Mini being a lifestyly kind of car maker, they have a wide range of fashion items. We have a sneaking suspicion they make more money selling accessories than they do selling cars! Anyway, Here’s their new lifestyle collection for summer.

Now, we generally don’t like car-branded merchandise even the Ferrari ones. But we have to say some of Mini’s ideas are actually quite useful! The new collection includes apparel, accessories and outdoor stuff.

Items you’ll find in the catalog include MINI Countryman Seats, MINI Cooler, MINI Pop Style Umbrella, Shades, Men’s Rocker Polo,  Men’s Rocker T-Shirt, Ladies Guitar Shirt. Since we are not exactly fashion and style gurus, we let you find more details in Mini’s official press release:

The comfortable MINI Countryman Seats represent a veritable invitation to sit back and relax. The folding wooden chairs, with their durable canvas surface in easy Racing Check or stylised Union Jack look, are sure to attract envious eyes. Both motifs come in a subtle dark grey. Roomy outside pockets can be attached to the sides of the seats using press studs, and make a handy stowage area for barbeque tools etc. The folding chairs can also be converted into a table with the help of an additional wooden board. A carry bag provides a neat way to whisk the Countryman Seats from one sunny spot to the next. They can be ordered both individually or as a set of two chairs and a table top.

Refreshment is the order of the day for the MINI Cooler. This stylish drinks cooler has room for up to four large bottles (1 – 1.5 litres), and its Black Union Jack design makes it the perfect complement to the MINI Countryman folding chairs. The bag comes with aluminium insulation on its inside and a separate zip pocket on the back. An adjustable shoulder strap allows cool drinks to be ferried to thirsty mouths with a minimum of fuss.

When the going gets hot and sunny, the MINI Pop Style Umbrella gets going with some welcome shade. The colourful brolly in MINI Pop Art look à la Andy Warhol is a real eye-catcher, and also comes in handy when the heat is interrupted by those inevitable summer showers. Its Fibertec® spokes are extremely durable, and a special coating gives it impressive dirt-repelling characteristics. The brolly opens and closes automatically at the touch of a button. A special feature is its handle, which mimics the form of a MINI gear selector.

Sunglasses are one of summer’s essentials, and MINI is celebrating the comeback of the aviator style with its smart Athens shades. The silver-coloured stainless steel glasses impress with their shatter-proof lenses, which provide an excellent combination of robustness and clarity. The MINI logo on the outside of the side pieces and racing checks on the inside give the shades their distinctive look.

The new MINI Shirt line-up will rock any summer outfit. For example, the Men’s Rocker Polo has exquisite details like a MINI Rocks badge on the right upper arm, a MINI Rocks print under the collar and white bonnet stripes on the side seams. Music fans will find their heads turned by the grey Men’s Rocker T-Shirt, with its electric guitar print on the chest and blue contrast stitching lending extra emphasis to the shoulder areas. Both styles come in high-quality cotton and are designed to deliver optimum comfort and durability. The pleasantly soft-to-the-touch Ladies Guitar Shirt sports a bold shade of red and has an awesome “MINI Rocks” print with crossed electric guitars on the front. Elsewhere, it’s down to extravagance for the black, sleeveless Ladies Glamour Rock Top, whose distressed Union Jack print on the chest boasts real studs.

When the sun goes down, though, you’ll appreciate having a parka close at hand. Few items of clothing will resist the vagaries of fashion and the weather with such aplomb. Indeed, the parka has enjoyed an unshakable cult status since the 60s. MINI adds a nod of agreement with its 50 Years Unisex Parka, a modern take on the classic M51 Fishtail. The hooded olive-green parka has four large pockets and five interchangeable badges with Velcro-type fasteners for the left sleeve. Meanwhile, the cool Union Jack print on the inside demonstrates a sharp eye for detail.

These summery all-stars can be ordered from www.MINI.com/shop and selected MINI dealers.