Summer Ensembles

Many men use warmer weather as an excuse to relax their dress standards. Set yourself above the pack by choosing summer-appropriate clothing that’s comfortable in the heat yet maintains your style. Here are a few options to consider as you create your summer ensemble.

• Summer suit basics: Light-colored fabrics will deflect more of the sun’s heat and light. Lightweight fabrics, including seersucker, high-quality tropical-weight wool, or linen, allow greater air movement than densely woven fabrics. Consider unlined (or partially lined) coats and jackets for summer use. Minimizing the thickness of your coat allows you to keep your cool without losing your style.
• Summer shoes: Lightweight suedes, slip-ons, boat shoes, or even canvas shoes can be great options for elegance during warmer weather. Avoid wearing athletic shoes unless you’re performing athletic exercises.
• Summer socks: Your socks protect your feet from chafing and reduce odors, so don’t skip them. If you prefer the sockless look, choose no-show socks instead. You’ll get the comfort and protection of socks—invisibly.
• Summer shirts: Keep your summer shirts lightweight and breezy. Linen is a perennially good choice for summer wear. Cotton can be summer-shirt appropriate if a loose weave is used, such as in poplin, end-to-end weaves, or madras.
• Overall ensembles: Instead of choosing one fabric for everything, vary the textures between shirt, suit, and tie to ensure your summer ensemble maintains the visual appeal of your attire for cooler weather.