Style Scenario: The Summer Evening BBQ

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. This weekend is the unofficial start to summer. It’s also an opportunity for us run-of-the-mill civilians to take a moment and consider how lucky we are to have the dedicated men and women of our armed forces looking out for us. If it wasn’t for them and their families, we wouldn’t get to do silly stuff like… talk about what someone might wear to a BBQ. Thanks a million to them.

The Tee: GAP Essential Pocket Tee – $12.71 w/ GAPSUMMER. Depending on your location, this might be the only layer you’ll need for your torso. Not too thick, not paper thin, and the pocket is sorta like a grown up graphic. Or something. Great for layering or wearing on its own.

The Sweater: J. Crew Factory 55% Linen / 45% Cotton Crew – $35.50 ($59.50). This thing is friggin’ fantastic. Cool linen blend has more texture than cotton. Looks great in person. Wait for a sale (UPDATE: It’s marked down through today, 5/22). If the orange (labeled as red on their site?) is a little too bold for you, try this wool/cotton crew from Club Monaco.

The Sunglasses: Warby Parker Polarized Griffin – $95.  Not Gas-station cheap by any stretch, but they are nicely priced for being polarized. You’ll need some sunglasses for that stretch of time when the sun is low in the sky, the cooler has been opened, but the grill has yet to be lit. Shown here in matte black. McQueen/Persol-like without the monster price (or hinges…damm).

The Jacket: S. Slater by Golden Bear Barracuda – $199. Pricey, but when’s the last time you came across a made in the USA light jacket? Good to throw in your car/on the back of your bike in some areas, totally useless in the warmer climates. Plaid lining, 65% poly / 35% cotton that feels nice and soft. Runs a bit on the short side. Sold through Jackthreads, so be careful… returns are only in the form of store credit. There are plenty of other light jacket options out there.

Your canned beer of choice: 21st Amendment Bitter American. Cans are just easier to transport, and they feel mighty right in your hand while working the grill. Bitter American’s stunningly low 4.4% ABV means you can put a few down and still pedal home without ending up in the shrubbery. Extremely tasty. Well reviewed too.

The Shoes: Brooks Brothers Suede Tie Driving Moc – $148.  A step up from sneakers but nowhere near lace ups.

The Belt: Web Belt – $6.99. Just swing by your local army/navy surplus.

The Shorts: Merona Tailored Club Chino Shorts in Blue – $24.99. Probably the best bang for your buck shorts on the market. Oxford like cloth, lightweight but not flimsy, and cheap enough that when you get charcoal smudges all over them, it’s not that big of a deal.

The Watch: Orient Mako XL on a Crown & Buckle Oxblood Leather PVD 5-Ring – $218.90 Total. Assuming you’ve got a spring bar tool, now’s not a bad time to swap in a leather or canvas strap on a stainless band watch. It totally changes the look, and knocks the shine way down now that the sun is out. You’ll need the 15% off code “dappered” (how nice of them to offer that…) to get the lower price on the strap. Meanwhile, full review on the Mako XL over here.