THE JOURNAL
Get set for warmer weather with these must-have purchases.
It’s June. You know the drill. For the next couple of months, it’s going to get hotter. Rather than sitting around and waiting for it to happen, why not spend a little time getting your wardrobe in order? Read on for the 13 things we think will make your summer a little more bearable. Well, 12 of them will. The last one is a bat and ball set, which will make it more fun.
A SEERSUCKER BLAZER
A lightweight cotton with a puckered texture that lifts the fabric away from the skin and affords a natural breeziness, seersucker has long been popular in the American Deep South, where the humid summers demand a practical approach to dressing. You might recall Mr Gregory Peck wearing a three-piece seersucker suit to play Alabama lawyer Atticus Finch in the movie adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird. That’s a tricky look to pull off, though, so probably just stick with a blazer.
A PAIR OF LEATHER SLIDES
Rubber flip-flops are all well and good for the beach or poolside, but if you want to keep your feet cool in summer while looking like a respectable grown-up, then it pays to invest in something a little more sophisticated. Enter the leather slide. Simple, elegant, comfortable – is there anything more to add? Oh, they’re all the rage this summer so there are plenty to choose from. This pair is by Bottega Veneta.
A HOLIDAY T-SHIRT
Looking for a T-shirt that just screams “holiday”? You can’t do much better than one that has the actual word printed across the chest. It’s possible to acquire one this summer courtesy of Holiday Boileau, a recently relaunched travel magazine from the 1940s. We heartily recommend that you do.
A REFRESHING SUMMER SCENT
The muggy heat of high summer accentuates whatever fragrance you’re wearing, so it’s best to opt for something light and zesty. Tom Ford Neroli Portofino is a smart choice, its top notes of Sicilian lemon, mandarin and orange flowers combining for an easy-wearing scent that won’t feel too oppressive in the middle of the day. It’s still OK to wear a heavier, more woody scent in summer, but it’s best done in the evening.
A PAIR OF SUNGLASSES
Wayfarers are popular for a reason: they’re a design classic. Sometimes, though, it’s nice to wear something a little different. Invest in a pair from Eyevan 7285, Barton Perreira, Max Pittion or, as demonstrated here, Jacques Marie Mage and enjoy a much-reduced chance of being one of 10 people wearing the same shades at your next garden party.
A CAMP-COLLAR SHIRT
Better known as a bowling shirt, the short-sleeved, camp-collar shirt has become something of a summer staple over the past few years, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a wonderfully versatile garment, especially in navy blue. Throw it on over a T-shirt, wear it with shorts, wear it on the beach.
A PANAMA HAT
The Panama hat is well-known for its ability to imbue the wearer with an air of sophistication. But did you know that it’s originally from Ecuador, not Panama? You can tell people this when they say “I like your Panama hat”. (The one pictured here is actually made in Italy by Borsalino, but don’t let that get in the way of a good story.)
A SEVENTIES-STYLE STRIPED T-SHIRT
T-shirts are your best friend in summer and you should aim to have lots of them. Don’t just plump for any old tees, though. This striped number from Arpenteur, a French brand named after a character from a Moebius comic (how’s that for Gallic cool points?), just oozes retro appeal. It feels like a T-shirt you might have already worn, decades ago, on a beach somewhere in Brittany.
A PAIR OF EYE-POPPING SWIM SHORTS
A trip to the beach during high summer is a rare opportunity to get away with colours that would otherwise be frowned upon. Look at these bubblegum-pink swim shorts from Stüssy. They’re just so audacious. They’re daring you to wear them.
SUNCREAM
It’s nice to have a bit of a tan, but don’t be silly and damage your skin (or worse). Protect your face from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays with a good-quality, high-SPF face cream, such as Sisley – Paris Super Soin Solaire Facial Youth Protector SPF50+. Your older self will thank you.
A SUBTLE HAWAIIAN SHIRT
We do stress subtle, because it’s all too easy to look like Ace Ventura when wearing a Hawaiian shirt. Stick to pastel shades and you should be OK. This shirt, from cult streetwear label Flagstuff, fits the bill rather well. You might not think a shirt adorned with blue hawks mid-flight qualifies as subtle, but there you are.
A PAIR OF CHINO SHORTS
Every guy needs a pair of can’t-go-wrong shorts. This season, break with recent convention and opt for a slightly roomier silhouette. This pair, from AMI, is tailored generously and finished with a crisp pleat. A timely antidote to the worrying mass-market trend for elastane-rich shorts. Eurgh.
A BAT AND BALL SET FROM FRESCOBOL CARIOCA
We know, we know. It’s £150 for a wooden bat and ball set, but just trust us on this one. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll never go back.
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