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What are you going to wear? Sometimes there’s an easy answer. Sometimes not. Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. All designed to get you in some stuff that’ll make you look and feel great, then get you out the door and off to do things other than thinking about your clothes. Look for these with no regularity. Want to suggest a scenario? Send those in here.
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The Blazer: J. Crew Corded Cotton – $120 | INC Linen Blend – $63.99 w/code SUMMER
Unless you’re living somewhere with awful doesn’t-let-up-even-at-night humidity (in which case, you probably have a good arsenal of linen/cotton suits, shirts, pants, etc…), wearing a cotton jacket in summer isn’t that big of a deal. But keep the jacket itself light in color and weight. Both of these will do just fine.
(And there’s always the Banana Republic Tailored Micro Stripe too.)
The Shirt(s): L.L. Bean Signature Gingham – $39.99 or J. Crew Windowpane – $59.50
For those that hardly ever wear red, summer is the time to dust it off and give that color a spin. The L.L. Bean Gingham shirt just went on sale and has a nice balance between brightness and check size. If you really can’t bring yourself to wear red, hedge with something like the more white than blue J. Crew windowpane.
The Pocket Square: Merona Navy Blue Handkerchief (part of 3-pack) – $5.00
They say you’re supposed to have your pocket square play well in tone (but not exactly) with either your shirt or tie. You always see lighter pocket squares. In this case, a deep navy brings the pop of contrast to the lighter jacket, and even if you’re going with the red check, the square will play off your jeans. Speaking of…
The Pants: Your Favorite Denim – Levi’s 501 $36.00 w/ code 10PCTSUM
Dark denim with a light colored jacket works awfully well when the summer temps cool once the sun goes down. Stow the white pants until the sun comes back up.
The Shoes: Calvin Klein Carter Textured Laceup – $63.50 – $130.00
Keep an eye out for these on HauteLook, Gilt, Etc… They just started trickling through to a few of the flash sale sites. Looks like the textured leather upper is scaring a few people off, but along with the contrast sole, that’s precisely what makes these shoes perfect for summer drinks. Just odd and relaxed enough, but still has a dress shoe shape.
The Watch: Tissot T-Classic Desire – $169.75
(reg. $200)
A bright white dial, roman numerals, razor sharp hands, and the fact it’s fulfilled by Amazon all make this thing a winner. Are roman numerals dressy? Sure. But slightly unexpected dressed up additions are what make a not schulby yet still casual outfit.
More Style Scenarios here, and suggestions for potential Style Scenarios can be sent in right over here…
Top Photo Credit
I will never forgive you for that moire.
Am I the only one bothered that the folks at Tissot seem to have no idea what the Roman Numeral for 4 is?
Hmm. The linen blend blazer reminds me – I think I need to get a linen suit
That’s hilarious. I didn’t even notice until you pointed it out. How could that have gotten through all their designers et al.?!
I saw that a while back while shopping for watches. Very double-take WTF sorta thing.
IIII is traditionally used on clocks and watches. Why…? Lots of theories, no one really knows.
Most traditional watch and clock makers use the IIII for 4 because either the IIII balanced well with the VII or the classical Roman dials used IIII more frequently than IV.
See http://www.ubr.com/clocks/frequently-asked-questions-faq/faq-roman-iiii-vs-iv-on-clock-dials.aspx
Great choices, Joe. Probably a bit stuffy for folks in some climates, but perfect summer wear for day AND evening here where it’s still struggling to get into the 60s and “real” summer won’t start until July 4.
I’m not too sure about bright white watch dials with plain black markings and hands, though. I feel like it almost looks a bit cheap, like something you got at Wal-Mart in middle school. Does anyone else get that feeling? Make it silver tone-on-tone, though, and I’d be sold.
http://www.amazon.com/Tissot-T0494101603701-Silver-Black-Strap/dp/B004RNFB0U/ref=pd_sbs_watch_4
Maybe something along those lines.
A nice watch for sure, but I gotta disagree on the white dial = cheap feeling. To me, a white dial screams old money. More traditional. But suggestions are as always, all they are
I don’t think it’s the white dial that bugs me, per se, so much as the white dial and plain black markings together. Toss in a Mickey Mouse graphic and I’m pretty sure it’d be almost identical to a watch I wore in preschool 😉 Yeah, I was stylish even as a kid.
Ha!
Adult: “Boy, I see you’re wearing a watch. Would you tell me what time it is?”
3-year-old, looks at his Roman Numeral equipped Tissot: “I would, but I only know the alphabet up to ‘H’ “
The Carters are back to $139 on Endless. Bummer…
Nice suggesstions, Joe. I’m not a big fan of the textured shoes, but perhaps I’ll come around in time. For summer-time drinks, I might reach for a pair of understated sneakers, especially in the desert heat I live in.
Looking forward to the next scenario!
‘Boy’?! Who are you, Ebenezer Scrooge at the end of A Christmas Carol?