Essentials? Maybe not each and every one for each and every body. These pieces are more guidelines really. Guidelines that add up to a versatile, warm-weather friendly wardrobe, with a few non wearable additions thrown in. Twenty suggestions follow which are good to have for these days that aren’t just warm, but hot. Assorted specific picks are added below as well. Enjoy the summer.
NOTE: Summer is always travel season, and some of the picks below reflect that. (This post is based on a similar post from years past.) But this year, staycations are obviously a GREAT call. If you do choose to hit the road, be safe out there guys. Mask up. And consider picking destinations (and ways of getting there) that will help us all work through this mess sooner rather than later.
No cargos. No below the knee stuff. But no budgie smugglers either. Shorts are a perfect example of how the extremes on either end can look a little off, yet it’s not too difficult to find the sweet spot. 7″ – 9″ inseams for most should work. Look for lightweight cotton or cotton/linen blends.
Day drinking happens. Especially in the summer, but if you’re hammered and sweaty and loose lipped by the time the brunch dishes are cleared, then you might not get invited back. For the drinkers, try Campari and soda or a Duplex. If you’re sticking to non-alcoholics, try just soda with a few dashes of bitters, or, the above recipe of:
These are the sunglasses that look equally good at a warm weather wedding as they do out back enjoying a cold one while in shorts and a t-shirt. Not all sunglasses can accomplish this. But classic, trimmed down aviators (not too bulbous or droopy lenses), as well as classic aviators do just that. Also, they’ve got to be comfortable. They can’t be sliding off your face all the time, and they can’t dig into your ears. BIG thanks to reader John P. for passing along the Sunski Sale at Leftlane Sports. He also said he’s ordered from that site before, and that they’re legit. So, should be good to go!
I have seen the future, and it is tech wear that doesn’t look terribly much like tech wear. Polos are a perfect garment for this blend of function and style. Trim fit tech polos that don’t look like bulky golf polos are what you’re after. They’re comfortable in the heat, wick sweat, and you’ll never go back to all cotton/spongy pique clubhouse-style junk ever again. Those old-style polos feel like wearing a bath towel in the heat. They’re just plain uncomfortable. So go with tech that feels cool, crisp, and breathes like crazy. Merino does this too, but you’ll pay more for it.
Suede is just all kinds of right, especially in warmer weather. Has to be the softer, matte texture. Less glaring sun reflecting off your shoes. Smooth leather in super hot-hot-heat can look almost… heavy? The classic summer suede shoe is the dirty-buck… but loafers, monk straps, brogues, and yes… even chukkas… all look good here. They go with everything from seersucker suits, to chinos and polos, to jeans on those strangely cool days.
Something that’s easy to grab and go. You want something flexible, versatile, and not overly fussy. It’s (responsible) travel season. Having decent luggage is part of the fun. Even if you’re headed for a short drive to a family cabin or a quiet Airbnb.
I used to wear cotton underwear in the summer. Never again. It was like living in the dark ages. Whether you go spendy (Ex Officio) or cheap (UNIQLO), do your junk a favor and try out some tech underwear that’s been engineered to breathe and gently move sweat away from your skin. It’s a life changer. Also, try to go with colors and shades that aren’t too far off from your skin tone. As a pasty goober, I usually go with gray. That way, I don’t get VPL (or, “visible panty lines” as the ladies would say) if I’m wearing lighter colored pants. Not heeding this advice could result in “lines” where your underwear starts and stops showing through semi-translucent pants like white chinos or cotton/linen pants.
If you’re going to be spending a day socially-distanced at the beach or beside the pool, you’ll probably be bringing some stuff with you. Sunscreen, a frisbee, beer, towel(s), etc. And while the humble tote bag doesn’t get a lot of love in the menswear community, this is the perfect reason to acquire one. Keep it stashed in your car (if you have a car) for quick-ish trips to the grocery store.
