Men's summer style guide: shorts, sunglasses and sandals to ensure you look smart by the sea

Cue the OOO and pray for a flight that actually takes off — but before you take the first dip in the Med this summer, consider a few small investments to amp up your beach chic. A little goes a long way: here are the bits to consider buying now. 

The sunglasses 

The Italian pick this summer are Olympic cycling shades. For an easier look, lean into classic, all-black. Cubitts’ Panton style are a great contender, as are options from Jimmy Fairly, Oliver Peoples and bloobloom. Don’t forget top designer shades elevate any outfit; subtle, dark pairs from Ferragamo, Celine or Prada are a trusty crutch. 

(Cubitts)

Panton sunglasses, £150, cubitts.com

The towel 

Packing a proper beach towel is a commitment, space-wise, but never one to regret. Gant’s offering (currently half price at £25) is fantastic quality. Tekla is the cool, east Londoner choice. You can never go wrong with the M&S striped, “sand-resistant” pure cotton options at £8.75, though. 

(Gant)

Striped towel, £25, gant.co.uk

The trunks 

A gaggle of fresh labels have smart, tailored trunks. Gusari, CHÉ Studios, Frescobol Carioca, Abtany, Orlebar Brown and Love Brand & Co all offer similar cuts in great prints (but they often cost over £100). Colmar, Selected Homme at John Lewis and Massimo Dutti have cheaper options. Avoid drawstrings. 

(Gusari)

The Deia trunks, £87.50, gusari.co.uk

The beach shirt 

The goal is the most tablecloth-adjacent shirt possible: linen, lace, embroidery — more is more. Pikol Clothing is the London brand selling one-of-a-kind shirts repurposed from vintage tablecloths, or go halfway with another trusty, London menswear brand, Wax (7, £87.50). BODE is the New York label dominating the upcycled linen shirt market, but be sure to shop them on eBay — or you won’t be able to afford a beer on the beach.

(Wax London)

Didcot Shirt, £87.50, waxlondon.com

The cooler 

BYOB in style by splashing on the water cooler. Veuve Clicquot's nifty ‘Cliquot Cooler’ is leader of the pack, available in their trademark yellow or blush rosé. These are the A-list favourite; prepare for photos of celebs holding them like handbags at Wilderness festival this weekend. You cannot disagree with Polarbox’s Retro Classic, at £34, either. 

(Veuve Clicquot)

Clicquot Cooler, £65, johnlewis.com

The sun cream 

Vital for maintaining beach dignity — looking like Dali’s lobster is not only dangerous, but desperately uncool. New York founded MALIN+GOETZ have a Scandi-style sun range, or commit to the classic La Roche-Posay. 

(MALIN+GOETZ)

SPF 30 sun cream, £34, malinandgoetz.co.uk

The sandal 

Being the flip-flopper who flicks sand into everyone’s eyes is tiresome. Instead, try Ancient Greek Sandal, handmade in Crete. Smooth, simple black pairs can also be found at Vinny’s, Vagabond and Grenson. 

(ancient greek sandals)

Casey M sandals, £143.50, ancient-greek-sandals.com

The necklace 

The final touch: a gold pendant. Ferrat, based in London and the Cote D’Azur, is the hottest provider for fantastic quality at reasonable prices — their signature Roma necklace, finished in 18ct Gold Vermeil, is £78. Coins-cum-medallions, from Alighieri or a European market, will do nicely too.

(Ferrat)

Gold Roma Necklace, £78, ferrat.co.uk