Summer’s officially arrived and, if you’re anything like us, dressing for the sweltering temperature can come with serious challenges. With winter layers officially stored in the back of the wardrobe, wearing as little clothes as possible is the new mission – and achieving a sleek look with fewer pieces is incredibly more difficult. Luckily, the silver screen is always here to inspire and there’s a number of classic summer movies that have ideal fits outfits to replicate these next few months.

Whether your style is classic and timeless in feel, or bolder and more graphic, these five flicks have a style mandate to fit every personality. Better yet, the aesthetics of these iconic characters are completely laid out for you below, so you barely have to do any thinking. Just pick a fictional gent and copy their ensemble from head to toe. Consider it the lazy man’s guide to dressing.

Ferris Bueller, played by a young Mr Matthew Broderick, is the ultimate school skipper and he does it in total style. The premise is simple, but effective: Ferris is a high-school student determined to play hooky and have a day off from school, though he faces a lot of hurdles in the process. The film’s supporting star, however, is Ferris’ wardrobe itself: cool, rebellious and totally 1980s – the good kind of 1980s – his spunky look is worth riffing off this summer. A leather varsity jacket is key (the more worn-in, the better), and do like Ferris by wearing it with a white T-shirt, a leopard-print knit and pleated trousers. Hell, he even wore white Oxfords with the look, too.

Even though it is set in the 1950s, Grease is an iconic 1970s film known just as much for its fashion as its songs. Admit it, we’ve all wanted to be the impossibly cool greaser Danny Zuko, played by Mr John Travolta, at one point in our lives. His rockabilly leather jacket, white T-shirt and skin-tight black jeans is a classic get-up that stands the test of time. It’s also a perfect look for those summer nights – pun intended – where there’s a bit of a breeze. Don’t forget the badass leather boots and, if your mane allows for it, a slicked pompadour hairdo.

Got a summer wedding to attend this season? Allow Mr Martin Scorsese’s Casino to be your reference guide for suiting up. With all the good makings of a classic film – greed, money, deception, power, etc – it features Mr Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a gambling handicapper with impeccable taste in tailoring. Set in Vegas, his endless supply of suits is also the ideal hot-weather look. For day, he’ll do a checked suit in grey with a coloured shirt and a white tie; come nighttime, he’ll go for a lightweight two-piece in black, then ease it up with a white button-up and satin tie. He also never forgets a pocket square – what is he, an animal? And, obviously, dress shoes are a must.

Another 1980s hit on our hands, Cocktail stars Mr Tom Cruise as a talented New York City bartender, named Brian Flanagan, who takes a job at a bar in Jamaica, falling in love along the way. Love is great and all, but we’re more interested in Brian’s penchant for tropical shirts and summer vacationwear. Replicate his look by slipping on a graphic floral shirt – camp collar preferred – and style it with a classic pair of shorts, or jeans at nighttime. Also, don’t be afraid of wearing sandals – luckily, there’s a number of sleek leather styles on the market right now. The only finishing touch you need is a drink in hand, of course. Umbrella optional.

Directed by Mr Spike Lee, Do The Right Thing is set on the hottest day of the year on a street in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighbourhood. There, in and around a local pizzeria, a handful of characters interact and collide, with themes of racism and hate coming to the forefront. The most stylish figure in the film is Radio Raheem, played by the late Mr Bill Nunn. Carrying around a boombox wherever he goes, he does retro cool with extreme swagger. Emulate him and slip on a graphic tee, camo-print shorts and pristine white Nike high-top sneakers. Bonus points for his bold jewellery, too, such as the oversized pendant necklace and his “Love” and “Hate” knuckle-duster rings.

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