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8 Stylish Picnic Essentials for the Ultimate Outdoor Meal

Whether on a boat or a leisurely excursion, this age-old pastime is as popular—and fashionable—as ever

By Parker Bowie Larson
Close-up of an open wicker picnic basket with green straps, showing interior compartments and white cups.
Miss Dior Picnic Basket. Photo: Courtesy of Dior

The picture that comes to mind when one thinks of a picnic most likely originates from the European paintings from the 19th century. At that time, the act of eating outside usually accompanied an excursion to a park or lake, with the natural scenery affording an idyllic setting, and the al fresco recreation soon gaining the reputation of being one of leisure and indulgence.

Today, picnics still have this romantic, high-end aura around them, and excursions still go hand-in-hand, especially in the boating world. For a day trip by sea, picnic sets are an easy way to keep all of your dining essentials organized and in one place. Or, for a longer trip by yacht, a favored option is to anchor by a private beach and take the tender for a daytime lunch. Sure, a crew can set up a table and chairs on land, but sometimes it’s more fun to sit in the sand. 

Below, we’ve rounded up some opulent essentials to help create the perfect picnic setup.

Picnic set with wicker basket, plates, glasses, and utensils in an orange pouch on a white background.
Park Soleil d’Hermès Picnic Basket. Photo: Courtesy of Hermès

1. Park Soleil d’Hermès Picnic Basket

Look chic while dining en plein air with this stunning, hand-braided wicker basket with smooth outdoor taurillon leather by Hermès. The dining ensemble includes four Intervalle crystal glasses, eight Soleil d’Hermès dessert plates, four sets of Attelage dessert cutlery and washable bags for the plates and cutlery. 

Champagne with glasses on a picnic blanket, surrounded by a bowl of raspberries, grapes, cheese, crackers, and baguettes.
Pure New Wool Picnic Blanket from Wolf & Badger. Photo: Courtesy of Wolf & Badger

2. Pure New Wool Picnic Blanket from Wolf & Badger

Leave it to Heating & Plumbing London to design a gorgeous, wool blanket with waterproof backing for grass, beach, and weather-proof situations. With its included shoulder straps, it’s the perfect accessory to pack for an outdoor jaunt. 

Decorative woven-pattern plate with a geometric design in red and yellow tones against a gray background.
Patagonia Yellow Plates by Mario Luca Giusti. Photo: Courtesy of Mario Luca Giusti

3. Patagonia Yellow Plates by Mario Luca Giusti

Elevate your outdoor meal with these melamine, cane-patterned plates by Florence-based tableware brand Mario Luca Giusti. 

Silver Christofle egg flatware set with utensils displayed and closed egg in background featuring engraved city skyline design
Mood Skyline New York by Christofle. Photo: Courtesy of Christofle

4. Mood Skyline New York by Christofle

What could be better than taking a spin around the city that never sleeps while using flatware with its skyline etched on the outside. Christofle’s Mood is the perfect silverware set to enjoy a lovely lunch or dinner while on a leisurely cruise or perhaps a fancy picnic in Central Park.

Picnic basket set with rose-patterned plates, green-pink checkered napkins, tablecloth, glasses, and cutlery on yellow background.
La Vie En Rose by Tamu. Photo: Courtesy of Bitossi Home

5. La Vie En Rose by Tamu

Bitossi Home’s new picnic collection made in collaboration with street style fashion photographer and editor, Tamu McPherson, features a nostalgic check in pink and green and the universal symbol of love, the red rose. The kit includes two placemats, two napkins, two coasters, two porcelain plates, two glasses, and two forks all inside of a cute wicker basket. 

Light gray zippered travel bag with handles and a front pocket, featuring a small logo patch in the center.
Take Anywhere Folding Chair by SunnyLife. Photo: Courtesy of SunnyLife

6. Take Anywhere Folding Chair by SunnyLife

If you struggle to stay comfortable while sitting on the ground for long periods of time, SunnyLife has found the solution for you. Their waterproof Take Anywhere folding chairs feature six adjustable reclining settings and are easy to carry making them the must-have item for a successful picnic or beach day. 

Rustic kitchen with woven baskets on a wooden table, decorative plates, and vintage pots on a stone mantelpiece.
Molitor Wicker Baskets by Atelier Vime. Photo: Courtesy of Atelier Vime

7. Molitor Wicker Baskets by Atelier Vime

Made in one of the most famous wicker weaving Provence towns, these baskets by Atelier Vime are a testament to the artistry of the historic craft. Available with handles or dividers for wine bottles, you can choose what is best for your picnicking needs from this incredible French workshop.

Open picnic basket with green patterned lining, plates, cutlery, and woven compartments showcasing organized picnic essentials.
Miss Dior Picnic Basket for Four People. Photo: Courtesy of Dior

8. Miss Dior Picnic Basket for Four People

The picnic basket of all picnic baskets is perhaps Dior Maison’s latest introduction in the category. While the wicker basket and wool and cashmere blanket are made in Italy, the rest of its offerings which feature the fashion house’s iconic Cannage motif are made in France.