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Style Scenario: It’s too damn hot

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What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. The days are longer and the sun is meaner. Some parts of the country are already stifling, with others soon to be that was as well. Here’s one option for looking (and more importantly, feeling) as cool as possible when the temperatures hit peak perspiration levels. Top Photo Credit

Style Scenario - It's Too Damn Hot by Dappered.com

 

The Shirt: UNIQLO Dry Button Down Collar Polo – $14.90 ($22.90). Unlike a 100% cotton polo, these are a cotton poly blend specifically designed to be airy, lightweight, and dry quickly. When you sweat, the moisture in your pits/on your back evaporates faster than other polos, which can often hold onto that wetness all day. White base with grey stripes = visual interest while still reflecting the sun’s rays. And no, it doesn’t look anything like a short sleeve dress shirt in person.

The Pants: Bonobos Oxleys in Indigo – $65.66 ($98). Even prudes go commando in these every once in a while. They’re that comfortable. Cut from super soft oxford cloth that’s both relaxed and stylish at the same time. Bonobos has enough rabid fans that hyperbole around their products gets old, but seriously… there’s some sorcery going on here. They’re addicting. And awesome. More sizes, for $78, over here.

The Belt: GAP Leather & Cotton Belt – $24.95. Heavy leather belts are a bit like raw denim and single malt scotch. They don’t work so well when it’s brutally hot out (with some exceptions). Lighten up but still keep your belt snug & secure with a cotton webbing / leather combo option like this one.

The Watch: Hugo Boss Rubber Strap Racing Chrono– $189 – $200. Gee whiz… can’t quite tell where that one got it’s styling from. Anywhodiddly… certainly not everyone’s style, but consider something with a band that won’t absorb sweat, or, reflect light (so, leather & stainless or gold might not be ideal when it’s sweltering). This is a perfect opportunity to wear that Timex Weekender slip-thru.

The Shoes: Brooks Brothers Suede Tie-Driver – $148. Skip the heavy leather dress shoes and instead opt for something lightweight & airy. Drivers, penny loafers, boat shoes, canvas sneakers, etc… Plenty other shades available for this shoe, just in case you’d prefer something less… smurfy?

The Sunglasses: Ray Ban New Wayfarer in Tortoise – $82.24. Ever set your wire framed sunglasses down in the sun for a bit, then put them back on, only to sear your temples/tops of your ears to medium-well on contact? Right. Lots of fun. These won’t do that. Sure, plastic frames are inherently more casual, but everyone is more casual when it’s super hot out.

The non-clothing trio: Gold Bond Foot Powder, Titanium Dioxide Sunscreen, A full water bottle. – Gold Bond’s foot powder is cooling, long lasting, and does the trick. Titanium Dioxide based sunscreens won’t stain your clothes if you’ve got hard water. And speaking of water, staying hydrated is key. Aim for downing at least one, if not two of these a day. You’ll feel better, and might even end up slimmer.

Comments

  1. IMHO, not the best watch.
    As you said, a weekender would be much better.

  2. Not a fan of the watch either. It’s imitating a more expensive watch that still doesn’t look good. +1 on the weekender.

    If you’re looking for an alternative to the RB New Wayfarer (a good pick, here), consider dropping by Costco and trying on their Wayfakers (just made that one up.) They’re genuinely nice shades and they were only 20 bucks just a couple weeks ago when I picked up my pair. Some people even say you don’t need a membership to shop in optical.

  3. Note: that Uniqlo shirt is on sale for $14.90 right now (as of 6:30 am CDT, Monday June 16).

  6. Swap the watch for a Weekender and upgrade to polarized Wayfarers. Anything less than polarized is criminal.

  8. It’s always too damn hot here in Florida. I could just about wear this look year round. Speaking of watch bands for the heat, how does a mesh metal one fair in the heat? Just about the same as a regular stainless one?

  10. Knockaround also makes a good, cheap wayfarer option. Fort Knocks in tortoise, polarized for $30. While you’re there, pick up a pair of Premiums for the perfect well.. knockaround glasses. They’re what I wear when I’m out on the water or playing sports.

  11. And for when it’s REALLY hot out, go for the regular ol’ Gold Bond powder in…other areas you might want to keep dry.

  12. My go to summer outfit: $9 Target v necks, cotton shorts of various colors, boat shoes, drivers, or some nikes if I’m going to be walking long distances. I recently found that the cotton tailored khakis from Gap are fantastic for work and casual days. Easily my favorite pair of pants in my closet. They don’t have nearly as many colors as Bonobos, but they are a little cheaper ($55).

  14. Polarized Wayfarers carry a price premium as well, around $50. I know I sound like a Costco shill here, but the Wayfakers are polarized.

  15. The TH Monaco is a watch that can’t be copied and it makes me sad when companies try. For a summer watch I am really enjoying my F1. The watch can be worn from the golf course, to the pool and then fit right in at an evening BBQ.

  16. I would swap the Oxleys out for some summer weight chinos from Bonobos. Joe’s whats your thought on those?

  17. Don’t titanium dioxide sunscreens make you look like you’re in white face? Or does only zinc oxide do that?

  20. Careful there, fellas. Sometimes that stings. Or so I would imagine.

    BTW, how different is GB’s foot powder from their “regular o'” body powder? I use the (yellow/orange bottle) body stuff in my shoes – mainly because I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the blue one on the shelves, locally. Are they really *that* (or *any*) different?

  23. I hate that. But I hate other (allegedly) cancer-causing ingredients even more. Sucks, but if I gotta lather some on (again, wow), then I go with the temporary clown-face look.

    This year, I’ve been trying harder to just cover up more frequently (collared long-sleeve linen/linen-cotton/etc), more and different hats (styles), etc.

  25. You learn to love the sting. But yeah, its pretty serious at first, especially with the extra strength stuff. But it really does help in hot climates. Its a summer necessity here for sure. The blue bottle is marked foot powder, but I’m not sure how its different other than its much stronger.

  27. Gold bottle (regular strength):
    – Menthol, 0.15% (anti-itch)
    – Zinc Oxide, 1% (skin protectant)

    Green bottle (extra strength) –
    – Menthol, 0.8% (anti-itch)
    – Zinc Oxide, 5.0% (skin protectant)

    Blue bottle (foot powder)
    – Menthol, 1.0% (anti-itch)

    source: http://www.goldbond.com/

  28. The sad part about the Costco deal is the additional cost of the membership to get in..

  30. I would go with the oxford cloth but hold the pants. I used to be a pants purist, but when it’s 105 even lightweight pants are just too much.

  32. Thanks for the deets, Adam. That sure seems like a pretty solid difference there between the regular/gold body and the blue foot, eh? Not sure I have a real anti-itch need – more of just a keep my footwear “so fresh and so clean” one.

  34. What is the consensus on OCBDs during the hotter months? I’m in the process of building my wardrobe and looking for the essential items and OCBDs are typically on everyone’s list. I just have pause seeing as we are now in the summer months and its pretty warm in Florida this time of year 🙂

    I’ve seen some people say despite the Oxford cloth being a heavier cloth, it is an open weave so it breathes better than other fabrics. Thoughts? Would I be good adding this wardrobe staple?