The Shiny Shiny Guide to posh picnics – from gadgets to hampers

Or dining Al Fresco as the papers refer to it these days, like we’re all in some Manet painting. Comparing today’s outdoor dining experiences is a whole world away from those jam sarnies with curled-up corners washed down with a warm bottle of pre-diluted orange squash from yesteryear (- I recall there being a distinct lack of lashings of ginger beer).

Now there’s a whole host of must-have picnic equipment that you didn’t realise existed, until you look around and notice infinitely posher picnics being devoured. Outdoor concerts can bring out the worst with this kind of one-up-personship: When candelabra’s and Irish lace linen are laid out sur l’herbe, you know your yellowing tupperware maybe best kept inside that picnic basket.

There’s no need to go spending your summer holiday budget on rustling up a tasty hamper, as picnic accoutrements don’t have to cost the earth. Here’s a selection of good looking ware that we’d like to pack up with us on our next sunny day out…