Above Photo Credit: Dan Taylor
Summer just isn’t the best season for dressing well. Mainly because it’s too damn hot to wear much. Your fabrics and colors better be light, because if you’re living this side of Yellowknife, a charcoal wool suit will turn you into a puddle of sweat. That doesn’t mean there’s still not plenty of opportunities to look and feel great. These are a few of the best, not too expensive options that’ll help you survive the heat in style…
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The Versatile Loafer: Sebago Classic Penny in Dark Brown – $90.00 (reg. $135)
The dark brown, light brown, and sand color options are all built from mind-blowing soft leather. Extremely well constructed too. Sebago welt, leather sole, beef roll stitching, and made in the Dominican Republic. More versatile than a boat shoe and just as comfortable if not more so.
The Lightweight Patterned Blazer: J. Crew – $149 | Banana Republic – $150
Too bad they all can’t be as inexpensive as the pretty much extinct INC ultra light. You want something that’s cotton, linen, or a blend of the two. It should work with lighter chinos during the day, and jeans when the sun goes down. Both of these have extremely fine stripes so they look solid from a distance. A full review of the Banana Republic option to come post-tailoring. Since it’s B.R. it’ll be on sale quite a bit.
The Album: Black Keys “Brothers” – $9.00
The fact that it took over a year to get Brothers on this website is a bit of a crime. Here’s to hoping your pool party looks something like this.
The not quite white jean/chino hybrid: B.R. 5-Pocket pant – $69.50 (but goes on sale plenty)
Not nearly as heavy as denim but with more texture than a standard cotton chino. Will work with everything from t-shirts to sport coats. For those who want lighter colored non-khaki pants, but don’t like white jeans.
Non Staining Sunscreen: Banana Boat Titanium Dioxide Sunscreen – $7.99 for three
Yes it’s kids sunscreen. But what’s more important is what it says on the back of the bottle. The sun ray blocking ingredient is good ol’ Titanium Dioxide. Unlike the widespread sunscreen chemical Avobenzone (which goes by many names) Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide doesn’t turn to rust when washed in hard water. And that means you have no excuse not to wear it. Skin cancer isn’t anything to screw around with. If you’re fair skinned and pale, embrace it.
The Stand Out Polo: L.E.C. Jersey Stripe – $24.50 | Slub Contrast Placket – $39.50
Sure a well fitting solid polo is a can’t miss. But having one or two that are just slightly different is a good way to break up the monotony. Both are jersey (not pique) cotton, and both are from Lands’ End Canvas. Which is odd considering one is almost twice the price of the other.
The Rubber Strap Watch: Victorinox – $274.90
($550) | Seiko – $155.15
Striped watch bands are fun but a slick watch rubber strap watch is just as casual and can go from yard work to blazer + drinks on a restaurant patio in a snap. Bright dials like these might be a bit tougher to wear, but they deliver the summer color punch easily. Seiko Photo Credit
The Uber-Relaxed Summer Suit: L.L. Bean Sig. New Twill – $129.98 ($194)
Our summer suit search is still ongoing, but it’s worth pointing out that a light cotton/linen summer suit won’t do you any good if it doesn’t move well. A lot of the inexpensive options can feel stiff. You want one you could feel great in while flopping down on a couch, or climbing into a hammock. The L.L. Bean Signature New Twill is precisely one of those, and the jacket and pants just got a hefty discount. Full review here.
The Meal: Gruyere Turkey Burgers (Originally from Everyday Food
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Take a break from the beef. These use the buttery, nutty white cheese Gruyere in the mix to bring the fat (and frankly, a lot more flavor). Really let them sear up for a minute or two at the beginning then move to a not as red hot part of the grill. Make em’ for your significant other. They should be impressed.
The Vacation Duffel: Duluth Pack Large Duffle – $265.00
Made in the USA and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Available in eight different colors including this vintage luggage looking khaki. Will at least triple the attractiveness of your car’s trunk.
The Sunglasses: Polo Ralph Lauren Cut Out Bridge Sunglasses – $112.00 ($140)
Just a bit sleeker than the still honestly preferred $75-$100 Ray Ban New Wayfarer
Glad to see the Black Keys being featured. They’re fantastic.
This is very location dependent but it’s too hot for blazers here in Columbus, OH. It’s just barely hit the 90’s and pretty much dress shirt or t-shirt at best and shirtless for the rest (one of the perks of college is getting away without a shirt on :] ). And as a note, I own the j crew blazer and there’s a full polyester lining and it’s difficult wearing even in 80’s and high 70’s weather (at least for me). Joe, how is the lining on the Bean summer suit? And T Rex video was totally unexpected!
Word. We’re up in the 90s as well, and unless a cool, breezy night rolls in, the sport coats are relegated to the closet for now.
1.) Great pick on the Sebago pennys. Pennys can definitely look a little “old guy”-ish, but if you keep your entire style age-appropriate, they are a slightly classier replacement for boat shoes.
2.) Great, great find on the burgers. My wife has started slipping in some soy products here and there, but we’ve yet to find a good replacement for burgers. Will give these a try.
It would have been nice to see a little more color at that pool party, but that’s still a lucky dinosaur puppet.
Sebago loafers are nice, but be warned they run really small. I’m somewhere between an 8 or 9 normally, but my 10 1/2 sebago pennies are a smidge tight.
The Bean’s lining is barely there and breezy: http://dappered.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/LL-Bean-Signature-Details.jpg Love that thing.
dave; you and your wife should try to check out “fathead,” available on netflix…great stuff. viva meat!
I’ve had that Seiko for years and it’s my favorite watch. You definitely know you’re wearing as it’s got a good bit of weight on the wrist. Great finds, Joe.
We’ll check it out. Super Size Me was good, if not a bit “out there” in that it wasn’t representative of most people’s daily eating habits.
As an aside, let me throw out there that my wife and I are in no way vegetarians or vegans. I cook a big breakfast for us every Saturday, including eggs, bacon, and sausage, and we eat steak at least once a week. We started using some soy products here and there as part of our efforts to lose some weight, not to make a statement or a lifestyle change. I certainly respect vegetarians and vegans, but it definitely ain’t my bag.
Yeah, lemme know what you think. I’ve been spreading the paleo-style gospel for a while now, as it’s worked well for me. Might not be your schtick, but seeing the political/special interest machinations behind the food pyramid was pretty intriguing, plus the general logic of “eating what our bodies survived on for most of history.”
Regarding #2, try Morningstar Grilller’s Prime. Not Original. Prime.
Beats Boca or Gardenburger any day of the week.
Could not agree more! Good solid rock, distorted guitar (the style reminds me of Jimi Hendrix), not too crazy, but not too laid back either. Perfect for summer grillouts.
If you like “Brothers” check out “Thickfreakness” too. It is a great album, and was mixed, recorded and edited in 1 day to boot.
Also, I love seeing Duluth Pack get some more play on here. I have that bag in the medium size and it is absolutely worth the price.
I have still been able to find the INC blazers at the brick and mortars…with varying success.
Me too. Local one has quite a few. I might be induced to pick up a few if someone wants a size and is willing to make it worth my while.
Old Orchard Macy’s just outside of Chicago had tons of INC blazers last time I was there. The lightweight gingham was available in all sizes but Small
Ah…the Seiko Orange Monster. A classic.
The turkey burger was by far the best thinkg on the list
Thank you for mentioning Duluth Pack! This July 15th will be 100 years in the same factory, you all should come up and get a tour! Thanks again for the props, honored to have you as fans!