Summer is here, and it’s time to revamp your wardrobe with attire that keeps you looking sharp, yet comfortable in the heat. The question remains: what should gentlemen wear in the summer?
With the following ten tips, you’ll discover the best summer wardrobe staples for gentlemen to elevate your style and keep you looking suave all season long.
From breathable fabrics to smart accessories, these tips will have you looking your best, no matter the occasion. So, let’s dive into the world of summer fashion and explore the essentials of what to wear in the summer.
DISCLAIMER
At Midway Gentleman, we independently research, review, and recommend products we like and believe you’ll find appealing. Our recommendations are rooted in genuine belief, giving you confidence when purchasing any suggested item. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links – at no extra cost to you.
You may also like
- Casual Wardrobe Essentials for the Best Outfits for Men
- How to Buy the Perfect Shoes: Tips to Make the Best Decision
- How to Pick Your First Date Outfit as a Man
What Should a Gentleman Wear in the Summer?
1. The Right Fabric
Before you start thinking about any clothing item, we have to clarify one thing: one of the most important factors of summer style is picking the right fabric. Lightweight and breathable fabrics are ideal to wear in the summer, ensuring you stay comfortable in the heat.
Whether it is your pants, shirt, or pair of shoes, you need to pick breathable fabrics. For shoes, thick leather shoes aren’t the best option for summer. Instead, try to find a pair with either thinner leather or one with holes – or ditch leather in general and pick one made of a lighter, mash material.
When you look for a new pair of pants, try to avoid thick jeans and look for a thin pair of trousers instead. We made a separate article covering the different fabrics for different weather – although the article is about suits, the principles are generally true for other garments as well.
2. Summer Accessories
One of the easiest ways to make your summer outfit more interesting is with accessories. Put on a stylish bracelet, a necklace, or a ring. The key here is minimalism – try to keep your accessories clean and subtle – don’t wear a ring on each finger, and don’t mix multiple necklaces.
Two bracelets can look good next to each other but keep them on one arm. One arm should have the watch on and the other the bracelet.
3. A Stylish Watch
As stated many times before and in the previous point, accessories are essential this summer. I like to talk about watches separately from accessories because watches are one of the fundamental pieces that every man should wear, no matter the style of his outfit.
4. Well-Fitting Swim Shorts
Swim shorts are an underrated piece of clothing for men, but once you buy a new pair of high-quality shorts, you will think about them differently. When you go to a beach this summer, you will see so many boring or out-of-fashion swim shorts that ruin the whole image of a man.
Be different, invest in a quality pair, and be the most stylish guy on the beach this summer. Read one of our previous articles about one of the best shorts we’ve ever tested.
5. A Breathable Hat
One essential item to wear in the summer is some sort of hat to shield your face from the sun. Whether it is a casual cap or a more traditional hat, you need one for the summer.
The weather and UV exposure are getting stronger year by year. You need to wear something that protects your head. With the right hat, you can prevent sunburn or dizziness caused by sunburn.
6. A Stylish Pair of Shoes
As already mentioned in the first point about fabrics, picking the right shoes is one of the hardest parts of making your summer outfit. Summers are getting warmer and warmer, so finding a shoe that is comfortable and breathable is not an easy task.
If you choose leather shoes for the summer, make sure they are perforated so they are more breathable.
Sandals and open-toed shoes are comfortable and stylish options to wear in the summer to keep your feet cool and fresh.
7. Lightweight Shirts
Light-colored shirts made with lightweight fabrics like linen are the perfect choice for summer. Whether you’ll wear them with shorts or trousers, a linen shirt is an ideal option for this summer.
If you pick the correct fabric for your shirt, it doesn’t matter if it is a long or short-sleeved shirt, you will feel comfortable, and your outfit will be breathable. If you’d like to learn more about fabrics, read our article about the best suit fabrics.
8. No-Show Socks
Summer is the time to wear less clothing. It’s time to take away your long socks for fall and winter. For me, summer is the only appropriate time for men to show their ankles with their trousers. No-show socks are a must for shoes such as the loafer or stylish low-top sneakers.
If the native advertisement doesn’t appear, click here to buy: Amazon
9. The Right Sunglasses
There’s no better time to put on your sunglasses than in summer. The sun is constantly up, and the only way to protect your eyes from the sun’s damage is to wear a pair of sunglasses. It’s a must in my summer EDC.
It’s advisable to wear sunglasses in the summer to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. I won’t leave the house without my sunglasses. It is a summer essential – especially if you have to drive a car.
10. White T-shirt or Polo
In general, white clothing is the best choice for summer, and there are no exceptions for your tops as well. One of the best items for summer is a great white T-shirt or polo. Tucking in your polo can also add a touch of class to your outfit.
11. Optional – White Trousers
Finally, it is optional since the color white can be intimidating for many men, but white is one of the best colors to wear in the summer.
My tip: you should consider wearing white or light colored clothes in summer because they reflect most of the sun’s heat and absorb very little, helping to keep your body cool. I prefer to wear black or dark-colored clothes in winter as dark clothes absorb most of the sun’s heat and keep your body warm.
Wearing a Suit in Summer
Technically, you can wear a suit in summer, and there are a lot of fabrics like cotton or linen that are perfect for that, but… no matter how lightweight your clothes are, you should try to wear as few items as possible.
Take off the suit jacket and rock the outfit with only a stylish linen shirt and a pair of loafers. If you wear it with a clean watch, it will be even acceptable for the office.
Conclusion
Mastering summer style is about selecting lightweight fabrics, embracing breathable designs, and opting for a palette that complements the season. Accessorize wisely, and adapt attire to occasion. These ten + one tips ensure any gentleman stays effortlessly refined in the heat.
Finally, consider the occasion and location when deciding what to wear in the summer. While casual outings may call for shorts and a polo shirt, more formal events may warrant lightweight linen suits or dress shirts with lightweight trousers.
Keep on reading: The 10 Best Suit Accessories That Will Improve Your Style
