Along with the heat, summer provides the opportunity to embrace the more casual side of classic menswear. Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean you can’t still dress well! At the same time, there are ways to look stylish without overheating, and we’ve got a list of 7 must-have accessories that will help you to accomplish this goal. Due to the heat and sunshine, tweed and wool will give way for linen and fresco fabrics, as they’re just more breezy and feel cooler when you wear them. Of course, investing in a full-fledged summer suit can set you back several hundreds or thousands of dollars, so the easiest, quickest, and most inexpensive way to up your summer style is to add accessories.
1. Fabric Belt
Our first pick today might surprise you, because it’s usually not top-of-mind for most men: a woven or fabric belt. It’s one of the most casual belt options out there and because of that, they really suit summer’s relaxed, casual vibe. Woven leather or fabric belts are the best companion for your boat shoes, your shorts, your seersuckers, and any other summer garment out there. Of course, the classic rule is to always match the color of your belt to your shoes, but during summer, you can be a little more creative; maybe wear something like a madras belt, which is very contrasting but suits the outfit, makes it more casual, and is very summery. The contrast is intended, and if you don’t want to wear colorful belts to the office, just go with a simple woven leather belt. Alternatively, you can find a stiff fabric belt that has kind of a woven, tie-like material put on top, or something like a neeedlepoint belt. All of these options are a little more preppy, sometimes they have the emblem of a club or little anchors for a more nautical themed look. Personally, we think it’s a great way to personalize your outfit in a subtle way that doesn’t go overboard.
2. Anything Linen
Linen is a classic summer fabric. Why? Because it has an open weave, it wrinkles in a casual way, and the fibers themselves are a little bit irregular making it all more casual, and therefore, well suited for summer. On top of that, it’s often lightweight and the more you wear it and wash it, the softer it gets–so it’s super comfortable. Some may argue that it looks a bit unkempt, yet the wrinkling is part of the fabric and it’s a desired side-effect–unlike, let’s say, with cotton or wool suits. Of course, linen comes in different weights and weaves but for summer, you want something that has a lightweight, open weave so you can feel every breeze. First of all, consider linen or linen blends for your neckties or bow ties. Linen ties often have a white warp or weft color that’s combined with a different color. Because of that, you get a light, summery color tone rather than something dark which would be better suited for the colder months of the year. Soft pastel colors such as orange, pink, olive green, or sky blue are perfect tie colors. You frame those ties with a lighter-colored jacket and shirt, and they fit right in–whereas during the winter, they will just stand out too much. Of course, if it’sreally hot, you can skip the neckwear and go with a linen pocket square. It just takes 10 seconds to fold one, yet it really upgrades your entire look. The all-time classic is the white linen pocket square. Of course, the edges should always be handrolled so you can fold a crown or something else that reveals that this is a piece of art made by a true artisan. While the white linen pocket square is extremely versatile (it can work with a business suit, for black-tie, or with a summer ensemble), it’s really fun to add a bit of color to your linen pocket squares, as well. For example, if you have a blue and white striped shirt, consider wearing it with a white linen pocket square that has a blue contrasting X-stitch, so that you pick up the colors of the shirt in the pocket square and it’s all harmonious. Alternatively, you could have a white pocket square with blue hand-embroidered polka dots, or maybe you want to coordinate the pocket square with something else in your outfit. So light pastel colors in blue, red, or yellow are fantastic because they’re very summery. Again, just like with the ties, if you have a warp and a weft with one color in white and the other in a different brighter color, it results in a three-dimensional color depth which is very summery and ideal for the warm months of the year. Of course, you can also wear a summery silk pocket square, maybe in white and bolder lighter colors, or perhaps a silk-blend pocket square in an orange color that works well.
