Show of hands: who’s already planned their warm-weather wardrobe? No one? Just us then. In all fairness, our eagerness is hardly surprising. After the dispiriting gloom of January and February, we were buoyed by the glimmer of sunshine that started to stream (OK, trickle) through the MR PORTER UK HQ’s panoramic windows at the tail end of March. And, with the memory of last year’s hot summer still fresh in our minds, the sun’s early appearance has spurred us to steal a march on the season. So, in earnest preparation, we’ve compiled a list of the seven pieces that have us counting down the days, hours and minutes to summer’s glorious return.

No matter how bold, bright or daring swimwear is, it is rarely deemed newsworthy. And yet a story about them managed to surface in the British press recently. It seems the Prince of Wales has been wearing the same trunks for at least 12 years and, other than what looks like some slight sun-bleaching, they (the shorts) appear to be in good nick. We applaud the Prince’s thriftiness, of course, but we don’t entirely welcome the philosophy. When it comes to swimwear, there’s no reason you should limit yourself to a single pair. For those of us who don’t permanently reside in sunny climes, this brief sartorial free-for-all is fleeting. We suggest making the most of it, starting with Dries Van Noten’s gloriously summery swim shorts. The wavy retro pattern is derived from Mr Verner Panton’s psychedelic prints from the late 1960s and they come in two tan-enhancing versions: a sunset-inspired rainbow and a subdued navy.

While swimwear offers an opportunity for experimentation, picking a summer suit requires some restraint. Given the range of occasions when you’re likely to wear it, investing in anything with a loud print would be risky. You also need to be careful with fabric and fit. The great thing about choosing something made of linen, specifically, Boglioli’s unstructured K-Jacket (and matching trousers), is that it’s laid-back and lightweight, so it won’t feel stifling in the heat, but is sharp enough for more formal occasions, such as an endless stream of overseas weddings. And, since linen arguably looks better a little rumpled, you won’t have to be too precious when it comes to packing it into your suitcase.

Jewellery really comes into its own during summer. When you’re off the clock and enjoying a glass of something ice cold on the beach, why not push the boat out and express yourself? It’s also an easy way to confidently incorporate colour and character if you tend to stick to a more conservative palette. Minimalist French label Le Gramme – the aptly precise nomenclature is a reference to the metric unit of measurement – makes unfussy pieces such as this discreet cord and sterling-silver bracelet. Think of it as a more tasteful version of those souvenir ones everyone picked up on their gap-yah travels.

Our continued fascination with camp-collar shirts may be traced to the mid-century design boom roused by the arrival of Mad Men on our screens, or when Mr Giorgio Armani’s louche costumes in American Gigolo made menswear history, or when The Talented Mr Ripley’s wardrobe melted our cold, minimalism-weary hearts. Cinematic and sartorial tectonics aside, there is another, simpler explanation for how they’ve become a summer staple in recent years: they just look really good. And they’re cool, in the temperature-specific sense of the word. Particularly when made of airy cotton and cut in a boxy (and therefore very comfortable) fit, as this eminently wearable Jacquemus choice is. Wear it with, well, anything.

There was a time when a man was somewhat limited in the sunglasses department. Wayfarers and aviators have the distinction of being enduring, all-round classics, yes, but they’re not the only option these days. That’s right, the optical renaissance has arrived and just in time for what promises (we hope) to be a scorcher of a summer. We recognisethat not everyone is ready to don Balenciaga’s Matrix-inspired Neo frames, so how about Fendi’s hexagonal lenses? Like Wayfarers, they’re angular enough to be practically universally flattering, and yet still unorthodox enough to distinguish you among the hordes of similarly bespectacled gents at your next summer barbecue.

There’s been a preponderance of slides lately. It won’t, we imagine, have escaped your notice that the once-vilified rubber kind have redeemed themselves in recent years. Just as summery, but a slightly more sophisticated substitute, this Mr P. pair is made from rich brown leather and suede. Unlike the sportier, often logo-laden varieties, they don’t fall into the “wear them with socks until the weather warms up” category. The foot beds are ergonomically designed, so they’re more than comfortable enough without an extra (or sweaty) layer of cushioning. Plus, and we may be ruffling a few feathers here, they simply look better without them. Provided you’ve been following our grooming advice about footcare, that is.

There’s a theory that the 1990s revival is to do with practicality. Take bucket hats, for example. As an original piece of fisherman’s kit with a wide, sloping brim, they tend to do a better job than most of keeping the sun out of your eyes. A similar principle applies to cargo shorts. They tend to be made from a hard-wearing (and therefore, long-lasting) fabric, such as canvas or ripstop, and, by definition, come equipped with plenty of capacious pockets for, you know, carrying things. The knack is to make sure you don’t end up looking like the archetypal khaki-clad tourist, which brings us to Acne Studios’ pair – they’re cut with a wide and slightly shorter leg, so the overall effect is markedly more modern.