Invest in light fabrics and sleek cuts for the coming months.

As the mercury begins to rise, so do our shirt cuffs and trouser hems. Inch by inch, they reveal a little more of our sun-starved skin. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all just put on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt whenever it gets hot? Perhaps. However, certain social occasions (whether weddings, engagement parties or formal lunches) often require something a little more put-together and altogether smarter. And not everyone feels comfortable looking as if they’re about to embark on a yogi-bohemian sabbatical.

Sweltering summer heat can often bring out our worst sartorial decisions. But it’s easy to get summer style right if you follow a few simple guidelines and check out some of the items that have just arrived on MR PORTER.

Fabrics should be light and breathable: cotton, linen and silks, or mixes of those, rather than wool or synthetic fibres. Clothes should fit properly (and, where necessary, altered so that they do). It’d be wise to invest in an unlined – preferably linen – blazer too; with no interface (the stuff that sits inside your suit jacket) and no shoulder pads, ie. something that feels more like a shirt.

In winter, we tend to gravitate to darker colours: navy, black and grey. Yet in the summer, these colours absorb heat, so it’s best to avoid them. Try introducing a bit of light colour instead: terracotta, sage green and cobalt blues are all pleasant options (as you can see below). Patterns and prints are welcome too, but stick to the classics: spots and stripes, checks at a push. And, in our opinion, leave your flip-flops at the pool or the beach. A pair of espadrilles or loafers are a more sensible warm-weather alternative.

To help make it easier for you, we’ve chosen a few of our favourite smart summer staples – new on site today – to keep you looking and feeling cool in the heat. Even better – most of these items can be worn as easily at the weekend as they can to work (assuming your company’s dress codes allow.)