When temperatures rise to scorching levels in the summer, whether you’re in the city or at the beach, your first line of defence is, of course, an effective SPF. However, being pragmatic about your wardrobe choices will provide you with an extra layer of protection. That’s when linen, a fabric historically adored by kings and adorned by ancient Egyptian deities, plays an essential role in keeping you as cool as a cucumber. With this how-to guide, we’ve channelled style kings and fashion gods, from Jay Gatsby in the Hamptons, to Tom Ripley and Dickie Greenleaf on the Amalfi Coast via James “Sonny” Crockett in Miami’s South Beach.

Were you dressing for Wimbledon, Glastonbury or even Fête de la Musique last month? Not to mention the menswear shows of Milan, Paris and Florence. Wherever the past month took you, the one thing no doubt dictating your wardrobe decisions was the temperature. It can be difficult to know what to wear in a heatwave. And while we had a good stab at answering this conundrum ourselves, other opinions are available. Take the guys featured below. Summer might mean fewer items of clothing, but these men knew how to make them count – and not a divisive flip-flop in sight.

This is a safe space. Can I say something? I’ll take the silence as confirmation that I may go ahead… I utterly loathe media that entertains and promotes the notion that sneakers are edging – stepping, even – ever closer to becoming outmoded. It’s nonsense, typically born from conservative menswear-heads unable to fathom the idea that a world they’re not attuned to is 01. important and 02. here to stay. (Breathe; breathe.)

Our wardrobes have a story to tell. Open them up and there’s the shirt from that unforgettable party, the shoes from one of our most memorable holidays, and perhaps a cherished heirloom from a loved one. These stories we wear are reminders of special people and lovely times. Thus, clothes can hold particular significance as ways to understand and remember people, and to understand ourselves, too. We saw it played out (no spoilers) to devastating effect earlier this year in season two of The Last Of Us. In this way, what we wear can be more than just functional; it makes us feel. We spoke to five stylish men about some of the most treasured pieces in their wardrobes…

When temperatures rise to scorching levels in the summer, whether you’re in the city or at the beach, your first line of defence is, of course, an effective SPF. However, being pragmatic about your wardrobe choices will provide you with an extra layer of protection. That’s when linen, a fabric historically adored by kings and adorned by ancient Egyptian deities, plays an essential role in keeping you as cool as a cucumber. With this how-to guide, we’ve channelled style kings and fashion gods, from Jay Gatsby in the Hamptons, to Tom Ripley and Dickie Greenleaf on the Amalfi Coast via James “Sonny” Crockett in Miami’s South Beach.

Were you dressing for Wimbledon, Glastonbury or even Fête de la Musique last month? Not to mention the menswear shows of Milan, Paris and Florence. Wherever the past month took you, the one thing no doubt dictating your wardrobe decisions was the temperature. It can be difficult to know what to wear in a heatwave. And while we had a good stab at answering this conundrum ourselves, other opinions are available. Take the guys featured below. Summer might mean fewer items of clothing, but these men knew how to make them count – and not a divisive flip-flop in sight.