Seasonal Edit: Analogue Summer
(Analogue Summer is about making space for pre-digital rituals that help us slow down and become more present.)
Rituals like sitting on the porch, writing in a journal, and reading the newspaper evoke a simpler time. Fittingly, I’m writing this on my note pad, a reminder that putting pen to paper helps to stir my creativity. That’s the spirit of an analogue summer. It’s about pre-digital rituals, nostalgic objects, and the joy of being present. This collection is inspired by slower days, sensory experiences, and every day moments that invite us to look up from our screens.
The Psychology Behind It
Our affinity for analogue experiences isn’t simply nostalgia. There’s something about physical objects that engage the senses. The delight of hand-painted ceramic plates, the feel of a cotton Kanthu blanket, and the warmth of the sun. These sensory experiences help us feel more grounded in the present moment, leaving us at the very least less overstimulated, and at best, more at peace. In an era when so much of our time is spent on screens, many people are seeking experiences that feel palpable, visceral, and restorative.
The Collection
Image via ThePlotlineJournal on Etsy
Image via FlashbackInc on Etsy
Hand-painted Rustic Ceramic Plates/Unique Handmade Dishes
Seeing doodles, reminiscent of long summer days on the beach can offer a sense of playfulness and ease to the table. They turn an everyday meal into a reminder to slow down and take in the moment.
Write Your Own Story Journal
We’ve all heard that journaling helps us process our thoughts and gain clarity. But what if it also helps us become the narrator of our own story? Instead of being overstimulated by everything happening around you, this potline journal invites you to create a story you’re excited to live while becoming more connected to your own life.
Midcentury Modern Clock
In the age of digital everything, an analogue clock may begin to feel unnecessary. And perhaps that’s exactly why they’re so appealing. This midcentury design has all the sleek simplicity of modern style, while appealing to our longing to slow down and embrace a more mindful relationship with time.
Image via Indiangarmenthouse on Etsy
Image via AnaArtBoutiquestudio on Etsy
Linen Yellow Kantha Blanket
Bring this yellow linen Kantha blanket to your next garden picnic. Its artistry makes it feel special while the sunny yellow hue, often associated with optimism, can make long summer afternoons feel a little more carefree.
Hand-painted Rustic Ceramic Plates/Unique Handmade Dishes
Seeing doodles, reminiscent of long summer days on the beach can offer a sense of playfulness and ease to the table. They turn an everyday meal into a reminder to slow down and take in the moment.
Image via ZalinahWhite on Etsy
Image via ShopAmberandStone on Etsy
Image via xCEDARx on Etsy
Pillbox Straw Hat
Woven straw has long been associated with warm-weather dressing. Its woven texture brings a sense of groundedness and effortless style to many a summer outfit. The straw pillbox silhouette feels both of the moment and timeless, and reminds us of a time when pieces were created with patience and care.
Organic Earrings
If you want to make a statement and show your playful side, these organic-shaped earrings with imperfect, hand-drawn lines will do it. They say, “I’m here to have a good time,” and capture the movement and light-heartedness that has become synonymous with summer dressing.
Waxed Canvas Market Tote
Long summer days call for an everyday bag that can carry everything you need. This bright, sturdy tote is both classic and practical, with room for your wallet, sunglasses, mints, and latest read. Let your phone manage your digital life while your go-to tote carries the things that help you slow down.
Image via LostIndianTreasures on Etsy
Image via Sheila the Label
Striped Cotton Dress
This bright striped cotton dress is made for long summer strolls. It’s sun-faded colors suggests hours spent in the sun, perhaps napping with a book in hand, engrossed in conversation with a friend, or spending the day at the flea market.
One piece suit
A one-piece swimsuit that does double duty as both a bathing suit and a top makes going from the beach to lunch effortless. Analogue summer is all about living in the moment and engaging with the world around you. This classic blue one-piece helps you do exactly that.
Image via LifelabPrint on Etsy
Hands in Water Portrait
Warm summer days aren’t the same without water, whether it’s long days at the beach, laying poolside, or enjoying a picnic by the lake. This portrait brings to mind those carefree days by the water when there’s nowhere you need to be. It’s about relishing a cool drink, spending time with friends, and, for a few hours, forgetting the stressors of everyday life.
A Closer Look
The one thing these items have in common is they support pre-digital rituals. Whether it’s reading a book outdoors, writing in a journal, or spending the afternoon enjoying a picnic, these moments encourage us to engage more fully with the world around us. It’s a world experienced through touch, sight, sound, and conversation rather than through a screen. That’s part of the appeal of analogue summer. It’s not a rejection of technology, but about making space for experiences that help us feel connected to ourselves, our surroundings, and others.
Try This…
Read a paperback in one sitting
Put your phone away during dinner
Visit a flea market
Write a letter
Buy flowers just because
Pack a picnic
Develop a roll of film
