THE JOURNAL
You didn’t get to where you are today without learning how to wear a shirt, or so we assume. You’ve mastered where to stick your arms and how to button buttons, after all. What else is there to know? But the dog days of summer can turn all of this on its head. Or rather, the heat can really scramble those neural pathways in your brain. Suddenly, those top buttons are a no-go zone. In fact, why not throw caution to the wind and leave the whole lot undone? And have you considered swapping out your tasteful micro stripes for a lairy aloha print? Of course you have.
We’re not here to tell you not to. In fact, we’d go as far as saying that right now, gearing up for your vacation, is exactly when you should be experimenting with prints and patterns, textures and fabrics. The only caveat we’d add is that you go into the hottest months with your mind switched on. Think about what you’re doing and what you’re wearing. With the right approach, your summer reset could even provide a template to bring into the rest of the year. And it all starts with a shirt.
01. Get the check
Maybe you associate a checked shirt with autumnal conditions. That could be down to the thicker flannel material that lends itself to the pattern, plus images of burly lumberjacks in the damp forests of the Pacific Northwest. And certainly, if you want to get ahead for AW24, it’s a good way to go. But in a more seasonally appropriate fabric – such as the lightweight cotton-poplin seen here – plaid shouldn’t be overlooked.
Not that checks aren’t already a part of the conversation in the hotter months. Madras shares the tartan designs of plaid, if typically employing brighter colours, swerving the palettes of Scottish clans for those of the southern Indian city now known as Chennai. And that is one way to go. This piece by Bottega Veneta, however, offers more muted tones that can be worn with anything. The dark T-shirt worn underneath also helps break up the pattern.
Denim, likewise, is not always a go-to material for summer. But a lighter wash and a looser, relaxed cut will ensure your jeans can take the heat.
02. A man of many layers
The default setting when it gets too hot might be to strip down to as much bare skin as is legally possible. However, more clothes might actually be the better option. Light layers will fend off UV rays, while choice fabrics in loose cuts can help regulate the body temperate and provide ventilation. A shirt, again in a cotton-poplin, comes into its own as an overshirt. A second shirt might be a step too far for some…
Even with your OOO reply set to go, workwear can play its part in a summer wardrobe. Here, Cherry Los Angeles is the name to know. The brand takes the traditions and dress codes of American industry and aligns them with modern streetwear. This short-sleeved shirt nods to those worn by mechanics of the proto-Googie era, with a boxy fit and a light cotton-blend construction to keep you cool.
03. My name is prints and I am funky
Sure, when it comes to shirts, summer is a chance to go in hard with animal prints and tropical vistas. And we’re here for that. But for those hoping to dial it back just a bit, there are motifs that stand out without going all out, if you catch our drift. Take Burberry’s signature “b” closure design, borrowed from the brand’s Rocking Horse bag. It does enough to get noticed, but won’t risk causing offense.
And this shirt goes one better, having been tailored in Italy from a fine silk. This delicate but strong natural material is highly breathable, offering airflow and moisture-wicking properties. The latter point might not be something to dwell on, but for staying comfortable in the blistering sun, it warrants at least a passing thought.