The dog days are coming, and sometimes a good book or series of books is a great way to get those of us who can’t stand the heat through the season. Fiction is usually a better idea. And nothing terribly abstract or super dense or… you get the idea. Summer usually means kicking back a bit. So leave the books that give you a headache just thinking about them on the shelf. Also, skip the tablet. Go paperback or hardcover. Books don’t crash, aren’t overly susceptible to splashes of water, and if you accidentally leave it in your vacation rental, it’s not that big of a deal.
Leather soaks up sweat and then starts to stink. Stainless steel is great, but in the blaring sun it can be a bit blinding. A fabric nato, or rubber or silicone strap is perfect for hot weather. And you’ll need the water resistance. Even if you don’t go for a serious dip with the thing on your wrist, usually a higher water resistance means it’s built tougher and can handle what summer often throws at you. Not in the market for a new timepiece? Understood. There are plenty of sources on the web for NATO straps. And often, swapping out the strap on an old, forgotten wrist watch can give it new life.
Obligatory.Canvas might breathe better than leather, but I’ve never had any issue wearing my Stan Smiths in 100+ weather. Bottom line: White sneakers go with everything, especially in summertime.
Go for a pair of swim shorts that’ll be a little bit shorter than what you normally wear in regular shorts, and do opt for mesh lined (control man, control). Patterns have gotten wilder in the last few years, so, why not have some fun with it. You’re at the beach (or lake or pool) after all.
Light, hopsack wool is the ideal. There’s just nothin’ like it. Linen or linen/cotton blends are fine too. And for goodness sake, skip as much of the lining as you can. There’s nothing more self-defeating than a lightweight linen or wool fabric fully lined in suffocating cheap polyester.
It’s time to knock back the weeds. Whether you’re buzzing it yourself, or you’re on a first name basis with one of the best stylists in your city, going short (or at least shorter) for the warm weather is rarely a bad idea.
No, you don’t have to wear it with shorts. Jeans or chinos work too on those oddly cool days. You’re looking for a lightweight wool, linen, slim but strong cotton, or linen cotton blend. Nautical stuff usually works quite well. Great for having on hand for long getaways to a lakeside cabin, or just hanging around your place outside after the sun has gone down.
Because sometimes you can’t wear shorts, or, you don’t want to wear shorts. There are plenty of types/fabrics to pick from that won’t leave you overheated. From full tech to totally natural linen. Full run down can be found here.
It’s all about the texture here. The texture of a knit silk tie, or a chambray tie, goes great with summery fabrics. Meanwhile, it also does a hell of a job relaxing the look of a standard charcoal or navy business suit (as shown above). Standard silk ties can just look a bit off this time of year.
Whether it’s a well equipped basement, a cabin in the mountains, or a favorite forest hiking trail, you gotta find a place where you can look forward to getting out of the heat. Doesn’t need to be a trip to the ends of the earth. Hardly. Just somewhere cool and calm and quiet.
And not just powder for your feet either. Discreetly applying a little (key word, little… you don’t want your crotch to look like a coke addict) bit of body powder to certain areas can greatly aide in preventing what scientists have categorically labeled as “swamp crotch”. It’s like a dryer sheet for your crevasses. No sticking or clinging. Concerned about Talc? There’s plenty of talc free options on the market these days.
Look, it’s sweat. You’re not hemorrhaging kerosene and Country Crock. We sweat when we’re hot. It’s one of the ways we keep ourselves cool. Being overly concerned about whether or not you’re going to get those darker, damp shirt underarms is only going to make you perspire. It’s a hell of a cycle. Now, this “sweat acceptance” is assuming that you don’t stink to the heavens when you do. And if you DO stink, you might want to change your laundry habits, your personal hygiene habits, or see a doctor. Food can effect your body odor, but so can an undetected disease, so it’s a good idea to get it checked out.
This post originally ran in 2018, but has since been updated with current picks. Stay hydrated guys. No really. It’s about as close to a fitness and wellness panacea as it gets. Obviously it won’t cure everything, but most of us are constantly dehydrated. Drink more water. I try to do this: When waking up, drink 16-20 oz of water. Mid day, drink another 16 oz. Early evening, drink another 16 oz. It makes a huge difference. I’m simple, so I use these.
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