Something you may not know: chunky stripes were first used to signify outcasts, vagrants or prisoners. It was the easiest way to make a pattern that even the illiterate could see and say “Hey, that’s a bad guy!” Times have changed and now a stripy T-shirt, such as this charming one from The Real McCoy’s, is a non-negotiable part of a stylish man’s summer wardrobe.

Change your look at, er, the drop of a hat with this reversible shell bucket hat from Fendi. There’s a logo embroidered on the beige side and, on the reverse, a punchy psychedelic Zucca logo, but the whole thing is constructed with a zipped pocket it can be folded into. Hours of fun guaranteed.

These organic cotton-canvas wide-leg shorts from Auralee will keep you cool this season, wherever you roam. Exclusive to MR PORTER’s Small World collection, which champions people-and-planet-first manufacturing methods, you’ll also be supporting local craftsmanship when you buy them. The Japan-based brand produces each piece from start to finish in one region.

Lightweight, breathable and effortlessly stylish, espadrilles are a no-brainer in summer. But how do you smarten them up? TOM FORD’s collapsible-heel espadrilles do the job by switching out the traditional canvas uppers for woven leather.

Tailored from cotton with added elastane to give it some give, this is very much a jacket for all seasons. Indeed, the colour will take you from summer to autumn with ease. Backed up by four generations of tailoring know-how, you can trust Boglioli in this department.

This shirt by our in-house label Mr P. is done in honeycomb knit, which affords it a more interesting texture and depth than your average polo shirt. As it happens, it’s also the colour of honeycomb. Was this intentional? That’s a secret we’ll never tell.

We love a classic trucker-style denim jacket here at MR PORTER, but what if you want to mix it up a bit? This version from YMC does the trick. Its kimono-style shawl collar and slanted slash pockets offer up a notable point of difference.

Make a splash poolside with these bright rubber slides from Bottega Veneta. We could razzle-dazzle you with the way the brand has featured its signature intrecciato quilting – usually created using leather – but we all know the real draw is the attention-seeking colour that will turn others green with envy.

Even if a trip to the beach is off the cards, a roomy tote bag is a handy thing to have during the summer months. Large enough to hold warm-weather essentials, such as a water bottle, your trusty SPF and hand sanitiser, this canvas example from KAPITAL, with its smiling mascot, cannot fail to brighten your day.

Depending on your mental state, a brand inspired by travel is either just the ticket right now, or, well, not. What is inarguable, however, is the near ecclesiastical chill level of this linen and cotton-blend SMR Days pullover shirt.

You should put quite a bit of thought into your choice of sunglasses. They have to be versatile enough to suit a range of occasions yet match the bulk of your wardrobe. Another thing to keep in mind is what works with your bone structure. A D-frame pair such as Jacques Marie Mage’s will flatter most face shapes.

Made by artisans in northern Portugal using local, recycled and organic materials, you can practically feel a coastal breeze just by looking at Portuguese Flannel’s camp-collar shirt, the undisputed hero of a laid-back summer wardrobe.

Pity the man who goes to the beach without a decent towel. What’s a bit of sand, he thinks naively, before finding that very sand in crevices he didn’t know he had for the next three weeks. You’re not like him, though. You’ve thought ahead and have got yourself a fancy linen-jacquard towel from Frescobol Carioca. Well done, you.

It’s no real secret that the most important cream in your bathroom cabinet is the one that stops the sun from ageing your skin, so stock up. It pays to apply this stuff year-round, so there’s no excuse.

These superb suede and canvas sneakers come courtesy of visvim, a cult Japanese brand highly regarded in menswear circles for its dedication to craftsmanship and its extraordinary eye for detail. Not ones for a kickaround in the park, these.

Unless you’re wearing sandals or espadrilles, socks are a necessity, even in the balmiest of summer conditions. Stocking up on no-show pairs is your best bet (unless your ankles are perennially chilly). Falke’s Cool Kick socks have extra lightweight soles and are made from temperature-regulating fibres that will wick moisture.

Look, we get that the palm tree-lined paradise on your bucket list might be on pause for another year, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose the summer feeling from your wardrobe, too. These mid-length swim shorts from Hartford are guaranteed to put you in holiday mode, wherever you’re spending it this year.

Loafers are an especially adaptable form of summer footwear. They bridge the gap between smart and casual perfectly. You could just as easily, for example, wear this tan suede John Lobb pair with smart tailoring as you could with shorts and a laid-back linen shirt.

Lightweight pleated trousers are a great choice for those summer days when it’s too warm for denim but too brisk for shorts. This Double Eleven pair are cut from a lightweight olive-drab canvas material that was used by the US Army for sleeping bag covers in the 1960s.

Italian clothing and lifestyle label SSAM pays attention to the finer details, which is particularly clear in this set of belting great beach bats from our Small World collection. Crafted from reclaimed oak wood, with leather-wrapped handles, there’s only a limited run of them available. And if that weren’t enough, they also come with a Wimbledon practice ball. Perfect for an idyllic day at the beach.