Men can easily misinterpret summer style: should you wear shorts to the office? Can you look smart without overheating? How do you pull off a vibrant summer shirt? Here we've rounded up the do's and don'ts to help guys get through any compromising situation they might find themselves in during the warmer months: from the pub to the beach, via London Fields. (Some starters: get dressed, put on loafers, lean into preppy, and make sure you give invisible socks a hard pass).
This is how you dress on holiday:
Do: Be brave and try to match your top and pants
Don't write off coordinate for men completely. Tinie Tempah proved the sky blue Issey Miyake trousers with a matching shirt work at Maro Itoje's charity art sale, while Stormzy is a fan of the Homme Plissé shorts and shirt in forest green. Bright cotton sets with SMR Days print are great for the holidays, as are matching white linen pieces in Saint Tropez style.
Don't: Wear a cotton shirt with a paisley pattern (or otherwise printed).
Slightly tight shirts with terrible prints should be avoided abroad; looser fits are great to avoid a 'dad lost in Palma' aesthetic.
Do: Try the men's safari style
An idea from the Marylebone front line (Chiltern Firehouse): adopt a safari style. Men at a Gucci party last Sunday paired khaki shirts with staple front pockets with matching slacks and sandals. Think of YSL, Morocco, etc.
Don't: be seen in the wrong suitcases
Drawstrings are out, smart tailored trunks with button closure are the ticket. While David Cameron loves a Vilebrequin, I recommend Gusari and Orlebar Brown for the best real swimmers.
When it comes to the office:
Do: Try a light, double-breasted summer suit
Thin cotton suits? It works for work. Opt for a subtle beige, following Ed Skrein at the Rebel Moon premiere, Luca Faloni for a beautiful navy blue style, or try a pinstriped blazer paired with white jeans, as Ralph Lauren suggests.
Don't: wear flat white leather sneakers with it
Beware of the flat-footed, white leather sneaker-cum-plum soles. These look basic now. Wear loafers instead.
Do: A striped, blue and white shirt
This classic is a great choice to bring a summery freshness to your desk. If you can get away with it, a great vintage polo shirt paired with smart chinos is also a real hit.
Don't: Wear shorts of any kind
Worrying search spike this week: 'men's work shorts' up 200 percent. Let's hope they're builders (which is fine) and no one goes into an office. It is not appropriate to bare your knees in a 9 to 5.
When you are in the pub:
Do: Wear 7-inch shorts
However, from 5 p.m. it's high time to get your pins out! Perfecting the length is crucial: for the pub, shorts measuring 19cm on the lower leg are smart (COS does a nice pair), while for jogging or sunbathing, 15cm sports shorts work well. We're very wary of knee lengths, beware of cargo shorts (Peter Phillips wore them to badminton horse trials and looked a bit daddy abroad) and if you're 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 wore in Nigeria. Miu Miu started the preppy clothing trend among women, and it's time for boys to step up their game too.
Do: Try a denim shirt with short sleeves
For a breezy update to the Hawaiian shirt (less of this for 2024, please) try an oversized short-sleeved 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 the summer months, it's wise to avoid all the hallmarks of Robinson and his merry band of hooligans: certain streetwear brands with logo labels.
For a nice weekend in the countryside:
Do: Consider delving into current sports centers
Golf, rugby, tennis: you name it, it's a core theme this summer. Blue Array found that searches for 'golf polo shirts' have increased by 340 percent in the past month, while rugby shirts and Challengers-style white tennis shirts are a big hit.
Don't: walk around without a hat
Finding the perfect hat is crucial; the easy option is a colorful cap from Ralph Lauren (not too expensive at £55). Avoid snapbacks, but don't be afraid of a Panama; in Cambridge, students wear them in summer with high-waisted chinos, shirt sleeves and small picnic baskets from Fortnum & Mason. Well taken care of.
Do: Tie a sweater around your neck, like an old Sloane
It started with the street style on fashion shows, now everyone in the city or in the countryside copies Princess Diana and wraps cashmere around their shoulders. The easiest outfit lift.
Don't: stroll around in tracksuits
Unless you're in your bedroom with the curtains drawn or have caught a sick bug, tracksuits are out this summer. Choose preppy instead.
Or a chic rooftop restaurant and bar in London:
Do: Wear a fantastic pair of loafers
Gucci's horsebit loafers are of course a perennial must-have, but Sebago, Duke + Dexter and Grenson are very popular (but never choose styles with a dupe Gucci bit on them).
Don't: Ever try to wear them with invisible socks
This is fatal. If you like to show some ankle, ditch the socks altogether, otherwise wear a long black or white sock (Uniqlo's are great). 'Invisible' socks simply never do what they say on the tin.
Do: try summer black colors
All black for the summer? Damian Hurley, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Lennon Gallagher have all done so now that the weather has picked up. Massimo Dutti and COS are both good starting points on the shopping street.
Don't: be seen wearing blackout sunglasses
The Hollywood sets all match theirs with Aperol Spritzes - orange is in.
For a picnic in the park:
Do: chance to win a pearl
No, they're not just for grandma. TwoJeys is a favorite of Gen Z and has a new collaboration with Zara in June.
Don't: wear sneakers with holes in them
Battered marathon Asics with a hole above your big toe are an eyesore. Smart runners from On, Loewe and Hoka are doing well (the latter has its sights set on a trendy crowd and is throwing a dazzling London party tomorrow with boutique LN-CC).
Do: Add a little gorp seasoning
The East London look is all about gorpcore (essentially walking clothes). Dip a toe in with a Salomon Gore-Tex shoe or an Arc'teryx T-shirt for outdoor activities.
Don't: Walk around without a shirt
You can take it off while sunbathing, but topless men are absolutely not allowed on Oxford Street. Think twice before running around, pecs out, like Harry Styles and Paul Mescal too.
At a chic long weekend wedding:
Do: Wear a colorful linen suit
Sadiq Khan rocked this look with a green two-piece from London brand Percival. In the past week alone, Moss has seen demand for men's linen suits increase by 22 percent and these, alongside WAX London, are a good choice.
Don't: Rely on a white T-shirt
They don't look good under a suit. The color matches your top, or choose a good shirt. Remember: overdressed is the most comfortable place to be.
Do: Try a collarless shirt like the BBC's Matthew Amroliwala
The chicest news anchor, Matthew Amroliwala, loves his collarless white shirt. Paapa Essiedu also wears them well (see: the BAFTAs).
Don't: Forget that the breakfast outfit is just as important the next morning
Consider a knitted polo shirt from Sandro or Sunspel. You'll feel better if you look presentable, I promise.
