Five smart ways to stay cool when the weather’s not.

When the mercury rises, male sartorial standards can easily fall. How else to explain the way our streets become overrun with ill-fitting shorts and ill-advised straw trilbies, as if all the world is one big gin rummy game at the El Flamingo beach club?

Any man who can keep things smart in the heat, therefore, commands respect. Picture Mr Gregory Peck kicking some serious Atticus Finch in seersucker, and you’ve got the right idea. If you live in London, where the climate is more forgiving, this is an easier goal to attain. In the humidity of, say, Hong Kong or New York, however, it can be a little more challenging.

While a suit might sound like the last thing you want to put on at this time of year, ultra-lightweight fabrics, unlined models and pairing the jacket with a T-shirt are just some of the ways to cool the look down. Beyond that, here are five looks that say: cool, crisp and fresh – like the first sip of an ice-cold G and T.

A suit, white T-shirt and sockless loafers? We know what you’re thinking, Miami Vice. Tone things down with this moss-green, unstructured suit, however, and you should avoid being mistaken for Detective Sonny Crockett. Pair it with a simple white T-shirt, untucked, if you’d like to add a bit of nonchalance to Berluti’s refined formalwear. The Gucci loafers and the Valextra bag put a sophisticated stamp on the proceedings.

The Italians know a thing or two about looking effortless in the heat, and this indigo suit from Boglioli is a perfect case in point. The deep-blue summery hue is complemented by an extremely light wool fabric – blended with elastane for comfort. Pair it with an artisan-print shirt from Jil Sander, and leave your tie and socks at home. By showing a few inches of ankle, you’ll reinforce the contemporary feel of this laid-back look.

For summer parties requiring a smarter approach, if you make do with your winter formalwear you’ll spend more time holding your jacket than you will engaging in witty conversation or sipping cocktails. A few tweaks to your wardrobe, however, can create a crisp, warm-weather look while honouring etiquette and dress code. Take this Burberry suit. Sophisticated in its slim cut, the crushed-blue colour and relaxed flat-front trousers are tailor-made for a summer soiree. And the tie – a knitted one from Drake’s – keeps things smart but relaxed. Shiny black Derbies are always a classic way to complete this look – yet we like Bottega Veneta’s artful twist on the status quo. A geometric linen shirt is another playful approach to summer suiting.

If you want to appear a little more languid in the heat, Mr Massimo Alba, who has been trading in casual elegance for almost a decade now, is your go-to man. Using grey-blue unstructured linen and a playful hound’s-tooth pattern, he has crafted one of the season’s best casual summer suits. Roll up the trouser hems, slip on a simple tee and add some box-fresh, leather sneakers. The lightweight fine-knit cardigan from Burberry will be beneficial should a warm day turn to a cool night.

Big meetings don’t take the summer off. But however high-powered the situation, you can keep cool while making an imposing impression. Crafted in England, this double-breasted suit from our blockbuster Kingsman brand has a pleasing summer feel in both its hue and light construction. Add a touch of Mr Gordon Gekko with Gucci’s contrast collar shirt and a flourish courtesy of a Drake’s silk pocket square. To finish things off – no one does luxury leather like Berluti – invest in one of the best pairs of loafers on the market.