THE JOURNAL

As any menswear fan worth his salt knows, summer in the city is tough to dress for. It’s hot, it’s sweaty and the options for clothes that serve form and function drastically decrease. So, what to do? According to the model and menswear expert Richard Biedul, buying menswear in summer is a minefield. “[The sudden change in weather] results in men, who are notoriously loyal shoppers, making spontaneous purchases they instantly regret, because it was something ‘fun for summer’,” he says. To build a seasonal wardrobe you’ll actually keep wearing, then, here are a few pretty effortless suggestions.
01. The casual shirt


The best thing you can fill a summer wardrobe with is an excellent collection of casual button-up shirts. “They’re especially great for people who don’t just want to be wearing something like a T-shirt that shows off their body,” says the celebrity stylist Luca Kingston.
Short sleeves will look holiday appropriate, especially when accompanied with a tropical print like this one from Jacquemus. However, long sleeves can work just as well. This cornflower blue number from Auralee will look great unbuttoned over a tank top – think The Talented Mr Ripley if Tom Ripley had shopped for Japanese menswear.
Biedul has another style icon in mind. “One of my forever reference points for wearing shirts in the summer is Matthew Perry in Friends,” he says. “From his Oxford button-downs to his Cuban- and revere-collared shirts, he maintained a strong sense of personal style.”
02. The chunky sandals

Sandals might not be the most popular menswear item, but when worn well, they can still look very classic. Chunky styles, rather than flimsy-looking flip-flops, are both the most practical and easier to style, as they’ll look the part whether with swim shorts at the beach or a pair of linen trousers at dinner.
For those of us who prefer to keep cool without imposing our toes on the public, fisherman sandals, such as this brown leather pair from Manolo Blahnik, provide the perfect compromise. “They work because they’re halfway between a shoe and a sandal, so they’re breathable and have that summery feel, but don’t show off your toes so much,” Kingston says. “Plus, they’re easier to wear with socks.”
03. Bermuda shorts


While short-shorts have been the dominant trend of the past few years – thank you, Paul Mescal and Donald Glover – Bermuda shorts have gained traction this season. Their slightly high-waist and tailored silhouette adds a welcome taste of sophistication to a summer look. This white linen pair from Brunello Cucinelli are magnifico.
“Right now, a wider cut and longer short is definitely more interesting to me than a higher short,” Kingston says. He recommends wearing them with a tucked in tank top and a Cuban-collar shirt. Finish everything off with a pair of loafers, or those aforementioned fisherman sandals, and you’ll look the part whether in London or Lake Como.
04. The baseball cap

Once the preserve of off-duty athletes, today the baseball cap is as likely to be seen paired with tailoring as it is with gym shorts. “I love that you can wear caps in so many different ways,” Kingston says. In fact, he’ll often don his own with a suit or blazer to instantly relax a polished look.
A cap in a neutral colour, such as off-white, brown or navy (like this waxed cotton one by LOEWE from our Consciously Crafted edit) will go with just about anything. As well as being versatile, a baseball cap will also serve to shield your face from UV rays – helpful if you don’t want to age before your time.
05. The classic sunglasses


When shopping for shades, the most important thing to do is to consider your face shape. “Don’t just buy the latest ‘it’ pair of sunglasses,” Biedul says. “Whether you’re an oval, square, round or heart, it’s important to know what works for you to ensure a flattering and comfortable fit.”
If that sounds complicated, start with a D-frame pair, such as these from Ray-Ban and SAINT LAURENT. “Wayfarers are a safe bet, I’ve never had a situation where someone didn't look great in a pair of those,” Kingston says.
For further inspiration, he points to Robert Downey Jr, Tom Holland and Andrew Garfield. They lead the pack in the sunglasses game by often sporting classic frames with orange or blue-shaded lenses when they’re on the red carpet. “Those guys have nailed the idea of wearing unique, interesting sunglasses and always looking great.”
06. The summer bag

Summer means no coat or jacket pockets to fall back on. So, if you carry more than a phone and keys with you, you’ll need something to pick up the slack. Enter a stylish tote bag – and a certain bag-carrying celebrity to draw inspiration from.
“Jacob Elordi has become the king of handbags,” Kingston says. “He does it in such a way that still feels very masculine and not like he’s trying too hard.”
Whenever he wears one of his bags, which run the gamut from phone-sized to ridiculously capacious, the Australian actor manages to look like he’s simultaneously on the way to a film premiere and the gym. Follow his lead with a fancy leather bag, like this one from Loro Piana, to immediately improve a slouchy summer look.
07. The neutral T-shirt


A white T-shirt is the obvious option for summer – white reflects the sunlight, making it technically cooler than darker colours. However, it’s not always the most versatile. Something visually quieter, such as grey or khaki, will look great in summer and can be worn year-round.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found myself drifting toward a perennially neutral colour palette,” Biedul says. “Small pops of colour do exist in my wardrobe, but they are muted, subtle and complementary to the overarching aesthetic.”
This very stealthily pink T-shirt by Mr P. is the perfect example. Style it with relaxed beige linen trousers, or even denim shorts and sandals, for a fresh summer look.
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