Heat and the occasion decide which of these outfits is yours: fitted flat front shorts suit a weekend lunch, while a short-sleeve button-down, a lightweight blazer or a double-breasted summer suit suits an office day or a summer wedding.
The list runs from a knit polo with white linen trousers to an off-white double-breasted suit, and nearly all of it comes down to cloth that lets air through, like linen, seersucker and open weave cotton.
Dark colors like black and charcoal hold heat in the sun, so they work better after sunset than at a noon patio lunch.
1. The Polo That Fits
A knit polo in navy is the easiest way to look put together in heat.
Paired with white trousers in a cotton twill or a linen blend, it reads as dressed, and I’d accept a few creases as the price of a light fabric in July.
Fit decides everything here.
The collar should sit flat against the neck, and the body should skim your torso without clinging. The sleeves should end mid-bicep and hug it lightly.
I prefer a knit over piqué for evenings, since the softer drape looks closer to a dress shirt. Tuck it in with the trousers for a cleaner line.
2. Some Kind of Loafer
Brown suede loafers do more for a summer outfit than almost any other shoe, mostly because suede looks relaxed but still reads as a proper shoe.
Wear them with beige or white trousers and a linen shirt, and the whole look stays in one warm color family.
Go sockless or wear no-show socks, so the ankle stays bare and the outfit stays light.
Suede does not love rain or spilled coffee, so I keep a suede brush handy and skip them on wet days. A plain leather loafer is the safer pick for those.
3. The Linen Shirt
White linen buttoned up, sleeves long, worn over dark loose-fit jeans: that is a summer shirt doing its job. Long sleeves also keep the sun off your arms.
Linen breathes, so it suits hot days better than cotton poplin.
It will wrinkle, and I say let it. The creases are part of the appeal, though a quick steam before you leave keeps them from looking sloppy.
Roll the cuffs 2 turns up the forearm, leave the top button open, and untucked is fine if the hem ends near the belt line.
4. Summer Wedding Attire
An off-white double-breasted suit is a bold way to handle a summer wedding, and the pale color helps with the heat by reflecting sun instead of soaking it up.
Choose an unlined or half-lined jacket if you can, since less fabric means less sweat.
Brown leather loafers keep the look relaxed enough for an outdoor reception. A dark shirt gives strong contrast, though a lighter one is the safer call for a formal ceremony.
Check the invitation first: if it says black tie, wear something darker and more traditional.
5. Fitted Flat Front Shorts
Flat-front shorts in olive are the cleanest alternative to baggy cargo styles. With no pleats, the waist lies smooth and the shape stays trim.
Pick a pair that ends just above the knee, and avoid anything that bunches at the thigh.
I would pair them with leather sandals or clean low-profile sneakers, and keep a belt on. Shorts this fitted look best on a day outside, not in an office.
6. Short-Sleeve Button-Downs
Worn open over a white tee, a light blue short-sleeve shirt behaves like a very light jacket. That layering gives you a smart casual outfit without the weight of long sleeves.
The shirt should end around mid-fly, because a longer hem looks like a smock when left open.
Buttoned up, the same shirt works with chinos for a more traditional look. I like it open on a warm evening, but for a real office day I would button it.
7. Lightweight Blazers
An unstructured blazer has no padding or stiff lining, so it hangs like a light shirt jacket. That is why it stays cool and still looks sharp.
Light gray in a textured weave over all-black underneath gives you contrast without any pattern to manage. I like it with the shirt buttoned and no tie.
Because the shoulder has no padding, fit there matters most: the seam should land at the edge of your shoulder bone. Sleeves can run a little relaxed, but the body should not swing loose.
8. Casual Scarf Accent
A patterned scarf knotted at the neck is the one accent that makes a plain white tee look chosen.
Let the scarf carry the print and hold the rest to dark trousers and a solid cap, with no other pattern in sight.
Tie it small and snug, so it sits like a neckerchief and not a costume. I would pick a scarf with a busy pattern in two or three colors, one of which echoes the cap.
This is a weekend look, best for a walk or a patio lunch. For the office, skip it.
9. Striped Shirt with White Trousers
Blue stripes against white trousers is a clean, cool pairing, and a long-sleeved shirt keeps the sun off your arms. Pleated, higher-rise white trousers add a tailored line that shorts cannot.
Match the leather: a brown belt and a brown pouch or shoes should be close in tone.
I like the shirt worn open over a plain tee on a warm day, and buttoned with sleeves rolled when I want it sharper.
White trousers show everything, so check the fabric is thick enough that it does not look see-through. A pocket lining that matches the cloth helps.
10. Double-Breasted Summer Suit
Cream linen cut as a double-breasted suit is about as relaxed as a suit gets. Worn with a knit polo instead of a dress shirt and tie, it stays easy and still looks like you made an effort.
Keep the jacket buttoned when you stand, and on a double-breasted cut I’d leave it fastened when you sit too, since the extra fabric tends to bunch once it’s open.
Keep the polo collar flat and the color a shade darker or lighter than the suit, so the two do not blur together.
Linen will crease, and I think that suits the look. For a formal event, though, a dress shirt is the better call.
Choosing Fabrics
Seersucker and open weave cotton belong next to linen in a summer closet. All three keep the cloth off your skin or let air move through it, which is what actually keeps you cool.
Light that shows through the weave means air will move through it too, so that shirt will breathe. A dense, opaque cloth will trap heat, and I would leave it on the rack.
Heavy denim and thick flannel are the fabrics to leave at home from June on. Wrinkles come with linen, and I wouldn’t fight them early; wait until they set into real creases, then run a steamer over it.
Muted neutrals in these fabrics also stand out more than bright, flashy colors, and they tone down the preppy feel if that bothers you.
The secret, as with most of men’s style, is in the details. The following 15 men’s summer fashion items can be mixed and matched in endless combinations ensuring your sartorial skill doesn’t take a 4 month summer at the beach.
Color Choices
Black and charcoal act like solar heaters on a sunny day. They soak up the sun’s energy and hand it to you as heat.
If you own one dark piece you love, keep it for the evening and put the lighter shade closest to the sun, on top and in the trousers.
Footwear Tips
Feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body, which is why heavy leather boots hold heat where you can least spare it. Loafers or canvas shoes let them breathe.
I would keep boots in the closet until fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should men wear in summer?
Stick to light, breathable cloth such as linen, seersucker and open weave cotton, in pale neutrals.
A knit polo in navy with white linen trousers is an easy start, and suede loafers worn sockless finish it. Fabric that lets air move through the weave keeps you cooler than anything dense or dark.
How to dress for a summer wedding?
A half-lined or unlined jacket in off-white or light tan, ideally in a double-breasted cut, handles a summer ceremony without cooking you. The light shade reflects sun, and less fabric means less sweat.
What colors should men avoid wearing in summer?
Skip black and charcoal in direct sun, since they soak up the sun’s energy and pass it to you as heat.
If you love one dark piece, save it for the evening. Put lighter shades on top and in the trousers, closest to the sun.
Is linen okay for summer if it wrinkles?
Yes.
Linen breathes better than cotton poplin on a hot day, and I’d argue the wrinkles are part of why people like it. At a formal event, a crisp dress shirt under a linen suit keeps the outfit dressed up.
