Your invite to this year’s royal garden party at Buckingham Palace must have been lost in the post again. Too bad, your posh friend’s summer wedding will have to do. The general goal for a fancy outdoor shindig should be to look put-together, but still – and this is crucial – totally at ease. Your first port of call for relaxed-yet-swanky summer style should be a linen suit, such as this unstructured and double-breasted one from Thom Sweeney (NB: dark-green suits are the new thing), which strikes the perfect balance between smart, breathable and summer-appropriate. A lightweight knitted polo from Piacenza Cashmere will complement the look by adding some texture and you can finish it all off with some natty leather loafers from The Row, a cheery pocket square from TOM FORD, and a watch from legendary Swiss watchmaker Carl F. Bucherer with a suitably summery wrist strap.

Dressing for a music festival might well be the final boss of summer style. Navigating unpredictable weather and frenetic crowds while trying to look good is, frankly, a tall order. Practicality is key, but it’s no good showing up to your favourite band looking like you’re lost from the local village rambling chapter. Mercifully, the enduring trend towards Gorpcore (AKA technical gear) means there’s no shortage of fashionable and practical menswear around to see you through even the muddiest terrain in style. First, you’ll need a strong pair of boots (pity the friend who thinks he’ll survive in sandals), as well as a sturdy backpack – look to this capacious 32-litre one from mountaineering brand Klättermusen. The checkerboard rain jacket from Norse Projects Arktisk is made from ripstop; lightweight and thus great for tying around your waist in case the weather turns. Oh, and don’t forget the festivalgoer’s staple: a bucket hat. This reversible style from Original Madras is double the bang for your buck. Finally, throw on a pair of Balenciaga sunglasses. Yes, they’ll keep you looking cool during the day, but they’re also perfect for covering your eyes on the long journey home. What, you thought you’d come out of this feeling fresh as a daisy?

Modern tennis might be viewed as a British sport, but for spectator style with a little sprezzatura, no one does it quite like the Italians. Case in point here: a wool-twill blazer from Brescian brand Boglioli, worn over a linen shirt by Loro Piana and with a dazzling pair of bright white trousers from Rubinacci. Consider it the Italian tennis-style trifecta to beat; an outfit that will hold its own even if you find yourself seated across from Ms Anna Wintour at the US Open. Oh, and don’t forget the patterned silk tie from FERRAGAMO to finish everything off. Still, to keep it all suitably sporty and down to earth, some sneakers won’t go amiss: this blush-coloured pair of suede adidas Originals should win you a few compliments. Delightfully, they’ve named the subtle pink shade “pig”, to which we’ll borrow some courtside lingo and say: love.

When the weather heats up, our first (and totally understandable impulse) is to put comfort above style and start dressing sloppily in whatever feels easiest. A simple hack for doing good casual style in the heat, then, is to focus on tactile fabrics instead. Take this outfit: a gingham shirt from Mr P. made from summery seersucker, worn with super-soft and hand-spun cotton shorts from fabric wizardry brand 11.11/eleven eleven, a crochet bag from BODE and KAPITAL socks that have been made in Japan. These are all items that complement each other not just because the colours are pleasantly neutral, but because there’s artisanship and clear provenance behind each piece. The orange-dyed cardigan from Karu Research – an India-based label also known for their savvy use of natural fabrics – will add a pop of colour, and keep you warm as the evening goes on.