THE JOURNAL
Summer’s come sooner than expected – the warmer weather that is, if not your much-awaited vacation. And with it, so has the time to update your wardrobe with pieces that have the sole purpose of keeping you cool and stylish in the heat. Suggesting you invest in breezy linen staples – light, breathable and wrinkle-resistant thanks to the fibre’s natural properties – certainly isn’t revolutionary advice. But if your mind immediately goes to the same few trusted, but tired basics, you’ll appreciate the pieces below for a point of difference.
01. The shirts
That white shirt you find yourself reaching for over and over again isn’t the only way to stay smart – and keep cool – when the sun is out. Consider patterned styles instead, even if the motif is as simple as Polo Ralph Lauren’s almost-invisible micro stripes. Elsewhere, brands such as Drake’s and Federico Curradi offer up a welcome touch of colour for the evening and daytime respectively. Meanwhile, Orlebar Brown has mastered the perfect holiday shirt, with a seasonal floral print that won’t look out of place at an al fresco lunch in the city.
02. The shorts
Linen Bermuda shorts belong in every style discerning man’s wardrobe. And for good reason – they can be easily dressed up or down and they’ll take up minimal space in your luggage. Drawstring pairs from the likes of Brunello Cucinelli and Kingsman work well with T-shirts and boxy shirts, while tailored pleated styles require a little more consideration. Think a button-up and loafers, or a polo shirt and sandals for a more laid-back look.
03. The T-shirts
Your year-round, most essential “essential” just got an upgrade for the dog days of summer. Enter the linen tee – a staple with the same relaxed and sartorially versatile look of its original counterpart, but with a much lighter and breezier handle. Styles like De Petrillo’s and Loro Piana’s make adaptable building blocks and can virtually be styled with anything in your luggage – or workweek wardrobe. And a striped design or something a little more out there, such as Orlebar Brown’s highlighter pink tee, can easily be the focal point of an otherwise neutral outfit.
04. The suits
When the occasion requires you to take it up a notch, there’s nothing worse than being visibly hot and getting stuck in hours-long functions with one too many layers on. Business lunches, garden parties… Oh, and that wedding you forgot about. A linen suit will be something of a saviour for all the aforementioned. Opt for a double-breasted jacket in earthy tones for the evening – such as Kingsman’s, which is exclusive to MR PORTER – or consider breaking it up for a spezzato getup in more relaxed settings.
05. The trousers
Linen trousers are sure become one of your summer wardrobe workhorses. They’re the business when you don’t want to show skin, but still stay cool and look put-together in something that retains shape without requiring too much ironing. Think long-haul travel, for instance. Or long days on your feet exploring a new city. From Mr P.’s adjustable drawstring pair and Kartik Research’s embroidered styles to Portuguese Flannel’s slightly cropped profile, all part of our Consciously Crafted edit, you’re sure to find something that will seamlessly slot into your existing wardrobe.
06. The jackets
Whether you need an extra layer for crisp summer evenings or are just looking for something to smarten up a tank top, an overshirt or light blouson should do the trick. Carhartt WIP and Federico Curradi put their fresh spin on relaxed classics, while Loro Piana’s blouson toes the line between smart and casual, complementing denim and tailored trousers alike well into autumn.
The people featured in this story are not associated with and do not endorse MR PORTER or the products shown