Summer is finally here, and that means now is the time to reassess your wardrobe and give yourself a summer style upgrade. Each season has its own fashion hallmarks, and it is important that you embrace these in order to ensure your style is appropriate and on trend. Summer is the time to embrace lighter colours, light weight fabrics and bold patterns. It’s the time to make the most of the sunshine and inject some much-needed fun and whimsy into your wardrobe. With that in mind, here are our top summer fashion tips for men that want to look great all season long:
Invest in a Lightweight Suit
Regardless of the temperatures outside, it’s likely that you’ll still need to wear a suit this summer for work, weddings, and other summer events and occasions. Suits tend to be heavy and aren’t necessarily well suited to hot summer days. However, if wearing a suit is a necessity for you then invest in one in a lightweight, breathable fabric: wool and linen are great choices. You might also want to consider wearing the latest accessories for men in 2024, and switching up your traditional black suit for one in a lighter and more summery shade: beige, cream and pale grey are all great choices. Not only will a lightweight suit keep you feeling comfortable, it will also look much more chic when the sun is shining.
Ditch the Socks
Wearing shoes and loafers without socks is a relatively modern trend, but it is one that is showing no sign of abating. Socks have gone from being a wardrobe essential to an item that is largely optional, particularly during the summer months. It doesn’t matter whether you’re wearing a suit, jeans, or your favourite shorts: this is the season to flash a little ankle! Ditch the socks, roll of your trouser legs, and enjoy the cool summer breeze.
Embrace Short Hair
Shorter hair styles are perfect for summer. They look non-nonsense, are easy to keep in shape when you’re swimming or spending time on the beach every day, and are the perfect way to show off your killer bone structure. If you have thinning or balding hair then why not consider investing in a hairpiece instead? Toupees for men are no longer a taboo subject, and they no longer look like you’re wearing a dead hamster on your head either! Modern wig technologies have evolved to such as extent that they now look and feel just like your own hair. Lightweight, colour blended, and perfectly in sync. No one would ever know you were wearing it, unless you chose to tell them!
Buy a Waterproof Watch
Every discerning gentleman knows that no outfit would be complete without a high-end watch on your wrist. But only an idiot would wear that same high-end watch for a day at the beach! If you enjoy lots of outdoor pursuits during the summer months (such as sailing, surfing, and sightseeing) then it would be wise to invest in an inexpensive waterproof watch. There are a wide range of really attractive ones on the market, but the price point is low enough that you wouldn’t be left broken hearted if the watch became broken or damaged.
Get Ahead, Get a Hat
It is vitally important to protect your skin, and particularly the delicate skin on your face and head, from the harmful UVA and UVB rays in the sun. Before you head out into the sun (whether you intend to be outside for an hour or for the full day) it is important to apply a high factor, protective sun screen. However the best way to protect your skin from the sun is to cover it; this is where a hat comes into play. We love the look of a chic straw trilby or boater during the summer months. But whether you choose a straw hat or a baseball cap, a well-fitting hat is a vital piece of summer kit that every man should own.
Invest in Aviators
When it comes to accessories, the arrival of summer means just one thing: time to break out the sunglasses. This seasons hottest sunglasses trend for men is the sleek and chic metal framed aviator; think Tom Cruise in Top Gun and you won’t go too far wrong. These versatile sunglasses will suit any face shape, and are an investment piece that will never go out of style. We love Ray Bans aviators, which are durable and wonderfully high quality.
Invest in Espadrilles
Looking for a lightweight shoe for the beach and not sure which one to choose? We recommend espadrilles, which are much more stylish and more comfortable than traditional flip flops. These lightweight shoes with a basket woven sole were made for wearing on the beach, but they also don’t look out of place in the city (where you don’t have to worry about any dirt and debris making its way between your toes).
Pick a Printed Shirt
Summer is the time to be bold with your fashion choices, particularly when it comes to the kind of shirt you choose. Leave the boring plain shirts on the shelf and opt for a bold printed shirt instead. Hawaiian and floral prints are incredibly popular but we also love this seasons new drop of bold tropical prints; think palm trees, flamingos and tropical fruits (such as pineapples) scatters over beautifully bright backgrounds. These aren’t shirts for the shy and retiring, but they certainly do scream summer.
Rip Your Jeans
This might not be a new trend, but ripped denim definitely isn’t going anywhere! Whether you like a skinny jean or a looser straight legged version, this season’s jeans should be in the palest stone wash blue (think about the colour of jeans from the 1980s for inspiration) and features rips in either the knees, thighs, or both. Light jeans are perfect for daytime in the summer and also look great paired with a simple white shirt for a low-key holiday evening look.
Add a Beaded Bracelet
Jewellery for men is back in vogue with a vengeance this season. This can be a tricky trend to pull off, particularly if you tend to stick to a classic, low key sense of style. However the easiest way to wear jewellery that is perfect for summer is to add a beaded bracelet (or if you’re feeling brave then a stack of beaded bracelets) to your wrist. This is a wonderfully bohemian look that is ideal for adding a touch of youth to your off-duty summertime looks. If you’re looking for an outfit for a festival, adding bracelets is a perfect choice.
Wear a Denim Shirt
Don’t forget that you still live in the UK, so it is unlikely to stay warm and sunny all summer long. When it’s time to throw on a cover up, leave your jacket in your wardrobe and opt for a low-key denim shirt instead. This will keep you protected against cooler summer evenings whilst creating a figure flattering and fashion forward layered effect. Wear over a black or white tee for a style that is timeless and versatile, whilst still keeping an on trend feel.
Pastel Your Trainers
Finally, if you’re dedicated to your trainers and can’t bear the thought of parting with them no matter what the weather then why not give them a new season upgrade instead? Pastel trainers in shades of pink, blue and lavender are bang on trend this season, and are a great way to inject a low key and youthful feel into any outfit. These will look great paired with the pale blue denim we discussed early or with a pair of ultra-light white chino shorts if you prefer something a little more statement making and summery.