Summer Wardrobe Essentials
Summer is here, and when it comes to clothing it means lighter colours, less layers and lighter and more breathable fabrics. Linen, cotton and lightweight wool are going to be your most common choices during the warmest season of the year.
As I always say, part of what we wear is personal and part is also professional as some people are limited with uniforms and dress codes. Some live in their shorts from May to October and some people never wear shorts. It is personal preference and both options can be reasonable if you wear the right fabrics. I always prefer long trousers over shorts when possible. But when it is almost 40 degrees celsius outside, it is almost impossible to not be in shorts. The same goes with shirts. Some prefer to wear log sleeves most of the time. That’s why on a summer day, we can see a guy in a tank top, shorts and flip flops walking next to a guy in a full-on suit. If done correctly the guy in a suit can survive without sweating to death. That’s why choosing the right fabrics is very important if you plan or need to wear layers on a hot day. If this is your personal preference then I assume you already know what you are doing, if not you will have to learn more about the best fabrics to wear in summer months. In this article, I will talk about what I believe are the essentials that everyone should have in their casual summer wardrobe.
Shirts
In summer, your wardrobe will mostly revolve around shirts, polos, and t-shirts. When I don’t wear a jacket, I prefer shirts with pockets, so it does’t look too plain and you have some extra room to store a wallet, phone, keys or sunglasses, and pockets also make the whole look a bit more casual. Even more casual option is a camp collar shirt - nothing screams summer more than a camp collar. The most common versions are with short sleeves, but you can find a bit dressier version with long sleeves as well. There are plenty of different variations of shirts with camp collars, so you should be able to find something you will wear to the beach, but also something that you can wear in the office. What I consider must-have colours for summer are white, light blue, and navy, because they’re the easiest to pair. Lately I started to like pink shirts as well, but only very casual versions. You could also add something cream or beige as well, because these colors work really well with white trousers. Another must have for me is a nice t-shirt. I already made an article about best quality options available. Polo shirt is another must have. It can be worn very casually, but it has just enough structure to be dressed up for a dinner. And the last must-have item, in my opinion, is a nice tank top. It is a perfect element to layer with a shirt so you can wear it open.
Top row from left to right: Malloch's x John Smedley, Rubato, Poszetka
Bottom row from left to right: Merz. B Schwanen, The Anthology , Poszetka
Trousers
When it comes to trousers a white or ecru jeans is an essential item for me all year long. In the summer, I would add nice pair of cotton or linen trousers in navy, white or ecru and a simple pair of high waisted shorts. For shorts I would go with khaki or beige colour so it creates just enough contrast to perfectly match with white, light blue, olive and navy, other very versatile options would be navy, white and olive.
From left to right: The Decorum, Rubato, Buzz Rickson’s
Jackets
You’ll likely spend most summer days in just one layer, but once the sun sets, the temperature can drop. For such evenings, a light jacket comes in very handy. A jungle jacket is a summer staple, it’s versatile and should work with most of your casual outfits. Another option for casual looks is a denim jacket. If you want something more elegant, a blazer in lighter shades is a great summer choice and pairs well with many different outfits.
From left to right: Buzz Rickson’s, Natalino, Sugar Cane
Footwear
If I had to pick only three pairs of shoes to wear all summer, I would go with brown suede loafers (penny or tassel, it depends on your personal style and preference), white canvas sneakers, and a pair of espadrilles. These three pairs should work with all the pieces and outfits I mentioned above and have you covered for all possible occasions. They are also styles that add the final touch to complete a relaxed yet elegant summer look.
For summer essentials, I have selected basics in colours that complement each other and work perfectly together, so all items on the list can be easily mixed and matched. In my opinion, this is the most practical approach, so you avoid struggling with what works when you are putting together your outfits.
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This summer capsule collection is built around a single color: blue, in shades ranging from white to dark navy.