Summer brings warmer temperatures and a host of social events. Knowing how to dress appropriately for different occasions while staying cool can be challenging. This guide will help you navigate summer style for various settings, from formal business attire to casual weekend wear.
Formal/Business
For formal business settings in summer, opt for lightweight tropical wool suits in lighter colours like light grey or lighter blue. Tropical wool are made especially with a higher twist and are open weave that allows air to flow through much more than your standard wool fabric.
Pair with a crisp lightweight dress shirt and a silk tie. Avoid heavy, dark fabrics that absorb heat; though, if you do enjoy wearing colours like navy, absolutely make sure you're wearing tropical wool fabric to add to your cool and comfort in the heat.
Key pieces:
- Lightweight wool suit
- Lightweight cotton dress shirt
- Silk tie
- Leather dress shoes
Semi-Formal
Semi-formal summer events call for a balance between polish and comfort. A tailored blazer with dress pants or chinos works well. Consider high-twist summer wool fabric for breathability if you're in business formal settings. You can go for linen or cotton blends if you're in more business casual settings.
Key pieces:
- Tailored blazer
- Dress pants or chinos
- Button-down shirt
- Loafers or dress shoes
Business Casual
For a business casual look, combine smart chinos or jeans with a polo shirt or a textured collared shirt. Go for breathable fabrics like cotton or linen blends in your tops
Key pieces:
- Tailored trousers or chinos
- Polo shirt or textured button-down
- Loafers or smart sneakers
Dinner Out
When going out for dinner, dress up your casual look with a tailored sportscoat and well-fitted chinos. Go for a slightly textured shirt to complement your sportscoat (we hope you aren't wearing your suit jacket as a sportscoat) or a polo shirt for casual settings
Key pieces:
- Cotton or linen shirt
- Chinos
- Lightweight sportscoat
- Leather loafers or sneakers
Social Gatherings
Social gatherings strikes that balance between formal elegance and relaxed sophistication, allowing for more personal expression in a dressy-casual setting. Pair pieces like your polos with a dressier pair of jeans and a tailored sports jacket to turn casual into smart/dressy-casual.
Remember that your shoes do make a difference that can turn your outfit into a more casual or a more dressy look, depending on what you're after.
Friday Night Drinks
For a Friday night at the pub, go for a casual yet put-together look. Try summerweight jeans or light coloured chinos with a stylish short-sleeved shirt/polo or a well-fitting t-shirt layered under an open chambray shirt
Key pieces:
- Short-sleeved polo
- Open linen shirt
- Sneakers or casual loafers
Weekend Casual
For a relaxed weekend look, embrace comfort with style. Pair tailored shorts with a simple short-sleeve tee. Add a light overshirt for versatility
Key pieces:
- Tailored shorts
- T-shirt
- Light overshirt
- Sandals or slip-on sneakers
Beating the Heat
When temperatures soar, prioritize breathable fabrics like linen, cotton, and seersucker. Try looser-fitting (no, not baggy!) clothes that allow air circulation.
Key pieces:
- Linen shorts
- Loose-fitting cotton t-shirt
- Comfy sneakers
What if I Don't Like Linen?
If linen isn't your style but you still want to stay cool, consider lightweight cotton, chambray, or open-weave cotton fabrics designed for breathability. These materials offer comfort without the wrinkled look of linen
And don't forget, jeans and chinos do in light weight material. You don't have to avoid your go-to's to keep cool
Key pieces:
- Chambray shirt
- Lightweight cotton chinos
- Mercerised cotton polo/Pique polo
- Breathable sneakers
But I Mostly Wear Conservative Colours
For those who prefer a more conservative colour palette, create interest through texture and subtle pattern variations:
- Layer different shades of blue for depth
- Mix textures like a smooth cotton shirt with a textured navy blazer
- Incorporate patterns like stripes or small checks in your blue and white pieces
- Use white as an accent colour to brighten up navy and blue outfits (e.g. White shirt with navy pants and vice versa)
Remember, the key to great summer style is balancing comfort with appropriate dressing for each occasion. By choosing the right fabrics, colours, and fits, you can look stylish while staying cool in the summer heat.
Keep it cool and fresh this Summer!
Until next time,
Raoul’s Menswear
-
Raoul’s is a premium luxury menswear store in the heart of Church Street Brighton. The store offers a collection of Ready-to-Wear clothes and Made-to-Measure/Order services. At Raoul’s, you can enjoy brands such as Canali, Paul & Shark, BOSS, Eton, Gran Sasso, and more. Come visit the Raoul’s for your premium menswear shopping experience