3. Knit Ties
Knit ties are, hands-down the best way to add texture to your summer outfit. Unlike other tie materials, such as woven or printed silk or linen, the knitted silk is usually something you can only find in menswear, and it’s very structured and different. If you specifically want to invest in one or two ties for summer, we’d suggest that you make them knit ties and nothing else. Why? As was the case with belts, the open structure is just more casual, more breathable, and responsible for adding dimension and depth to your outfit. That’s especially true if, rather than wearing a solid knit tie, you opt for a mottled one with different color tones. Frankly, any variety of knit tie is great: solid, two-tone, mottled, striped, they all look fantastic.
4. Bow Ties
Unlike standard neckties, bow ties cover less of your chest, and therefore wear cooler than a necktie. Of course, it goes without saying that you should tie a bow tie yourself, in a slightly asymmetrical way. This asymmetry is desired, and gives your summery outfit a casual yet refined look. After all, there is a reason why bowties are so popular for events like the Kentucky Derby. Rather than going with bold shades in pink or neon green, maybe turn it down a notch and go with lighter colors, such as buff. Alternatively, go with a more summery fabric such as a shantung, which has silk knobs, is soft and textured, and is perfect for summer. Playful polka dots or micropatterns are fine, as well. Just keep in mind that if you have a beard or some kind of a stubble, it will naturally pull some threads from the silk. If you wear facial hair, we’d suggest that you go with a very finely woven or printed fabric, not woven jacquards, shantungs, or grenadines because they pull the threads more easily. If you have threads, just cut them off–it’s just part of the charm of the bowtie, especially if you have facial hair.
5. Boutonniere
Having a boutonniere is one of the best ways to earn compliments, simply because they’re so different; people usually don’t wear them and even 99.99% of all florists out there don’t know how to make a proper boutonniere anymore. Yes, florists will make them for weddings, but the result is often more of a mini-bouquet and just oversized. If you can find a nice, summery flower and have it prepared as a boutonniere, wear it! However, natural flowers aren’t without their problems; sometimes they may contain pollen, or they may stand up too straight through the buttonhole. Moreover, when it’s really hot, they will likely wilt and look pathetic at the end of the day.
6. Panama Hat
Fun fact, the first article I ever wrote for the Gentleman’s Gazette was about the Panama hat. Despite its name, this style of hat is actually from Ecuador; they are still woven there today, using many of the same traditional processes. Nowhere else in the world can you find a hat that is woven with such finesse. Most panama hats come with a black hatband and a leather sweatband on the inside. We recommend that you substitute the leather sweatband with one made from fabric, in order to perspire less. For an aesthetic change, swap the outside band to a different color. Tobacco brown can be nice if you wear a lot of brown shoes, for example. You could also opt for a dark green, or even a pattern that is to your liking. It really changes the look of the entire hat, and it’s a lot more fun during summer. If you already have a Panama hat and you like wearing hats, consider getting a straw pork pie hat. Often, they’re made from dyed or dark brown coconut straw, and they usually have a colorful hatband. Straw pork pies were extremely popular during the 1950s and ’60s with people like Frank Sinatra or Bing Crosby. A pork pie is a much more stylish option than the stingy-brimmed trilbies you’ll find at Target, as well. If you’re really into the 1920s and ’30s, maybe you could even pull off a boater hat!
7. Sunglasses
We’ve saved our favorite summer accessory for last: a good pair of classically styled sunglasses. Of course, sunglasses are a given in the summer, but it can be tricky to choose the right model for a classically styled wardrobe that’s not boring or run-of-the-mill. With the strong heat and sunlight, you may find that dark frames in black or a dark tortoiseshell can be just too dark, and don’t fit in with the lighter color scheme of summer outfits. With any (or all!) of these 7 suggestions, not only will you be able to stay physically cooler in the heat of summer, but you’ll look cool as well. And after all, what could be better than hitting the mantra of “look good, feel good” on both counts? Visit Elwood101 for the best looks, trends, inspiration, and shopping picks for your summer style. Get yourself into the right gear! source: gentlemansgazette.com
