Men’s fashion can be a little difficult to pin down sometimes, especially during the free-for-all that is summer. It is, however, possible to still look decent when the warm weather urges you to bring out the sleeveless tees and cut-off shorts.
Throw away the tank tops and sleeveless tees and try something like a linen button-up shirt. It’s made of a light fabric that will keep you cool, and it’s versatile and classic enough that you can wear it for a night on the town or pair it up with a graphic tee and plaid shorts for a more casual look. The Gap has a great white linen shirt at an affordable price that is sure to diversify any wardrobe with its limitless pairing choices.
As far as shorts go, anything with “cargo” in the name is best to avoid this season. Instead, go with something with a simple, cleaner look like chino shorts. They have a better fit and are going to be much more flattering than those bulky cargo shorts. And if you get a color like dark gray, they can be paired with almost anything.
Plaid shorts are big again this summer, but be careful that you don’t overdo it with crazy colors or patterns.
Both the Gap and Urban Outfitters have a good selection of shorts that will give your summer outfit a cleaner look.
For those chilly summer nights, you need a good jacket. DKNY has a great off-white jacket with a vibrant green lining that provides plenty of color and coverage for a summer evening. Pair it with a V-neck tee underneath for a simple, yet effective, ensemble. Simplicity is really the key to pulling off a jacket in summer. Stay away from neon windbreakers or heavy hoodie sweatshirts.
If you really must have a sweatshirt, go with something thinner and lighter than the heavy cotton you usually find in hoodies.
Need to dress up? You don’t have to be stuck in a dark, hot suit during the sunny months. Lighter colors like tan and off-white won’t soak up the heat like a black suit would, and they’ll look more in place with the bright colors everyone else is wearing. DKNY has a tan cotton stretch suit that achieves the perfect office look for summer, and the cotton means that it won’t be too hot. And for a retro touch, incorporate a skinny tie into your suit – but keep it simple with a basic color like black.
When you get tired of wearing flip-flops around everywhere, slip-on shoes are the must-have for guys this season. Converse, Lacoste and Gap all have a plethora of slip-ons to choose from in a variety of colors and patterns. Have fun with your shoes, but remember that simplicity is often better than loud patterns.