Last Sunday not only marked the annual celebration of fatherhood, but it also ushered in the first day of summer. The days and weeks leading up to it had few indications when or if the season would ever appear. It was as if summer was on the block with winter and spring playing double-dutch, mischievously dancing on the side, waiting for her chance to jump in. Summer made her move, gleefully skipping for a few beats then bounding out as swiftly as she jumped in. Sunday, she began making her presence known, like the bell of the ball arriving fashionably late in a scarlet dress and radiating across the sky. The mercury and humidity are on the rise, and now it seems she’s here to stay. That means it’s time to get ready for fun in the sun.
If you listen closely to the women around you or read enough magazines, you’ll discover that there’s a ritual involved with readying yourself for summer. Much like spring cleaning reorganizes, refreshes and prepares your home for entertaining in warmer more inviting weather, you should do the same for body and your closet. It’s time to take stock in what you wore last year; is it still in style and more importantly does it still fit? That being said, there are a few selections that never go out of style, these timeless bits and pieces should be stables of any man’s summer wardrobe. Here’s a short list that provides some simple guidelines to follow.
The classic polo shirt is a must. Choose 100 percent cotton or blends made with breathable fabrics. If you want to remain cool, keep manmade fabrics like polyester to a minimum. Brushed cotton offers superior comfort and presents a finish that works well in both relaxed and semi-dress settings. Pique knits are best for casual or active outings. Sportswear manufacturers like Gore-Tex, Nike, Under Armor and Reebok carry lines with names like Dri-Fit, Play Dry or Heat Gear, all designed to help keep you cool by wicking moisture away from your body. If you want a more proper option when pairing polos with suits or dress slacks, try Mercerized cotton. It lends sleekness to an otherwise pedestrian chemise. Upscale designers like Joseph Abboud, Robert Graham, Ralph Lauren and others offer selections made from silk, cashmere, linen and other exotic fabrics, the oddest of which is angora.
The pocket T-shirt is another go-to piece for your summer wardrobe. Pocket tees come in a rainbow of colors and fabrics, in Henley, crew and v-neck styles. This versatile ditty works well on its own or layered under camp shirts, sport coats, denim jackets, even long-sleeved button-ups. T-shirts in general not only help keep you cool and dry but upgrades your appearance by giving you a much neater look. Keep a few screen printed varieties on hand to add a little whimsy to your collection. As for fabrics, use the same guidelines you would for polos. Pima or brushed cotton will be most comfortable; silk, rayon and ramie provide dressier and more luxurious expression. Now, unless you’re a jack-legged mechanic, butcher, old-school barber or playing tennis, the plain white tee should be used as an undershirt; it is not by any means meant to be worn as a mainstay garment. This is one of those trends that needs to give up the ghost with a quickness. There’s nothing cool about it. When you wear plain white tees sands any other accruements, you’ll look as if you forgot the rest of your clothes at home on the bed, or you’re ready for the County lock up. It’s just plain sloppy, silly and very unfashionable.
Summertime is the most relaxed season and generally except for austere business environments, short-sleeved sports shirts will work well for most occasions. Camp, cabana and Guyaberra shirts, sometimes called the Mexican Wedding Shirt, will keep you in cool comfort style. However, there will be those times when you’ll need to go with long-sleeves. Button-down collars are a top pick. They stay neat and can be dressed up with a jacket or khakis or unwind by letting the tail hang, and when necessary adding a tie gives you a sense of casual elegance. Also consider collarless and banded collars when seeking to subvert the norm. Here’s an option that I’ve always made an essential to my year-round approach to dressing. I always keep at least two very crisp, very white French cuffed shirts to wear with jeans and a sport coat. In recent years I’ve added pink stripes and plaids in various guises. This look is great for dates, nights out on the town, informal business meetings and if you’re lucky to have them, casual Fridays.
Next up is some great denim pieces. You’ll need several pairs to get you through the season. Some all-purpose, five-pocket relaxed-fits in various shades are a must in addition to a few dark-washed embellished numbers. Incorporate rigged and crosshatched denim for those times when you need to make that day-into-night transition. These two options go well with sport coats, dress shirts, summer sweaters, button-ups and Mercerized cotton polos. Jeans are an old favorite that will never go out of style. Choose the cut that fits you best; boot-cut, straight-legged or flared; all are viable options. Chinos and khakis in various colors should fix into the mix; however, no matter what anyone says, cargo pants are not meant to be worn as dress wear.
I still don’t understand why women judge a man by his shoes or why they need so many, but it may be time we paid more attention to our footwear. It seems like men put more time and effort in choosing a pair of sneakers than they do in finding those killer kicks that women love. When shopping for shoes, you’ll need to think about your entire wardrobe, comfort and functionality. Yes you still need a great pair(s) of sneakers, but be just as selective when it comes to your casual and dress options. Go for a pair of plain white low-top sneakers. These will go with athletic and casual wear. You’ll also need a pair that you can use to work out in or for outdoor events that won’t mind getting dirty. These can be high or low tops, in whatever styles you’re fond of. Next, a nice pair of driving moccasins and loafers is crucial; depending on the mode these can go with everything from jeans to khakis or suits to shorts. Round out your cache with lace-ups in brown, black and cordovan and if so inclined repeat the same shades with slip-ons. Lastly, sandals and soccer slides for those days when your feet need to breathe.
(Note: I’ll cover men’s footwear more purposely in a future posting; so don’t miss it.)
Finally on my short list of summer essentials is outerwear. This category includes jackets, sweaters and sport coats. Listen to me closely; if you don’t have a black three button sport coat, go and get one right now! You’ll need linen and tropical weight wool for the summer, along with canvas to play with those screen printed tees I spoke of earlier. In addition to black, insert British Tan, and a nautical blue to your list. Lastly, a khaki or olive drab military inspired sport coat is keen alternative to have at your disposal. Nearly all of these will work with denim or slacks, and if you’re a true man of style, you’ll know how to employ shorts into this category. It’s always a good idea to keep a sweater in your car for those cool summer nights by the lake. Go with cardigans, mock, turtle or v-necks. You can always tie it over your shoulder or around your waist until needed and it’ll come in handy when your significant other gets a little chilly. To finish, an updated denim jacket, or canvas cart coat will compliment most of what you wear this summer, but always consider another timeless classic—leather.
Come back next week to catch part 2 of "Ready, Set, Summer (Clothes)!" I’ll be covering shorts, open-toed footwear and getting your body ready for warm weather.
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