There’s nothing quite like sunglasses for adding the finishing touch to an outfit. But with so many styles to choose from, finding the pair that’s right for you can seem like an impossibly daunting task. It’s not just the practical concerns you have to keep in mind, such as how well they’ll protect your eyes from the sun or how they’ll complement the shape of your face. (We have some thoughts on the latter, if you’re wondering.) You also have to consider what they will say about you. That’s because sunglasses are a uniquely potent style statement, capable of lending an air of mystique, adding a dash of personality or just making you look cooler and more attractive. As such, they’re closely tied up with notions of identity and self-image – far more so than, say, a pair of socks. We’re here to help you up your frame game by arming you with all you need to know about sunglasses, from the most common frame shapes to the technical jargon you’re likely to encounter on your quest for the perfect pair.

In menswear, whether or not you can wear shorts past a certain age is a hotly debated topic. The late fashion designer Sir Hardy Amies said that a man should “never wear shorts except actually on the beach or on a walking tour”. Some are still in this camp, believing that shorts should be left in the school playground and exist in a grown-man’s wardrobe exclusively for gym sessions or running marathons. Others – thankfully, most – are of the opinion that shorts can be worn at any age. And at any length. Here at MR PORTER, we firmly fly the flag for the latter. Just look at stylish guys such as Pedro Pascal, who wore Valentino Garavani shorts to the Met Gala, or Jacob Elordi, Donald Glover and Harry Styles who have been papped running errands and revelling at Glastonbury in their very-short shorts. For Londoners, it’s more surprising to spot Paul Mescal in anything else off-duty.

Almost all men’s clothing can be separated into two categories: things you want and things you need. Underwear, you need. Crew-neck T-shirts and cotton sweats, you need. But a burgundy mohair blazer by TOM FORD or a pair of pale suede boat shoes from LOEWE? Those you want. And that counts, too. The trick is to build a wardrobe of pieces that somehow sits in the middle of the two camps – clothes that cover the bases, but offer that little something extra. So, as summer arrives, here are 10 elite essentials to take things up a notch.

As any menswear fan worth his salt knows, summer in the city is tough to dress for. It’s hot, it’s sweaty and the options for clothes that serve form and function drastically decrease. So, what to do? According to the model and menswear expert Richard Biedul, buying menswear in summer is a minefield. “[The sudden change in weather] results in men, who are notoriously loyal shoppers, making spontaneous purchases they instantly regret, because it was something ‘fun for summer’,” he says. To build a seasonal wardrobe you’ll actually keep wearing, then, here are a few pretty effortless suggestions.

There’s nothing quite like sunglasses for adding the finishing touch to an outfit. But with so many styles to choose from, finding the pair that’s right for you can seem like an impossibly daunting task. It’s not just the practical concerns you have to keep in mind, such as how well they’ll protect your eyes from the sun or how they’ll complement the shape of your face. (We have some thoughts on the latter, if you’re wondering.) You also have to consider what they will say about you. That’s because sunglasses are a uniquely potent style statement, capable of lending an air of mystique, adding a dash of personality or just making you look cooler and more attractive. As such, they’re closely tied up with notions of identity and self-image – far more so than, say, a pair of socks. We’re here to help you up your frame game by arming you with all you need to know about sunglasses, from the most common frame shapes to the technical jargon you’re likely to encounter on your quest for the perfect pair.

In menswear, whether or not you can wear shorts past a certain age is a hotly debated topic. The late fashion designer Sir Hardy Amies said that a man should “never wear shorts except actually on the beach or on a walking tour”. Some are still in this camp, believing that shorts should be left in the school playground and exist in a grown-man’s wardrobe exclusively for gym sessions or running marathons. Others – thankfully, most – are of the opinion that shorts can be worn at any age. And at any length. Here at MR PORTER, we firmly fly the flag for the latter. Just look at stylish guys such as Pedro Pascal, who wore Valentino Garavani shorts to the Met Gala, or Jacob Elordi, Donald Glover and Harry Styles who have been papped running errands and revelling at Glastonbury in their very-short shorts. For Londoners, it’s more surprising to spot Paul Mescal in anything else off-duty.