Summer Look for Men
A guide to the must-haves of men's summer style
Dressing well in the heat can feel so intimidating it seems impossible. As the rising mercury steals away our layers and textures and multitude of fabrics our advances in personal style come to a grinding halt. How can you dress well when first and foremost you have to dress to stay comfortable? How can you build multiple outfits if the only items you can wear are shirts, shorts, and shoes?
The secret, as with most of men’s style, is in the details. The following men’s summer fashion items can be mixed and matched in endless combinations ensuring your sartorial skill doesn’t take a 4 month summer at the beach.
- 1. The Polo That Fits
You’re no stranger to the polo shirt, also known as a golf shirt. Your mom had been dressing you in these for as long as you’ve been fit to go out in public. You’ve spent your life seeing middle-aged guys wear these tucked into dress pants. And you’ve probably eschewed them as you’ve started caring about your personal style, assuming they’re for prep school kids and old guys on the golf course. And, if you’re basing that on what you’ve seen other guys doing, you’d be right.
But the reality is the polo shirt can be one of the sharpest and most versatile shirts in your wardrobe if you focus on getting the fit right.
The secret, though, to not looking like an old man is to focus on the fit details. I’m not prescribing a “tight” shirt, a proper fitting polo based on the guidelines below will have any gentleman, regardless of weight or shape looking sharp.
The secret, though, to not looking like an old man is to focus on the fit details. I’m not prescribing a “tight” shirt, a proper fitting polo based on the guidelines below will have any gentleman, regardless of weight or shape looking sharp.
- Sleeve seam should fall on the edge of the shoulder.
- Sleeve should fall half to three quarters down the biceps and be fitted, not baggy or tight.
- The body should be slim enough to create a trim silhouette based on your shape, not tightness
- Tail should fall half way down the zipper of your shorts/pants.
A common mistake young guys make is trying to size down to achieve proper proportions which can lead to a shirt with some of the details right but is overall too small.
Look for a different brand, fit, or consider cheap alterations by a tailor. I also personally avoid tucking in my polos in all but the most business casual environments, in which case I would opt for a tucked in button up instead.
<<Check this Polo Out
<<Check this Polo Out
- 2.The Fitted Flat Front Short in Multiple Colors
If you’re only going to buy one item on this list, it’s the fitted flat front short. So many guys are still stuck wearing baggy, long cargo shorts from the likes of American Eagle and it’s the single biggest thing holding them back with their smart summer style.
I included the baggy cargo short on my list of 11 Out of Style Trends You Should Phase Out of Your Wardrobe three years ago, and they were already YEARS out of style at that point.
Shorts have become slimmer and higher for well over a decade. And while there are plenty that are too high and too tight as you start approaching the fashion end of the style spectrum, there is a great middle ground that will give you a fitted silhouette without compromising comfort or showing too much leg. Don’t be afraid of seeing an inch to two inches of leg above your knee cap: It creates a more put-together, intentional look. When done correctly, it won’t look too tight or too short.
<<maybe your looking for a Swim Short
Penguin Men's Swim Trunk>>
- 3.The Boat Shoe
Invented in the early twentieth century so sailors, would, you know, not slip and die while navigating a slippery boat deck, the boat shoe rose to sartorial prominence during the nation’s obsession with New England Prep style in the 1960’s. Once the domain of old men, or d-bags, or old men d-bags, the boat shoe has been within the everyman’s style for over 30 years, so don’t be afraid of them. No one is going to call you Mr. Harvard if you wear them, they’re going to call you that annoying guy who is always so well-dressed.
The boat shoe is the single most important piece of footwear for summer style. Wear it casually with a t-shirt or dress it up with slim fit chinos and a button up shirt. They’re perfectly acceptable footwear in most summer business casual settings, and definitely my go-to for any summer date or jaunt. Once you’ve trekked around in them for a week or two they mold to your feet and become beyond buttery comfortable.
- 4.The Webbed Belt
When you have a solid color shirt and a solid color pair of pants, you need to introduce some visual variety. you can employ a webbed belt, also commonly called surcingle or cotton, which can lighten a look with a solid color or add depth with a pattern like stripes.
- 5.The Short Sleeve Henley
Sometimes you just want to wear a t-shirt. There’s nothing wrong with that; but instead of choosing some standard screen printed tee, go for something with a little more dimension.
A short sleeve henley provides the comfort and heat control of a t-shirt, but the button placket makes it so much more. Just as with the polo and short sleeve button up, fit is paramount. You’re looking for one that looks trim without being tight.
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