With Summer finally upon us and the promise of warm, sunny days on the horizon, the time has come to sort your wardrobe for the months ahead.
Depending on your lifestyle and personal aesthetic this may be easier said than done, but the truth is that by playing your cards right, you're able to ensure utmost comfort and style even during harsh weather conditions. Avoiding the urge to spend the next trimester in tees and shorts is not an impossible task if you choose the right garments, fit, fabrics and of course, footwear.
The misconceived notion that nothing other than the short + t-shirt combo can provide proper comfort during summertime needs to come to an end. Granted, the less clothes you wear the greater the chance to keep cool during the scorching heat; however, besides mandatory dress codes at workplaces, chances are you'll want to look put together on several other occasions. The great part is that, as usual, we've got you covered with a selection of seasonal essentials you should invest in:
LINEN
From a relaxed 2-piece suit to odd items like camp collar shirts or trousers, this is your best ally. Besides being durable and eco-friendly, it's also a lightweight and breathable natural fiber that will allow your body to cool down while portraying somewhat of an Italian swag.
A linen suit can be toned down with a clean leather sneaker such as Martin, or elevated with a suede or leather loafer such as Devon or Stevi. For extra style points, pair your suit with a pair of Mayan leather sandals.
GO WIDE
Fit also plays a crucial role in ensuring you keep comfortable throughout the day. It's easy to understand that skin-tight fits will increase your body temperature no matter the garment. Opt for more relaxed patterns that add mobility and breathability to your look and you won't the difference it makes; suddenly you're able to wear a sports jacket on top of that much loved shirt or polo.
Plus, regular fitting pants allow you to sport bulkier footwear as they provide a well-rounded balance between trouser and shoe: on the sport side of things we recommend Venture or Hover, whereas on the casual, or choice falls upon the Devon and Caye derby shoes.
SEERSUCKER
Another iconic summer fabric, seersucker is often associated with preppy striped suits, but it has come a long way since. Nowadays it's a menswear staple even for streetwear brands, being widely used in shirts and trousers. It's breathable and textured, making it quite unique looking and fashionable, meaning you'll need to amp your footwear: the Amber boat shoe is a great choice to update the Ivy Leagy aesthetic, as is Anapolis due to the clean look and bright color accents.
INVISIBLE SOCKS
We're all up for the bare ankle look, but please do it proper to ensure the longevity of your footwear. Walking around with no socks will damage your shoes or sneakers, as the bacteria from your sweat is absorbed by the lining and insoles.
Make sure to wear invisible socks that allow you to portray the look without damaging your shoes and if possible, invest in cedar shoe trees that will absorb moisture and help preserve the shape of the last.
Loafers and slip-ons such as Dan and Kit are the styles that look best with the "no-socks" look.
TAILORED SHORTS
If your lifestyle and workplace allows it, shorts are indeed a perfect choice for Summery looks. Thankfully, long go the days where all the available styles looked like you were coming from the gym; nowadays, it's easy to find tailored versions in a variety of fabrics that merge the best of both worlds - comfort and style. Showing your calves also allows for a wide range of styles, as proportions between trousers and footwear is no longer an issue.
For a sportier look thrown on a pair of Rhome or Court sneakers.
