Ape’s Top 10 Of The Month: May 2026
Welcome to Ape to Gentleman’s Top 10 of the Month feature, where we curate the trends, insights and smart recommendations designed 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 fashion drops worth adding to your wardrobe, to new technology, travel, grooming and standout cultural releases shaping the month ahead. Whether you’re planning a seasonal refresh, fine-tuning your routine or simply want to know what’s genuinely worth your time and attention right now, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s explore how to make May your most stylish, successful and satisfying month yet.
Normal
Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk returns to action mode this month, following the success of Nobody, with the similarly high-octane Normal. Odenkirk plays Ulysses, a newly appointed small-town sheriff who, after responding to a bank robbery, quickly realises local law enforcement may not be as trustworthy as it seems.
With shades of Fargo in its Minnesota setting and Ben Wheatley (of Free Fire and Kill List fame) directing, the film leans into that offbeat, darkly comic tone. Add a supporting cast including Henry Winkler and Lena Headey, and it looks set to deliver a punchy, character-led slice of John Wick-adjacent entertainment – with Odenkirk once again proving he’s more than capable of leading from the front.
Blacksand Hotel, Iceland
As far as hotel views go, you’d be hard pushed to beat the newly opened Blacksand Hotel in Iceland. Located on the country’s rugged south coast, around 40 minutes from Reykjavík, it places you right on the edge of some of the island’s most dramatic natural landscapes.
The hotel leans into a quiet luxury approach, offering 79 thoughtfully designed rooms alongside a restaurant focused on local, seasonal produce. It’s the ideal base for exploring waterfalls, volcanic terrain and, if you’re lucky, catching the Northern Lights. Just as importantly, it’s somewhere you’ll actually want to return to after a long day out in the elements.
Walker Slater
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- Hardie Linen Jacket
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- Fyfe Linen Jacket
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- Edward Harris Tweed Trouser
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- Edward Borders Tweed Trouser
Founded in 1989 in the Scottish Highlands, Walker Slater has spent over three decades championing tweed and woollen fabrics, building a reputation around quality, durability and a distinctly British sense of style. The brand continues to celebrate these materials through both classic and contemporary tailoring.
With the racing season in full swing, it’s a good moment to take note. The Fyfe linen jacket in navy wide herringbone offers a sharp yet relaxed option for summer suiting, whether worn as separates or as part of a full look. Meanwhile, the Hardie jacket in cream linen hopsack leans more towards soft Italian tailoring: lighter, more fluid and ideal for warmer months.
C.O.F Studio
We first came across Per Fredriksson’s Swedish denim label C.O.F Studio (Circle of Friends) last year via Monocle Radio – and it’s the sort of brand that sticks with you. Founded on the idea of European-based production inspired by classic American denim manufacturing, it brings a more local, considered approach to a category often dominated by global supply chains.
The name itself references the close-knit network of specialist makers involved in each garment, from rivets to thread, and that attention to detail shows. The M9 14oz regenerative selvedge jean is a standout – a clean, straight-leg option in a versatile darker rinse – while the Texas Shirt in 7.6oz indigo, finished with a vintage wash, is an easy everyday piece that will develop its own character over time.
The Caribbean Cookbook by Rawlston Williams
Phaidon’s globe-trotting cookbook series continues with a deep dive into Caribbean food and drink. Compiled by Rawlston Williams, a Caribbean chef and former chef-owner of an award-winning Brooklyn restaurant, the book captures the region’s rich culinary diversity with both authority and warmth.
Spanning 380 recipes across 28 countries and island nations, it covers everything from everyday staples to celebratory dishes, alongside marinades, sauces and a particularly tempting drinks section. It’s the kind of book that invites proper exploration. We’re already eyeing up saltfish fritters, ideally paired with something cold and punchy.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 and Px7 S3 Headphones
As if Bowers & Wilkins’ already award-winning Pi8 earbuds and Px7 S3 over-ear headphones weren’t enough, the British audio brand has given both a timely aesthetic refresh. The Pi8 True Wireless earbuds now arrive in Pale Mauve and Dark Burgundy, joining an already strong line-up of finishes including Anthracite Black, Midnight Blue, Dove White and Jade Green.
Meanwhile, the Px7 S3 wireless headphones – known for their balanced sound, strong noise cancellation and premium build – are now available in Vintage Maroon, offering a welcome alternative to the usual sea of matte black. Same performance, but with a little more personality.
Wax London Tailoring SS26
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- Fintry – Navy Linen Single-Breasted Blazer
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- Alp – Mid Blue Linen Trousers
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- Vigo – Natural Linen Double-Breasted Blazer
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- Aubyn – Natural Linen Relaxed Fit Trousers
When we think of Wax London, we think of easy, considered dressing; pieces that feel relaxed without ever slipping into sloppy. True to form, the brand’s SS26 tailoring leans into that same balance, offering a wardrobe that sits comfortably between occasion wear and everyday uniform.
This season’s tailoring is designed for versatility. Updated favourites like the single-breasted Fintry blazer and slim, tapered Alp trousers return, while new additions such as the structured double-breasted Vigo blazer and looser Aubyn trousers bring a sharper edge. Refined yet relaxed, its tailoring is built for modern life rather than just formal moments.
Didriksons Dario Jacket
Transitional weather calls for a jacket that can keep up, and Didriksons’ Dario delivers exactly that. Designed for the kind of spring days that swing from icy winds to unexpected sunshine, it’s a lightweight, functional shell that doesn’t overcomplicate things.
Crafted from Ectolactam — a durable, fully waterproof nylon developed with a lower carbon footprint than traditional alternatives — it balances protection with breathability. A two-way adjustable hood with a moulded peak, water-repellent zips and practical front pockets round things out, making it a dependable layer whether you’re hiking or simply navigating changeable conditions closer to home.
Król I Luxury Organic Vodka
This month’s cocktail cabinet addition comes from Poland, with a premium vodka that leans heavily into provenance. Król I is crafted in Western Poland using locally sourced organic rye, distilled five times at one of the country’s oldest operating distilleries.
The use of mineral-rich water from the same land the rye is grown on gives the spirit a genuine sense of place. Already decorated at The Global Spirits Masters Awards, it offers a smooth, balanced profile with a creamy texture and subtle citrus and herbal notes.
It’ll shine in a Martini, but it’s equally worth sipping over ice to appreciate its character in full.
GilletteLabs BODY + INTIMATE
In 2026, you really shouldn’t be using the same razor for your face and your body. They’re very different areas with very different requirements — and, in some cases, very different levels of risk. That’s where GilletteLabs’ BODY + INTIMATE range comes in, offering a purpose-built solution for below-the-neck grooming.
Designed with comfort and safety in mind, the range centres around a dedicated razor featuring an anti-irritation bar and anti-ingrown design, helping to minimise nicks and bumps in more sensitive areas. Alongside it sits a trio of trimmers built with Gillette’s SkinFirst technology, complete with protective combs to reduce direct blade contact with the skin.
There’s also a 2-in-1 shaving cream and cleanser that simplifies the process while keeping skin in good condition. Thoughtful, practical and long overdue, it’s a clear upgrade for anyone looking to properly refine their grooming routine.
