The best clothes have this ability to transport you. Brunello Cucinelli does just that. There’s something quintessentially Italian about its particular brand of laid-back luxury, a vision of la dolce vita woven in cashmere, linen and silk, which makes you feel like you’re right there, aperitif in hand, watching the sun slip low over the Umbrian hills.

Based in Solomeo, a medieval hamlet just outside of Perugia in central Italy, the company is famous for its relaxed work-life balance, which sees employees enjoy a communal lunch every day and leave at 5.30pm on the dot, with a strict policy on no emails after work. (We can only dream.) It is, in many ways, the ultimate slow fashion brand, crafted purposefully and with little heed for trends. And while that makes talking about Brunello Cucinelli in the context of seasonal fashion seem a little perverse, to do so would be to miss out on some truly wonderful items of menswear. So, what does the Italian good life look like in summer 2021? Read on and find out.

In the hands of Brunello Cucinelli, even something as slouchy as a pair of sweatpants feels luxurious. It’s not just the fabric – a 60/40 cashmere and cotton blend with just a hint of stretch – but the subtle creases, which are stitched into the front to give a smarter, more tailored appearance.

Inspired by classic running styles of the late 1970s, this panelled mesh and leather sneaker just oozes vintage charm. As you’d expect of Brunello Cucinelli the materials are super-premium, and there are no flashy logos or gaudy colours to get in the way.

Brunello Cucinelli puts its unmistakable stamp on the classic, double-strap buckled sandal – a style best associated with Birkenstock, but elevated here to a new level of luxury. The footbeds and uppers are both made from calf suede, marked in the latter case with pinstripe indentations, which lend it an almost corduroy-like texture.

The last few years have seen many high-end brands release their own take on the “luxe sneaker”. Few have done it quite as well as Brunello Cucinelli, whose retro-inspired tennis shoe strikes the right balance between relaxed and dressy, understated and stylish. An incredibly versatile shoe, it works equally well with casual outfits or relaxed tailoring.

As is so often the case with Brunello Cucinelli, it’s the finishing touches that set this backpack apart, such as the back panel made from perforated suede, or the snap-fastening pockets on either side where other brands might have opted for a zip. They’re small, seemingly inconsequential details but they add up to a truly special piece of luggage.

Another case of Brunello Cucinelli elevating classic styles through the use of premium materials, this half-zip sweater in burnt-orange is also an example of the brand’s emphasis on comfort and adaptability. The soft, rib-knitted cotton material has a natural stretch and can be easily layered over a shirt or T-shirt, making it a great choice for al fresco evening meals.

This is a case of classic Americana seen through the lens of Italian luxury: the striped ribbing at the collar and cuffs of this cardigan recall the style of a traditional varsity jacket, but the fabrication and neutral colour are quintessentially Brunello Cucinelli.

The Italian brand also makes its four-pocket field jacket in a rich brown suede, but the beige cotton version seen here is rather more faithful to the style’s military origins, not to mention more appropriate for summer. The red zips – seen both at the funnel neck and the placket – add a striking contrast.

Unstructured, half-lined and cut from an impressively lightweight linen and silk-blend fabric, this double-breasted blazer wears more like a shirt than a jacket, with none of the buttoned-up stiffness that we sometimes associate with tailoring. Nonetheless, the double-breasted construction and broad peak lapels strike an elegant note. 

A slightly less formal option than the double-breasted blazer, above, this blazer feels more like a sports jacket on account of its notch lapel, patch pockets and the houndstooth check. But it’ll still take you everywhere you need to go this summer, from intimate dinner parties to outdoor galas.