Easy to dress for frigid weather. Footwear choices are limitless, textures are bountiful, and the possibility of layering provides an additional sartorial dimension.
In contrast, preparing for the summer can be more difficult. The rising temperature brings with it many wonderful things, including barbecues, beer gardens, and tanned skin, to name a few, but it also significantly reduces wardrobe options.
Priority number one is maintaining one’s calm, but appearing nice is a close second. Fortunately, there are a few tried-and-true warm-weather ensembles that satisfy both criteria. Mastering these essential summer outfits will prevent you from ever falling into a style stagnation.
From confronting the workplace during a heatwave to selecting the ideal bridal guest attire, here is Ape’s definitive summer ensemble hit list.
Breton And Chinos.
France has contributed significantly to fashion, but the Breton top is one of its most enduring and versatile contributions. This patterned pullover, which was first introduced as a uniform for the French Navy in 1858, is now a wardrobe essential.
Available in both short- and long-sleeved styles, the Breton provides a subdued opportunity to experiment with designs. Keep accompanying garments basic and understated: a pair of cuffed navy chino trousers, worn with either minimal leather trainers or Derby shoes, will always be a suitable companion.
Office Warming
When temperatures rise, the workplace is not always the most accommodating environment to find oneself in closest to the workplace. Nevertheless, a few seasonal wardrobe adjustments can make summer in the office somewhat more tolerable.
The first tenet is to eliminate all surplus items. Start with the tie and belt to instantaneously lighten things up. Next, consider the fabric; abandon weighty winter fabrics such as wool and Oxford cloth in lieu of linen and poplin. You could even request that the rear panel of a custom-made garment be made from voile fabric to make it even more breathable.
Complement your ensemble with suede Derbies and your preferred sunglasses.
Shorts And Shirt
Even though shorts will never be part of the black-tie uniform, it would be irresponsible to state that they cannot be dressed up. As long as you don’t wear it to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, shorts and a shirt will suffice for the overwhelming majority of sophisticated casual summer situations.
A pair of premium trainers is an excellent starting point – opt for a slip-on silhouette for added style points. Next, choose a pair of tailored or chino shorts in a muted hue (beige and navy are both dependable choices). Finally, add a garment that fits well. This can either be solid pastel hues or discreetly printed. Vertical stripes are svelte and fashionable.
Summer Wedding Suit Separates
The notion of spending the entire day in the stifling heat while wearing a dark three-piece suit is enough to make anyone sweat profusely. Enter, garment disassembles.
Contrasting your top and bottom when attending a wedding allows you to experiment with colour more freely. Here, a cream jacket helps to deflect some of the heat, while a navy trouser keeps things grounded. A classic and successful combination.
Layering for Winter
Combine a dress blouse and a casual t-shirt by layering them together. This combination is ideal for warm summer weekends and beyond, especially when the shirt is of the short-sleeved variety and the T-shirt is made of fresh, straightforward white cotton.
To complete the appearance, keep the remainder of your attire casual and unfussy. Jeans are an appropriate option for legwear. Consider stonewash denim for a laid-back vibe or raw denim for something a bit more edgy. Regardless of the outfit you choose, complete it with a pair of white trainers and don’t be hesitant to display some ankle.
Get Wrapped
Looking for a simple remedy to elevate your appearance from pedestrian to Parisian? A basic t-shirt pulled in is sufficient. Tucking T-shirts into trousers was once the domain of middle-aged men, but there is now a new climate, both in terms of design and temperature.
To carry it off, make sure your T-shirt fits perfectly. Arm creases should rest perfectly at the shoulders, and the hem should end just above the hips. After this is accomplished, consider your legwear. Tailored trousers can be effective, particularly if they are ankle-length. Replace them with denim or chinos for more casual situations.
Beach Bar
Why should only Richard Branson have fun? Excluding the linen shirt from your summer wardrobe rotation would be a severe fashion faux pas, despite its association with ageing hippies.
The key to achieving this beachy appearance is in the bottoms. Contrary to the CEO of the company, you should wear tailored leisure shorts instead of coordinating trousers. They are stylish, functional and can transport you directly from the shore to the bar, radiating Riviera elegance the entire way. Complete your ensemble with some leather sandals, and you’re ready to go.
Summer Business Casual outfit
Summer dressing is not synonymous with sloppiness. Contrary to conventional belief, it is possible to simultaneously appear put together and seasonally appropriate.
Investing in a pair of high-quality summer shoes is a wise choice. A suede loafer is always an excellent choice, so long as it is paired with no-show hosiery and cropped pants. In that regard, this is an ideal opportunity to wear white trousers or chinos.
Choose a garment with a contrasting colour and drape it over a polo shirt, high-quality T-shirt, or something similar.
Fresh Prints outfit
Winter may offer a wider selection of garments, but summer has the upper hand when it comes to designs and patterns. Printed shirts are a must-have during balmy weather, especially if you want to make an impression.
Utilise it as a statement piece while keeping the rest of your outfit simple and understated. Chinos are the perfect base for a patterned button-down shirt. Go for a classic, subdued hue such as beige or green (matching them to a base colour in the shirt to bring everything together) and cuffing them to give your ankles a little air.
