This ’90s-Inspired Gem Is an Essential for Staying Cool This Summer

Throughout the years, I’ve collected plenty of useful hosting must-haves. I do, however, have one rule for myself when buying these items: I have to use it in some other capacity besides hosting at home. In my previous apartment, my husband and I bought two large rolling coolers for drinks when hosting parties, but we only used one once when going to the beach because they were so big (rolling both down four flights of stairs and into our car was also a huge pain). 

After moving into our current apartment with just a small balcony, we decided to give up our bulky coolers in favor of one cute, retro, and functional cooler that we use nearly every weekend as soon as the warm weather hits: Igloo’s Retro Picnic Basket Cooler. 

My husband first noticed the Igloo Retro Picnic Basket 25-Quart Cooler in an Instagram ad a little over a year ago. Although I normally don’t encourage him to give in to every ad (no matter how well-targeted they are), we were in the market for a cooler — plus, the design and colors were too fun to pass up. I got the Tea Rose colorway, which is no longer available, but there are still five cool colors for every retro taste (Flamingo is my personal favorite, while the Jade screams ’90s aesthetic). 

This retro-inspired cooler is so compact, but it can fit about 36 cans (I like to pack my coolers with ice so my capacity taps out at around 15 cans depending on their size). It features a waffle-top lid design that’s so sturdy that it can double as a seat, and the picnic basket-style side handles make it comfortable to carry with one hand. If it’s not packed to the brim, it never feels too heavy or bulky.

We’ve had this cooler for more than a year now, and we enjoy using it all summer long. I love how compact it is while also being able to fit so much inside. 

My husband and I have used this cooler not just for hosting small gatherings at our apartment, but also for picnic and beach days, Hollywood Bowl concerts, and even afternoons lounging on our balcony (our favorite Sunday afternoon activity when we’re too lazy to grab drinks from the fridge inside). We mostly like using it for cans of beer, carbonated drinks, and small snacks such as grapes, berries, and string cheese, but I’ve also used it for transporting larger wine and tea bottles to a friend’s house. 

While having two larger coolers was handy for hosting, I have found other ways to keep drinks cold when I’m having friends over without taking up so much storage space in my apartment. Plus, the retro cooler adds visual interest and a pop of color to our kitchen when it’s not in use. Whether you’re using it indoors or outdoors, this cooler is the ultimate way to have a gnarly, ’90s-inspired summer. 

Buy: Igloo Retro Picnic Basket Cooler, $39.99