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Welcome to Ape to Gentleman’s Top 10 of the Month feature, where we curate the standout trends, insights and recommendations to help you live well and stay ahead of the curve.
In this instalment, we’ve handpicked 10 essential talking points spanning everything from the latest menswear drops and grooming essentials to exciting technology, spirits and entertainment releases. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your wardrobe, discover something new or simply stay on top of the month’s best launches, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s explore how to make August your most stylish, successful and satisfying month yet.
Oakley Radar EV Path
There’s something about Oakley that makes it feel completely timeless. Beyond the relentless innovation, deep-rooted sporting heritage and a catalogue of genuinely iconic designs (yes, including those brilliantly over-the-top wraparound frames), the brand has always had an uncanny knack for making futuristic eyewear feel enduring rather than trend-led. Unsurprisingly, the Radar is back in a big way.
Beloved by a new generation of runners, cyclists and anyone who values lightweight comfort and uncompromising performance, the Radar EV Path updates one of Oakley’s defining silhouettes with an extended field of vision in the upper lens.
The lightweight O Matter frame, grippy Unobtainium® earsocks and nosepads, and High Definition Optics® shield lens technology combine to create sunglasses that are as practical as they are distinctive. Prescription and replacement lens options only add to their long-term appeal.
The Dog StarsAt the grand old age of 88, Ridley Scott is back with yet another blockbuster. Remarkably, The Dog Stars marks the fifth major release in a prolific five-year run that also includes The Last Duel (2021), House of Gucci (2021), Napoleon (2023) and Gladiator II (2025). Few directors are still operating at this scale, or with this level of ambition, at this stage in their careers.
Adapted from Peter Heller’s acclaimed 2012 novel, The Dog Stars unfolds in a post-apocalyptic America where a devastating flu pandemic has wiped out most of the population. Jacob Elordi stars as civilian pilot Hig, who forms an unlikely partnership with former marine Bangley, played by Josh Brolin, as they navigate a brutal, lawless landscape in search of hope and human connection.
Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce round out a cast that should make this one of the cinematic events of the summer.
Citadelle Bajan Gin
As summer begins its gentle wind-down, we’re determined to squeeze every last drop out of long evenings in the garden and weekends spent hosting friends outdoors. Citadelle Bajan Gin is our bottle of choice for exactly those occasions.
Part of the French distillery’s adventurous Excentrique range, this limited-edition expression is produced entirely in Barbados at Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery, drawing on the island’s rich rum-making heritage and tropical ingredients. Bright, fragrant grapefruit takes centre stage, backed by Citadelle’s trademark juniper-led profile to create a gin that’s refreshing without becoming overly sweet.
Serve it simply with plenty of ice, quality tonic and a generous slice of fresh grapefruit, and you’ll struggle to find a better crowd-pleaser this side of autumn.
Mont Moondance 1FN One Person Tent
Every now and then we’ll find ourselves browsing the Mont website and daydreaming about disappearing into the wilderness for a few days. It’s the opposite of doomscrolling. The independent Australian brand specialises in serious adventure equipment rather than lifestyle outdoor gear, and every product feels designed by people who genuinely spend time using it.
The Moondance 1FN is a perfect example. This lightweight, fully waterproof, seam-sealed nylon tent is built for three- to four-season adventures and offers around 25 per cent more floor space than many comparable one-person tents.
There’s a generous vestibule for keeping packs and muddy boots out of the sleeping area, while the compact packed size makes it equally at home strapped to a hiking pack or bikepacking setup.
Buy it once and you’ll probably never need another solo tent.
The Wild Meat Company
It’s an interesting time to be eating meat. Health advice increasingly encourages us to eat less of it, while the origins of supermarket produce can often feel frustratingly opaque. As with any food, knowing where it comes from matters, which is why supporting trusted local butchers, fishmongers and independent producers is always worthwhile.
If you don’t have access to those locally, online specialists such as The Wild Meat Company are an excellent alternative. The range spans sustainably sourced game and carefully selected free-range produce, with wild venison standing out as one of the healthiest options available.
Naturally lean, rich in protein and packed with vitamins and minerals, it’s a fantastic choice for late-summer barbecues or hearty outdoor cooking, all while supporting responsible countryside management.
See more at The Wild Meat Company
Raveheart by Graeme Armstrong
We first discovered Graeme Armstrong through The Young Team, after spotting a glowing endorsement from Gabriel Krauze, whose own novel Who They Was remains one of the most compelling explorations of modern masculinity we’ve read in years. Armstrong’s debut proved equally powerful, delivering an authentic portrait of working-class youth, identity and violence through a distinctly Scottish lens.
His second novel, Raveheart, shifts the focus towards music and resistance. Set in a dystopian Britain where a newly elected political party has outlawed electronic music, it follows a group of rave rebels as they launch a campaign of civil disobedience against an increasingly authoritarian state.
At the heart of it all is local ice-rink resident and DJ, Turbo, whose unlikely journey promises the same energy, humour and emotional depth that made Armstrong’s debut such a standout.
Everdure Cube Barbecue
Think about all the disposable barbecues you’ve bought over the years. Lukewarm sausages, burgers charred on the outside but raw in the middle, and a pile of waste left behind once the coals have cooled. If only the Everdure Cube had been around sooner.
Compact, intelligently designed and built from quality materials, this portable charcoal barbecue is ideal for everything from beach days and camping trips to spontaneous lunches in the park or evenings in the garden. It comfortably cooks for two, features a bamboo preparation board that doubles as a lid, and includes an internal compartment for storing charcoal, utensils and food while travelling.
Proof that portable doesn’t have to mean disposable.
Velasca Spring Summer ’26
We’re perpetual admirers of Velasca’s effortless Italian approach to dressing, and August feels like the perfect moment to make the most of the brand’s Spring Summer ’26 collection before thoughts inevitably turn towards autumn. It’s a masterclass in understated sprezzatura, combining earthy tones, tactile fabrics and confident use of block stripes.
The Sinio wool and linen single-breasted jacket paired with the matching pleated trousers is an easy lesson in modern tailoring, especially when worn with the rust-red linen Ansedonia shirt.
Elsewhere, the striped Nalles linen and cotton T-shirts are ideal layered beneath one of the collection’s lightweight cardigans, while a pair of Rondin suede boat shoes finishes everything off with relaxed Italian confidence.
Ultra Violette Clean Screen Skinscreen SPF30
You’ve got the cleanser, you’ve invested in a decent moisturiser and perhaps even added a serum or two to your routine. The next step is also the most important: wearing sunscreen every single day.
Ultra Violette’s Clean Screen Skinscreen SPF30 is an excellent place to start, particularly if you’ve previously avoided SPF because of greasy textures or heavy finishes. This lightweight mineral sunscreen is formulated with sensitive skin in mind, using plant-derived Pentavitin to deliver lasting hydration while providing broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Comfortable enough to wear every day and virtually invisible once applied, it’s one of those grooming products you’ll quickly wonder how you ever lived without.
Xero Z-Trek Sandal
With airlines charging ever more inventive fees for anything larger than a toothbrush, versatile footwear has become one of the smartest packing decisions you can make. Most trips now involve travelling, sightseeing and heading out for dinner in the same pair of shoes, making a lightweight backup invaluable.
The Xero Z-Trek is exactly that. Minimalist, surprisingly comfortable and incredibly packable, it folds almost flat into a suitcase or rucksack while still offering excellent grip, support and durability across everything from city streets to coastal paths.
Whether you need something to throw on after a day in hiking boots or simply want to travel lighter, it’s one of the most practical additions you can make to your holiday kit.