We're not so fancy as to say that a blanket is a requirement for a great picnic (read our tips here). Some of the best picnics take place on a sweatshirt or a paper bag. But since summer has only just begun, take a look at our picnic picks and see if there isn't a blanket you'd like to keep tucked in the trunk of your car for those spontaneous (always the best!) summer picnics. *check out The Best Picnic Blankets for 2015 here!
The Camco picnic blanket is a deal at $14. It's a cozy 4 x 5, which means that you don't have a ton of space for a giant cheese & cracker spread. However, if you're planning on picnicking with your sweetheart, it's an excuse to sit closely. Select it in the traditional red and white color you see here, or get it in a more masculine black and yellow. Order Here on Amazon.
Target offers a very practical picnic blanket that rolls up into what looks like a purse (though it's not super feminine looking in any way). It's a spacious 72" x 60" with a solid color on the flip side, and is also available in red. We like that it's machine washable and light weight enough to hike up a mountain with. The only thing on your person that's heavy should be the chilled Chardonay bottles. Order here for $19.99 from Target.
Williams-Sonoma's Rustic Picnic Blanket will look just as good on the grass as over the back of your couch. The red, white, and blue color palette is perfect for Memorial Day, July 4th, Labour Day, and every afternoon in between. It's made from yarn-dyed cotton so that the colors hold up after multiple washes, and it spreads out to a comfortable 39 x 59. Buy it here for $49.00 from Williams-Sonoma.
Leave it to Kate Spade to bring us a picnic blanket with some style and a little humor. Her "You Are Here" blanket is made from tyvec, a synthetic material that is highly durable and waterproof. It can be folded into a very compact little square and if you're into this kind of thing, can be considered a designer blanket without the designer price tag. We're especially drawn to the wording, as these days we could all use a reminder to live in the moment with the person we're sharing the picnic blanket with. Order here for $28.00 from Kate Spade.
We choose this JJ Cole Collections blanket for its simplicity, classic design, and multi-season use. It's perfect for a beach or park picnic, but will come in handy for outdoor dining in the fall too. The fabric is water-resistant and folds neatly into a bag with a detachable strap. Buy here for $34.95 from JJ Cole.
And now, for the super-swanky blanket seekers, we give you the Greg Chiat designed blanket, otherwise known as The Elder Statesman® for J. Crew Cashmere Beach Blanket. Fancy! It qualifies as a luxury item with its $1,498.00 price tag, but if you care for it well (hand washing) and plan to use it for the rest of your life, it will pay for itself. This could be a good purchase for you men planning a picnic that involves a certain kind of sparkly ring. Order online here from J. Crew.