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. So you’ve been invited to something, maybe a benefit or a wedding, and it’s outdoors. The temps during the day might creep up on triple digits, but at night it’ll be comfortable. And you’re set to arrive as the sun is starting to go down. This outfit will get most from cocktails to a twilight stroll with minimal sweat and maximum style.
The Blazer: J. Crew Ludlow Sportcoat in Italian Herringbone Linen – $238 ($348). Just went on sale for a bit more than 30% off. And yes, a blazer on a summer evening is doable. This one’s linen exterior + Bemberg Lining is nicely breathable. Just field tested the similar Irish Linen suit jacket in triple digits, and as long as you’re not standing in the sun for extended periods of time, most will be fine. Take a cool shower before you get dressed. The dark indigo color means you can easily wear this year round. Especially with jeans. (For a cheap option, maybe this one from UNIQLO?)
The Pocket Square: Cotton Gingham Pocket Square – $14.99
The Shirt: B.R. Slim Fit Stretch Dress Shirt – $41.65 w/ EVERYONE. Don’t go with a non-iron shirt on a hot night like this. That non-iron finish can get stiff and stuffy real quick. Wrinkles are to be expected. Banana Republic’s Slim Fit Stretch dress shirts are nice and light, airy, with decent sized collars and good buttons.
The Belt: L.L. Bean Canvas D-Ring Belt – $24.95. Keep it lighter than leather around your waist. A nice color mix of charcoal, soapstone, and brass. Ships free too. Also, there’s a more expensive, Made in the USA O-ring version over at L.L. Bean Signature.
The Pants: Banana Republic Vintage Straight 5-Pocket Pant – $27.99 w/ EVERYONE. Starting to get scattered in sizes, but any white or off whitechinos will do. The white pants and grey shoes avoid the navy blazer + khaki pants + brown shoes = yacht club look. It leans more Italian, and less golf course banquet hall. Throw it in your cart with that shirt and it ships free.
The Shoes: Transcript Grey Suede Tassel Loafer – $99.95. Summer + smooth leather can look a little stuffy. Suede is the smartest play. Bucks work as well, but an ultra sleek loafer like these from Nordstrom do the trick and then some. More on the Transcript option over here.
The Watch: Citizen Eco-Drive Chronograph – $225.00
The Face Mattefier: Anthony Logistics Oil Control – $23.99
The Drink: The Americano. Part Campari, part sweet vemouth, part soda. Not as much alcohol (or gut-rotting high fructose corn syrup) as a gin and tonic. Bitter enough that you have to take it easy and sip it slow. Less alcohol = less sweating. Oh, Bond didn’t like it? That’s fine. Bond was a (loveable) drunk (see his health report in Thunderball). It’s no surprise he didn’t like a drink that you can’t start your car with. If the bar is well stocked, and your taste buds are trashed after years of drinking Campari, ask for an Americano but with Gran Classico switched in. It won’t look or taste as “kool-aid red”. OH YEAH.
Man I hate these posts…because I’m jealous…. I wish i lived in a place where I could wear a blazer at night during the summer. I don’t even do pants I’ll sweat that much.
But for the fortunate ones – great look!
I ordered the J. Crew Ludlow Sportcoat in Italian Herringbone Linen is a very heavy weight material. Much too warm for any summer weather. Might be good for Fall. beautiful Sportcoat.
Went to buy Navy Ludlow sportcoat in linen. *whew* Out of stock in 44L!
My wallet says “thank you”, J. Crew!
I really like the outfit as pictured but I have one concern. If you get a bit warm and take the jacket off, you’re in a white shirt with white jeans. I think that might be a bit much.
colonel sanders disagrees
You simply can’t wear the white jeans with white shirt.
if you take of the coat, you look like a waiter.
I was just going to post the same thing. That jacket is some cold weather linen, much heavier than the Irish linen jacket Joe references, I think.
I saw plenty of comments about the weight but still went ahead and bought it during one of the previous sales. It’s definitely pretty heavy but I still would’ve kept it except that it seemed to run large on me compared to other standard material Ludlows I’ve tried in the past.
That Irish linen jacket isn’t flimsy by any stretch. Great construction. Heavy in construction, but still breathes really well when you wear it. But yeah, haven’t seen the Italian on yet. Still would love to give it a try.
You can wear white on white easily: http://dappered.com/2013/06/style-scenario-the-summer-white-party/ . Especially in the summer, when it’s a bazillion degrees out. Easier than you’d think.
I did it the other night, as stated. I took my jacket off a few times. No one confused me with a waiter (what waiters wear white pants? Those’d get messy fast… participant in running of the bulls perhaps) . Got numerous compliments, which isn’t what I personally go for, but it was nice.
Interesting. I’ve not seen the Irish linen firsthand. When I received the Italian jacket, I was actually kind of shocked by how heavy it was. I always think of linen in terms of unlined, easily wrinkled pieces.
These are probably much closer than you’d expect. The Irish linen is fully lined, substantial chest piece, etc… A little freaky to wear it out in the sun at first, but I’ve worn the heck out of mine this summer with ease.
Definitely agree with the Americano. Its one of my summer go to drinks.
Like the look Joe. Ive got a cheap linen suit from H&M that I like to mix up with other pieces.
So does Boss Hogg, right?
$2 hankie >>>>> $24 mattifier
Always good to have a brow-wiper on hand but… as a member of the frying-pan-forehead club, those two things really aren’t the same. Mattifier is great stuff.
As someone who has very oily skin, I’d recommend just brushing on cornstarch. I’ve been doing it lately when I go “out” out, and I can come home 7-8 hours later with no shine at all.
I feel you there.
Waiters wear aprons. You’d look like an orderly!
Nice call on the face matte. I’ve been curious if such things existed.
I’d personally swap in a light blue or lavender shirt.
I think it’s possible to do it if you break it up with a tie…
otherwise you’re venturing into REALLY dangerous territory..lol
i need some.
We can agree to disagree. 🙂 Plus, leave the ol’ jacket on.
Ha ah…Joe, you need to put up a pic rockin’ ashton’s all white diddy party look…
Muahahaha..right….An orderly from a mental ward..
If your gin and tonics are loaded with high fructose corn syrup you’re making them wrong. I like the gin rickey – swaps in selzer for the tonic water. Very refreshing.
Or, you’re at a place that shoots tonic from a gun. I prefer Q tonic myself, but it’s pricey and most places don’t have it. Great call on the rickey though, precisely what I had the other night while wearing the outfit above (no campari on hand that evening)
That doesnt really make sense to me, but you’ve never steered me wrong before. I may just have to try it out sometime.
style scenario has become my favorite series on Dappered
Red drink and white pants? To quote one of my favorites, The Departed: “What, you got your period or somethin?”
If you order the J. Crew Ludlow Sportcoat in Italian Herringbone Linen between the sales (i.e. midnight-3amish ET, $238 sale ending 23rd, but the price won’t go back up until around 3am, thus overlapping 40% off sale starting 24th), you could get it for $142.80. Based on my personal experience, every now and then, this is allowed.
Dan’s parties totally rock, what with everyone not wearing pants!