Style Scenario: When it first heats up

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. Spring. Nice knowin’ ya. After what seemed like the longest winter since the Woolly Mammoth was lumbering about, spring came and went in some areas like a kitten fart in the breeze. It’s already getting hot in much of the Northern Hemisphere, yet it’s still possible to look put together amidst those scorching temps. Here’s one way to to it.

The Shirt: J. Crew Factory Slim-Fit Washed Button Down Contrast Collar – $29.50. Yes indeed, a white, contrast collar here. But you won’t look like Robert Craft being that it’s a relaxed washed-cotton fabric, and you’re skipping the tie. Unbutton the top two buttons and it’ll look much more breezy than boardroom.

The Blazer: UNIQLO Light Cotton Jacket – $69.90. Pre-washed, almost totally unlined, and made out of lightweight cotton. Pretty much what you’re looking for in a summer laid-back jacket.

The Pants: GAP Linen-Cotton Khaki Straight Fit in Light Grey – $41.96 w/ TEES ($59.95). The choice for a linen blend here isn’t just for breath-ability. With a washed cotton jacket up on top, washed cotton chinos on the bottom might look a little off. It’s sorta the business casual version of denim on denim. 90% of the time it looks just fine, but sometimes it looks a bit odd. The linen in the fabric here ads some contrast in terms of texture, as well as helps make them super breathable. Always on sale.

The Watch: Daniel Wellington Nottingham – $99.36. The slimmer case and more refined dial makes it more dressed up than a weekender, but you still get the summery slip-through striped band. UPDATE: This is no longer fulfilled by Amazon, but sold & fulfilled by a 3rd party retailer.

The Sunglasses: Warby Parker Griffin in Matte Black – $95. Despite what some might think, you don’t have to match the frame of your sunglasses to your belt, shoes, and other accessories. Sometimes it can look a little to matchy-matchy. So black works just fine here. Polarized lenses too. Ships & returns free.

The Bag: Filson Original Briefcase in Navy – $265. Made in the USA and can handle a ton of abuse. Does go on sale every so often.

The Shoes: Aldo Alaun Penny Loafer – $79.95. Looks like the Abboud penny loafers first featured over here are all but sold out. But these seem to be a reasonable facsimile. Nice and sleek. Aldo of course doesn’t have the best rep for quality, so don’t expect a $200 pair of shoes. You’re spending $80 after all.

The Card Case: Coach Crossgrain Case in Blue/Black “Badlands Flora”- $60 ($85). Yes, a floral pattern. In a bruised color scheme none the less.

The Belt: Bonobos Braided Stretch Belt – $45.00 ($65). A warm-weather appropriate belt minus the usual brightly colored stripes. You already have some of those wrapped around your wrist thanks to the DW watch.