How to celebrate the holiday in style.

Americans are not exactly famous for their great cultural memory. Fine. But we do like a holiday as much as the next country. And, for a lot of us, whether or not we’ve had friends or family serve in the military, Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial kick-off party to summer (though that’s important, too). So, as we’re gathering up our gear to get out of town, binge watching war movies on the History Channel with Uncle Joe, or just lazing somewhere finally warm with a refreshing drink next weekend, we can take a moment to respect the military connotations of the day, even in what we’re wearing.

The greatest of all menswear staples was first worn by members of the US Navy more than 100 years ago and, by the middle of the 20th century, became standard issue both at home and abroad. For the more minimalist minded, think Mr Marlon Brando, Streetcar – done, though the peacocks among us might want a little more. If the heat hasn’t hit you at home just yet or you are travelling somewhere where the night chill may still take hold at the end of May, an extra layer or two will never go amiss. A basic white T-shirt functions as a great canvas. Try an unstructured blazer or cardigan over a white one for a grade-A classic holiday look. Bonus points for throwing on a vivid-pattern scarf, an accessory that, like the traditional neck tie, has a colourful military backstory, descended as it is from the brilliant-hued neckwear of the 17th-century mercenaries known as the Croats.

No garment is more immediately recognisable as military garb, perhaps, than the cotton trouser and nothing is better suited to scuttling between summertime engagements. In all of its many manifestations – the chino, the cargo – whether in a cool neutral or wild camo, with five pockets or 15, khakis can dress up to a blazer or down to sandals, and everywhere in between. Functionally, they are at home on the golf course (dress code permitting), at the garden party (depending on the circles you move in) and even an impromptu outdoor adventure. If you don’t already have a pair to wear with your club-collar shirt and military-staple desert boots this summer, well, fall in line.

Whether you are referencing brave aeronauts of yore, or just Top Gun, aviator glasses, which, as you can guess, are named after the pilots for whom they were specifically designed by Bausch + Lomb in the mid 1930s, are essential. In fact, we’d go so far as to say there is no one who doesn’t look great in them and nothing with which they cannot be worn. Outside of church and maybe mom’s house, there’s almost no place you’ll be headed next weekend where they’ll be unwelcome. Apart from some easy classic style, your aviators will give you a dash of that I-belong-here command of General Douglas MacArthur, and just enough of Maverick’s savoir faire.