From plenty of the uber-stylish gathering on the grey carpet at Cannes Film Festival to the more clement weather encouraging us (and them) to shed some layers, May was full of excellent get-ups to take inspiration from. It’s no secret that most of us sadly won’t spend the next three months lying horizontally on a beach, so some insight on how to put together a fully-fledged outfit – one you can wear to an office, for instance, to a wedding, a summer soiree or after-work drinks – will actually come in handy.

Summer’s the time to experiment with textures, colours and patterns. And if you’re not sure where to start, just… start. Or look to Josh O’Connor for some inspiration, who’s combined the three in one fit. Whether it’s the contrasting windowpane check on the Valentino Garavani blazer, the pop of colour that comes by way of a logo T-shirt from the Roman house, the subtle embroidery on the jeans or the tactile suede on the sneakers, we’re here for it.

Be it for its sturdy handle or its utilitarian connotations, there’s a certain misconception about denim in summer. Emphasis on the “mis”, though. As Sope Dirisu proves, not one, but two denim pieces paired together (aka a Canadian tuxedo) can instantly become a regular option in your rotation in hotter weather. The dark wash vouches for more formal occasions, so if it’s not a suit you want to go for, double denim is an easy – and just as effective – switch.

Pedro Pascal rocked up to the Cannes Film Festival packing serious heat. It’s just his top that was harmless. Sorry, armless. Decked out in Calvin Klein, with studded shoes by Jil Sander, the actor and internet daddy demonstrated how you can wear black in summer. Loose, well-ventilated and employing temperature-regulating materials such as merino is the way to go. And Mr Fantastic’s workout regimen wouldn’t hurt, either.

Like a garden, a sense of style must be nurtured if it is to grow. Sure, there’s doing the groundwork, getting the basics down. And then there’s enjoying spring and early summer’s blooms. On his way to a Bafta event, the actor Nabhaan Rizwan knows how to have some fun with his clothes. The key is a tonal coherency that allows boundaries to be pushed. And lawns to be edged.

A simple suede blouson has been a mainstay in any style-discerning man’s wardrobe ever since we can remember, but this season it feels all the more relevant. Particularly if it comes in a rich chocolate-brown shade, like the one worn by Korean actor and singer Park Bo-gum. A white tee and jeans complete the fit with the kind of nonchalance that we all secretly wish we had.

Back at Cannes, the actor Austin Butler is a master at keeping his cool. A simple but highly effective getup teams a loose and loosely buttoned shirt with pleated oatmeal trousers from The Row. Add a pair of leather loafers and tinted sunglasses and you have a smart look that doesn’t necessitate a jacket. For bonus rizz, work on that Flynn Rider-style smoulder.

Also at Cannes, while Mads Mikkelsen rubbed shoulders with the other actors on this list, there seemed to be a certain shrug to his. Not the only tonal ensemble he was spotted in at the festival – while an all-khaki look also caught the eye, his dark blue layering is one that most men could pull off. You no doubt own a lot of navy. And if you haven’t got a blouson, you should get one. Now roll up your sleeves, tousle your hair and make like you’re on holiday.