THE JOURNAL
Every year, at the start of summer, there’s a certain feeling of freedom and carelessness that lingers for a few months. We’ve got all the reasons to be celebrating, after all. The days become longer, the mercury rises and, well, most existing dress codes soften in favour of joyful, colourful and light layers that have the sole purpose of keeping you cool – both literally and figuratively – in the heat.
But the peak of summer can also spell sartorial demise. How much colour is too much? Can you wear short shorts to the office? And slides? Can a linen shirt be worn in lieu of a more formal button-up? These are all legitimate questions. And given that, here at MR PORTER, we spend most days dishing out style advice, we have some thoughts. Or better yet, Mr P.’s summer collection – a selection of timeless, contemporary staples (many of which feature in our Consciously Crafted edit, renewing the brand's commitment to long-lasting style), which we hope will solve most of your summer style dilemmas – and serve as your sartorial foundation throughout our favourite season.
01. Bet on the summer shirt
There’s something so liberating about dressing for warmer weather. And that often involves turning to staples that feature colours and patterns that we wouldn’t necessarily think of donning in winter. A perfect example of said staples is the summer shirt.
You’ll want something laid-back and relaxed, yet crisp and refined. Something you can wear with shorts in the day, but still keep on in the evening with a pair of tailored trousers. Let us introduce you to Mr P.’s blue style – the sun-inspired motif is informed by the paintings of renowned American artist Ms Alice Neel.
02. Get off on the right foot
When thinking about what shoes to pack for a holiday, you only really need three pairs – a pair of everyday David sandals, a smarter option (such as Mr P.’s Tom suede slides) and a pair of Larry sneakers. And we wouldn’t be mad if you threw in a pair of Jacques loafers as well. Frankly, that’s pretty much all you need for the summer months.
There are just a couple of things to keep in mind, whatever plans you have on the cards: adaptability and comfort. Look for contoured footbeds and bouncy rubber soles – which will make your urban adventures all the more pleasant – and for versatility, pick timeless colours and minimal silhouettes.
03. Reconsider the basics
Remember what we said about venturing out with colours and patterns? That doesn’t just apply to shirts. You can indeed use the same approach to your most-used essentials, however subdued. Think of swapping your classic tees with something a little bolder. And if you don’t feel adventurous enough to go all out with a statement logo, start small with a geometric motif (or Mr P.’s stripey pattern).
Switching up colours is also an easy way to breathe new life into your rotation. Swap out your black styles for lighter shades, such as greys and blues, to lighten up the mood (and avoid attracting sunrays).
04. Mind the shades
If there’s one thing that we deem absolutely essential in summer, that’s got to be a good pair of sunglasses. We’ve written our guide to picking the right pair to suit your face shape. And Mr P.’s ongoing collaboration with London-based sunglasses brand Cubitts has all bases – and faces – covered. To make life easier, we’ve short-listed these three pairs, which are all as exquisitely crafted, versatile and stylish as one another.
05. Ride the wave
Hopefully you’re planning a summer getaway spent in some far-flung resort. And if that is the case, the least we can do is advise what should be in your case. Whether you find yourself poolside or on a beach lounger, having a couple of good swim shorts that’ll also look the part at the local restaurant is paramount.
Mr P.’s trunks – which also take cues from the artwork of the aforementioned pioneering American expressionist – offer up plenty of styling opportunities. When dressing them up, we’d advise experimenting with different textures, such as crochet or cotton terry.