($60) by VANS.
Disc Golf & Volleyball
summer style
On Matt, cotton T-shirt ($50) and Kailua nylon swim trunks ($55) from POLO BY RALPH LAUREN; Spun Poly flip-flops ($40) by TEVA. (Carlos Serrao)
summer style
Playtime!
Upgrade your lawn Olympics with one of these backyard standouts
Croquet
While there is such a thing as extreme croquet (go ahead, Google it), we found that the Oakley Woods Extreme Croquet set's mallets—with solid-ash shafts and polyethylene heads—work just as well when played leisurely, with a gin-and-tonic in hand. 6-Player Set, $329; www.oakleywoods.com
Bocce
This Italian favorite is really just horseshoes with balls. You can play on almost any surface—dirt, packed gravel, even grass—and, unlike when you're pitching steel, you needn't worry about an errant bounce kneecapping your buddy. Eddie Bauer Performance Bocce Set, $90; www.target.com
Badminton + Volleyball
Your shuttlecock-swatting, bump-set-spiking friends will dig the fact that Coleman's net adjusts to three official heights. Bonus: It's sturdy enough to hold up against an overzealous uncle. Coleman Deluxe Volleyball/Badminton Net Set, $139; www.amazon.com
Disc Golf
Nothing kills a summer buzz like trying to herd all your friends to an official disc-golf course. Instead, lure them to your lawn with Mach Lite's collapsible target. It's the disc equivalent of a putting green. Mach Lite Portable Target, $150 (plus $30 for three discs); www.everythingdiscgolf.com
Shuffleboard
It's like curling, only warmer. Frontgate's go-anywhere set comes with a 27-foot vinyl rollout court, discs, cues, and friction-reducing court spray. All you need is an open mind—and a 40-foot-long flat surface. Frontgate Portable Shuffleboard Set, $595; www.frontgate.com
—Sam Moulton
From left: On Kate, cotton-poplin Buzz Off Butterfly insect-repellent bandanna ($12) by EX OFFICIO; cotton L/S Striped Tee ($30) by LEVI'S; cotton-and-spandex denim Ruler shorts ($110) by LEVI'S CAPITAL E. On Matt, organic-cotton-and-spandex Stretch Logo hat ($22) and nylon Wavefarer boardshorts ($45) by PATAGONIA.
Bocce
summer style
Photograph by Carlos Serrao
From left: On Kareem, cotton Classic polo shirt ($65) from POLO BY RALPH LAUREN; cotton-poplin Bahama Survivor shorts ($55) by TOMMY BAHAMA RELAX; leather Hull 2-Eye Boat shoes ($120) by TIMBERLAND. On Kate, nylon-and-Lycra Pacific Moon bikini ($78) by RAISINS. On Rob, cotton slim-fit Shadow Plaid shirt ($46) by PRANA; cotton-twill North Beach shorts with cell-phone pocket ($50) by QUIKSILVEREDITION; leather Sultan flip-flops ($40) by REEF.
Where to Buy
» Permanent Vacation available at Fred Segal Trend (310-458-6365)