'Things I Like This Month,' is a monthly newsletter where I share things I genuinely like or that stood out to me and felt worth talking about.

Everything you read in this article is my honest opinion, and nothing is paid for. I’m always excited to see new quality products and discover new brands or makers, so I’m always very happy when you guys send me suggestions or something you think I might like.

White and Blue Summer Combinations

I generally prefer to wear lighter bottoms and darker tops, so during summer, you’ll hardly ever see me in anything other than white or ecru trousers. I might lean more toward olive and brown colors during the colder months, but in summer, I’m drawn to all shades of blue, especially the lighter ones.
Lately, I’ve been trying out different combinations of white, blue, and navy, or you could say, different shades of blue. Most often it’s white trousers paired with tops ranging from light blue to navy. And sometimes it’s the opposite, navy trousers or jeans paired with a white or light blue shirt, then layered with a jacket in another shade of blue. To me, white and blue is the combination that screams summer like no other.
We’ve had cooler weather here in Vienna for the second week in a row, so I’ve been wearing my Navy Knitted T-Shirt from Poszetka often, another nice option is this one from The Anthology. Alternative would be the French Navy Cromford Sea Island Cotton Polo from Malloch's x John Smedley. While putting together different outfit options, I also fell in love with the Blue Linen-Cotton Houndstooth Sport Jacket from Natalino. It works so well with navy and white and is definitely a standout piece for me this summer, like the ultimate blue summer jacket. I’d wear it with my the White Cotton Aleks Trousers from Kit Blake, the Off-White Cotton Taza Trousers from Casatlantic, or the Cream Linen Single Pleat Trousers from Natalino. And if you prefer shorts, I’d go with the Antonello Cotton Shorts from Berg & Berg or the Rubato Country Club Shorts in Ivory . For more white and blue outfit inspiration, check out my article: Shades of Blue - A Summer Capsule Wardrobe.

Poszetka Yellow Stripe Summer Shirt

I really like the color yellow in clothing, especially toned-down or washed-out shades on knitted sweaters. But I wouldn’t have believed you if you’d told me I’d get excited about a bright yellow summer shirt… and yet, here we are. What I usually consider as the ultimate summer shirt is something completely different, but when I saw this one, it immediately spoke to me. The cut is technically a western shirt, but it feels like something entirely different in this bright yellow striped Tencel fabric. It instantly makes you imagine yourself wearing it somewhere by the sea. It’s a very unusual summer shirt that somehow feels completely natural, and it’s surprisingly versatile. You can wear it with canvas shorts or jeans, but it’ll also look great with swim trunks or even a casual summer suit. The mother of pearl snap buttons add a perfect western detail that makes the shirt even more interesting.

Check it out.

You can get 10% off with code OUTFITNARRATIVE

Myrqvist Lysekil II in Sand Suede

I got and wore these Myrqvist Lysekil II in Sand Suede at Pitti, and they worked great with very light summer outfits. But this sand suede is actually more versatile than I expected, it also pairs nicely with light denim, for example. They’re half-lined, so they’re super comfortable from the moment you put them on, with just enough structure to hold their shape well. The sand suede is a great summer color, and the shape is very elegant, maybe even a bit too much for me personally, since I dress very casually (and wouldn’t wear them with jeans). But if you're a more formal dresser, you’ll probably love them.

They only release the frames six times a year, for just a couple of days each time, and the next opening is on July 2nd, so set your reminders so you don’t miss out!

Check them out.

Serica Ref. 1174 Parade

Last month at Pitti, I finally had the chance to see this watch in the flesh, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. When I first tried it on, I wasn’t really sure how I felt about it, but then I got the chance to wear it for a day and a half, and it slowly grew on me. Especially the brass dial version, which looks stunning in the sunlight and pairs beautifully with both formal and more casual outfits. Wearing it helped me understand it better - it’s a well-designed watch with great details and a unique character. You can read my full review here, or find more details about the watch here.

White Deck Shoes

When it’s hot outside, I mostly wear loafers and deck shoes. I love unlined suede loafers as they make every outfit look a bit more elegant, but also slightly more casual at the same time. But when I want to add a really relaxed vibe to my outfit, I always go for white canvas deck shoes. To me, they’re the ultimate summer footwear. That’s probably why, in my eyes, they make every outfit feel even more relaxed - they signal that you’re easygoing and carefree.
My favorite model is from Asahi, because to me, they have the perfect shape. The Moonstar for Buck Mason pair is also very nice, and recently John Simons released their own model, called the 55 Shoe, which is made in England by Goral, and it looks great too. There are a few other solid options, which you can find on this list.

Light-toned Belts

Summer calls for wearing lighter colors, which can sometimes be tricky to accessorize, so having a couple of light-colored belts can be a lifesaver. Imagine wearing a very light outfit with light colored loafers or white sneakers. If you use a dark belt, it will stand out too much. But if you have one in a lighter color, you have two options for how to wear it: tonal, to match your trousers, or contrasting, to match your shoes. Matching it with your shoes can often be tricky, so having options that match your trousers is always a good idea. This off-white rhino leather belt from Sartolane is a perfect match for off-white summer trousers. The beige suede option is also very versatile and not too hard to match, while t he cognac suede version is a beautiful summer shade, but a bit harder to match perfectly.

Summer Sales

Most quality brands with timeless collections rarely offer discounts, but during sale season, it’s possible to find some great deals. If you’re looking for something specific and want to get the best value, it’s always smart to shop for the season ahead, so when it’s time to change your wardrobe, you won’t feel the urge to buy something new, because you’ll already be prepared.

But since many sales are already live, you can also look for items that improve your current wardrobe, as we still have at least two months of summer left. And remember: when you buy timeless, quality pieces, they’ll last you for many years. If you're interested in summer sales, you can check out the list I put together here.

Zach Bryan

I’ve been in my country music era since the end of last year, and I have to admit, the more new artists I discover, the more I like it. Some of the songs touch my soul in a way that almost no other genre can. I’m still pretty new to this type of music, so I’m slowly discovering artists that I like. A couple of weeks ago, I found Zach Bryan and his music really touched me, especially “Heading South” and “River Washed Hair.” There’s something about these two songs that really moves me, so I wanted to share them with you. And if you have any suggestions for similar music, feel free to reply to this email or send me a DM on Instagram.

Is there anything that caught your attention this month? Let me know in the comments.