Boys of Summer

One of the main challenges during one of the most, well, challenging, heat waves of the year thus far is staying cool. And the other? Looking the part.

As the mercury rises, our thoughts naturally drift to lazy afternoons spent on the water, coastal vacations, and balmy evenings spent with friends and strangers alike. Easy dressing becomes the code we can’t live without; while shorts and t-shirts remain standard, it’s still possible to play with the execution in a way that feels considered without constraint. Big prints, breezy fabrics and generous tailoring all play a part in creating an effortless look that can go from beach to boat, to bar in one fell swoop.

Texture remains one of the most effortless ways to elevate a set of basics. Whether you reach for a loose knit or silk, the visual impact of layering different textures is often more than enough, even when it comes to monochrome dressing. For summer, reach for textures rendered in natural fibers for the best of both style and comfort like silk, seersucker or linen.

Wearing a printed shirt is like playing music: the louder, the better. What better time to wear a borderline-obnoxious shirt than poolside on holiday? Exotic destination optional. We like to stick to oversized silhouettes for a relaxed feel. Asides from that, the only other mandate of note is to go big or go home.

Menswear die-hards can harp about the loafer or the boat shoes all day, but this season in particular happens to be the year of the flip-flop. By extension, sandals are also enjoying a well-deserved moment in the sun. Fisherman’s sandals, slides, flip-flops or anything in-between adds to the lazy-cool factor that summer is so good for. Flaunt the feet – the heat (and the fit) demands it.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you should be aware by now that oversized bottoms have been enjoying a moment for the past several years. This is not that; we’re talking generous suiting that bears a definitive polish yet is still airy and easy to move in.

From trending running apps like Strava to the now-ubiquitous run club, the act of running has moved beyond a fitness activity to become a new sort of 3rd space and cultural marker. Wellness may be in, but these days, running is on the cutting edge. Unsurprisingly, so is running gear; we can’t think of anything more hot weather friendly than that.