Photography by Brion McCarthy


Ready or not, here it comes: the heat, that is. But as the mild promise of spring abruptly gives way to the ripe, sticky air of Baltimore's summer, you don't have to look far to find the proper accessories. Local retailers stand ready to provide everything you need to amuse, distract, nourish, adorn, and clothe yourself through the long, hot months ahead. Explore the many possibilities of the season—picnics, beach weekends, backyard soirees, strolls in the warm summer night—in style with our special spring/summer edition of "The Goods."


Nothing screams spring like this hot pink Kate Spade bag. Bag: $345 at The Pink Crab, 7701 Bellona Ave., 410-823-8544, thepinkcrab.com. Bouquet (roses, germinis, fritillaria, and tulips): $250 at The Dutch Connection, two locations: Belvedere Square (515 E. Belvedere Ave., 410-467-7882) and Harbor East (509 S. Exeter St., 410-528-7296), thedutchconnection.us.



A well-tailored seersucker suit, accented with a pink silk tie and foulard, has the power to transform even the most ardent devotee of casual Fridays into a gentleman. Polo/Ralph Lauren suit ($1,445), tie ($115), and foulard ($70), all at Samuel Parker Clothier, Lake Falls Village, 6080 Falls Rd., 410-372-0078, samuelparker.com.

Easy, elegant, perfect: Even if maxi dresses weren't this season's hot hemline, this green cotton stunner from Frenzii would still be to die for. $120 at Form, 1115 W. 36th St., 410-889-3116, formtheboutique.com.



Bright blue earrings from Double Happiness dress up an evening gown or jeans and a T-shirt with equal aplomb. $121 at Shine Collective, 1007 A W. 36th St., 410-366-6100, shopshinecollective.com.





It's juicy. It's sweet. And it's purple. Patent leather Badgely Mischka bag, $485 at Handbags in the City, two locations: Harbor East (840 Aliceanna St., 410-528-1443) and Mount Washington (5614 Newbury St., 410-601-0096), handbagsinthecity.com.

That deconstructed heel, that rich turquoise, that leg-flattering shape. It's enough to drive any serious shoe diva to distraction. "Bella" by Irregular Choice, $144.99 at Ma Petite Shoe, 832 W. 36th St., 410-235-3442, mapetiteshoe.com.



These 1914 French mother-of-pearl opera glasses are ideal for people watching, and they're so very Edith Wharton. $325 at Antique Row Stalls, 809 N. Howard St., 410-728-6363, antiquerowstalls.com. The Baltimore Symphony store carries new opera glasses in black, white, or red for $44.95 a pair. Call 410-783-8160 for hours.


This lipstick is infused with champagne for extra kissability. Use the jeweled compacts to make sure you paint inside the lines. Compacts, $5 each; Drop Dead Red by Too Faced, $18, both at Kiss N' Make-up, 827 W. 36th St., 410-467-KISS, kissnmakeup.netfirms.com.


The sailboat motif says it much better than a Hawaiian shirt ever could, and the silk and linen fabric keeps you cool. Polo/Ralph Lauren shirt, $125, Samuel Parker Clothier.


Seersucker—the breathable, classic, quintessentially summer fabric—works wonders on a teeny bikini. Pink and green Lilly Pulitzer bikini, $148 at The Pink Crab.


This sumptuous silk sarong from Gujarat, India, does triple duty as a beach cover-up, shawl, or head wrap. $92 at Spirit India Boutique, 3549 Chestnut Ave., 410-261-5563, spiritindiaboutique.com.








These portable water bowls attach to your dog's leash, and they're recyclable to boot. $12 at Pretentious Pooch, 1017 Cathedral St., 443-524-7777, pretentiouspooch.com.


You could carry something other than wine and cheese in this snazzy picnic basket, but why? Bahamas Wine and Cheese Cooler, $48; Yellow + Blue Torrontes Cafayate, $12, and 2007 Petalos Bierzo, $26, at Mt. Washington Wine Company, 1340-E Smith Ave., 410-435-7410, mtwashingtonwine.com.


Lug your towels in something a little unexpected this year. This adorable bag from Dumpling Dynasty will take you from beach to brunch all season long. $24 at Milagro, 1005 W. 36th St., 410-235-3800.



Embossed glass tea-light stars—available in amber, clear, purple, red, and blue—add an ethereal touch to any yard after sundown. $21 each at Spirit India Boutique.


Does a hot dog cooked on a baseball-shaped grill taste more like summer? Portable baseball grill, $56.50 at Stebbins Anderson, The Shops at Kenilworth, 802 Kenilworth Dr., 410-823-6600, stebbinsanderson.com.


Leave the shorts-and-T-shirt ensemble in the drawer and don this chic striped maxi dress from Jenny Han. Pair it with a chunky necklace like this one from local artist Christy Zuccarini, who uses repurposed vintage parts in her jewelry creations. Dress $202, necklace $79, both at Shine Collective.



Any adult or child who doesn't enjoy a good game of Rubber Horse Shoes or Pin the Tail on the Donkey has clearly lost the lust for life. $14.95 and $10.95 respectively, at Hometown Girl, 1001 W. 36th St., 410-662-4438, celebratebaltimore.com.


If all dads were cool enough to man the grill in these plaid slip-ons, there would be a massive reduction in the global population of humiliated teenage girls. These eco-friendly Simple Shoes are made of organic and recycled materials. $59.99 at Ma Petite Shoe.

The handmade bells from India are thought to offer protection from evil. Perhaps they will keep unwanted guests at bay. $27 at Spirit India Boutique.


Replace the regular plastic cooler with this industrial-chic cast-iron pot—then convert it into a garden planter. $195 at Second Chance, 1645 Warner St., 410-385-1101, secondchanceinc.org. Locally brewed Clipper City's Hang Ten ($7.99 for a four-pack) and Oxford Organic Raspberry Wheat ($8.99 for a six-pack) and Wild Goose Brewery's IPA ($8.49 for a six-pack) at Wine Underground, 4400 Evans Chapel Rd., 410-467-1615, wineunderground.us.


This vintage-inspired metal chair offers a comfortable perch from which to enjoy a classic cocktail. Also available in silver/natural metal finish. $145 at Red Tree, 921 W. 36th St., 410-366-3456, redtreebaltimore.com.