It’s easy for men to get summer style wrong — should you wear shorts in the office? Can you look smart and not overheat? How can you pull off a lively, summer shirt? Here, we’ve put together dos and don’ts to help boys get through every compromising situation they could find themselves in during a heatwave — from the pub to the beach, via London Fields. (Some starters: dress up, slide into loafers, lean into preppy and be sure to give invisible socks a hard pass).
How to dress on holiday:
Do: Be brave, try matching your top and bottoms
Don’t write off co-ords for men altogether. Tinie Tempah proved sky blue Issey Miyake slacks with a matching shade shirt works at Maro Itoje’s charity art sale, while Stormzy is a fan of the Homme Plissé short and shirt set in forest green. Bright SMR Days printed cotton sets are great for holiday, as are matching white linen pieces, Saint Tropez style.
Don’t: Wear a loud paisley (or otherwise printed) cotton shirt
Slightly too-tight shirts with dreadful prints should be shunned while abroad — looser fits are great to avoid a “papa lost in Palma” aesthetic.
Do: Try the mens safari-style
An idea from Marylebone’s front line (Chiltern Firehouse): adopt safari style. Men at a Gucci party earlier this summer paired khaki shirts with staple front pockets with matching slacks and sandals. Think YSL, Morocco, etc.
Don’t: Be seen in the wrong trunks
Drawstrings are out, smart tailored trunks with button fastenings are the ticket. While David Cameron loves a Vilebrequin, I suggest Gusari and Orlebar Brown for the best proper swimmers.
When it comes to the office:
Do: Try a light, double breasted summer suit
Thin cotton suits? It works for work. Either opt for a subtle beige, Luca Faloni does a lovely navy style, or try a striped, pinstripe blazer paired with a white jean, as Ralph Lauren suggests.
Don’t: Wear flat white leather trainers with them
Beware of the flat-footed, white leather trainer-cum-plimsoles. These look basic now. Wear loafers instead.
Do: A striped, blue and white shirt
This classic is a great bet for bringing summery freshness into the desk job — if you can get away with it, a great vintage polo shirt paired with smart chinos is another surefire hit.
Don’t: Wear shorts of any variety
Searches for “mens work shorts” have been climbing this summer. We can only pray it’s not anyone going into an office. It is not appropriate to bare your knees in a 9 to 5.
When you’re out at the pub:
Do: Wear 7-inch shorts
From 5pm, however, it’s high time to whip out your pins! Perfecting the length is crucial: for the pub, a 7-inch short cutting on the lower thigh is smart (COS do a nice pair), while for jogging or sunbathing, a 5-inch sports short works well. We are very wary of anything knee-length, watch out for cargo shorts (Peter Phillips wore them at Badminton horse trials and looked a bit Dads abroad) and if you are Gen Z, consider jorts (baggy jean shorts).
Don’t: Be afraid of a boat shoe
Wear these instead of Loro Piana-style suede pumps, which Prince Harry has been wearing in Nigeria. Miu Miu started the trend for the preppy staple among women, and it’s time the boys set sail too.
Do: Try a short sleeve denim shirt
For a breezy update on the Hawaiian shirt (less of these for 2024, please) try an oversized, short sleeve denim shirt. Model Ebeneze Brown can show you how, and Calvin Klein’s is perfect.
Don’t: Wear anything Tommy Robinson might
As a good rule of thumb for summer months, really do avoid all signifiers of Robinson and his merry band of hooligans — certain streetwear brands with logo tags included.
For a nice weekend in the countryside:
Do: Consider dabbling in current sport-cores
Golf, rugby, tennis — you name it, it’s a core this summer. Blue Array found searches for “golf polo shirt” are up 340 per cent in the past month, while rugby shirts and Challengers-esque tennis-whites are a smash hit.
Don’t: Walk about hat-less
It’s crucial to find the perfect hat — the easy option is a Ralph Lauren colourful cap (not too pricey at £55). Avoid snapbacks, but don’t be afraid of a Panama; in Cambridge, students wear them with high waist chinos, shirt sleeves and little Fortnum & Mason picnic baskets in the summer. Dapper.
Do: Tie a jumper around your neck, like an old Sloane
It started with the street style set at fashion shows, now everyone in town or country is copying Princess Diana and wrapping cashmeres around shoulders. The easiest outfit elevator.
Don’t: Slob about in tracksuits
Unless you are in your bedroom with the curtains shut or have caught a sick bug, this summer, tracksuits are out. Lean into preppy instead.
Or a swanky rooftop restaurant and bar in London:
Do: Wear a fabulous pair of loafers
Gucci’s horsebit loafers are, of course, a perennial must-have, but Sebago, Duke + Dexter and Grenson are well liked (never opt for styles with a dupe Gucci bit on top, however).
Don’t: Ever try wearing them with invisible socks
This is fatal. If you are set on showing some ankle, ditch the socks all together, otherwise wear a long black or white sock (Uniqlo’s are great) please. “Invisible” socks simply never do what they say on the tin.
Do: Give summer blacks a go
All black for summer? Damian Hurley, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Lennon Gallagher have all done so now the weather has picked up. Massimo Dutti and COS are both good starting points on the high street.
Don’t: Go off-trend with your sunnies
Pick all-black, follow the Hollywood set with their Aperol Spritz lens shades or embrace the Olympic fever with a pair of Oakley’s.
For a picnic in the park:
Do: Chance a pearl
No, they aren’t just for Granny. TwoJeys is the Gen Z favourite, and had a collaboration with Zara this June.
Don’t: Wear trainers with holes in
Battered marathon Asics with a hole above your big toe, are an eyesore. Smart runners from On, Loewe and Hoka work well.
Do: Add a little gorp spice
The East London look is all about gorpcore (hiking clothes, essentially). Dip a toe in with a Salomon Gore-Tex shoe, or an Arc’teryx t-shirt for outdoor pursuits.
Don’t: Walk about shirtless
You can take it off while sunbathing, but topless men on Oxford Street are an absolute no-no. Think twice before running about, pecs out, like Harry Styles and Paul Mescal, too.
At a posh long-weekend wedding:
Do: Wear a colourful linen suit
Sadiq Khan rocked this look with a green two piece from London brand Percival earlier this year. Moss have seen demand for men’s linen suits surge this summer, while WAX London is a reliable, independent go-to.
Don’t: Put your faith in a white T-shirt
They do not look good under a suit. Either colour match your top, or opt for a proper shirt — remember: overdressed is the more comfortable place to be.
Do: Try a collarless shirt like the BBC’s Matthew Amroliwala
The chicest newsreader, Matthew Amroliwala, loves his collarless white shirt. Paapa Essiedu also wears them well (see: the BAFTAs).
Don’t: Forget that the breakfast outfit the morning after is just as important
Consider a knitted polo shirt, from Sandro or Sunspel. You will feel better for looking presentable, I promise.
The 10 best buys:
SALOMON, XT-6 GORE-TEX sneakers, £165, net-a-porter.com
Classic Chino Shorts, £55, cos.com
Cotton Chino Ball Cap, £55, ralphlauren.co.uk
Sand Safari Shirt, £149, suitsupply.com
The London trunks, £145, gusari.co.uk
Boat shoe in brown, £180, timberland.co.uk
Shield Barstriped Heavy Rugger, £120, gant.co.uk
Signature Pearl Necklace, £106, twojeys.com
Petit Piqué Polo Shirt, £95, lacoste.com
State side reloaded, £132, ray-ban.com
