Summer Fabrics

Transitioning to summer fabrics using materials for the fall / winter months is an arduous journey that shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. Ever make the quintessential mistake of wearing clothes you picked up in November and find your body dripping in sweat? – welcome to wearing clothes with insulative properties that should have been reserved strictly for the winter months!

While we don’t expect your summer wardrobe to be a cross between southern sensibilities and the Jersey Shore, you get the point! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

Summer Fabrics should be about adopting clothing with looser weaves, allowing for more air and subsequently, fabric breathability. These properties will allow you to keep cool by preventing heat from being trapped – the inverse of functional clothing during the fall & winter seasons.

While a plethora of fabrics abound for the spring & summer seasons, the fabric staples mentioned below will help get you started and should, frankly, found the foundation of most of your summer wardrobe capsule.

Cotton

The granddaddy of summer fabrics, cotton will allow you to dress as comfortable as it comes. Comprising a large majority of summer staples found on retail shelves worldwide, cotton is extremely breathable and versatile. While the weave is tighter than linen, and hence, less breathable, it’s together weave properties ensures that it wrinkles less than the easily susceptible linen, all while providing breathable characteristics that are fabric pre-requisites for warmer months.

A clean summer look. Courtesy of www.lookastic.com

Common articles of clothing comprised of cotton, that are particularly suitable for spring / summer months include:

• Shirting
• Chinos & Shorts
• Summer Sport Coats & Suits

Linen

Playing a close to adjacent role to Cotton, Linen is an indispensable summer fabric that will have you looking and feeling incredibly chic & comfortable. Derived from the flax plant, linen is a common summer alternative to cotton.

As opposed to cotton, linen fabrics are comprised of a more open weave, providing more breathability. A notoriously popularized opinion of linen is that it wrinkles easily. And it unfortunately does. Hence, we suggest opting for linen / cotton blends – providing the breathability of linen while maintain some of the structural integrity of cotton.

A classically stylish men’s summer look. Courtesy of www.hockerty.uk

Some, however, could see the easy wrinkling of linen as an advantage, helping portray those relaxed summer sensibilities.

Popular uses of linen include:

• Button down dress / smart casual shirts, polos & t-shirts
• Shorts & Chinos
• Summer Suits & Sports Coats – ideal for maintaining that dapper look, with a relaxed, breathable feel to your aesthetic.

Wool

Before you let said fabric name throw you off – similar to cotton, there are lighter weight wools specifically designed for the summer months. With a breathable base that is still more tightly woven than linen, these are ideal for suiting as they allow you to feel airy while strutting a suiting fabric that is more immune to significant creasing.

A lightweight woolen suit is an ideal choice for the summer months! Courtesy of www.ninesparis.com

For those of you looking to remain dapper & well heeled during the summer months, a tropical lightweight woolen suit is your ideal go to, allowing you maintain that level of professionalism without needing the requisite level of patience for that enervating summer heat!

Summer Colors

So now that we have our base summer fabrics nailed down, how do we color coordinate our summer ensembles? As with any men’s capsule wardrobe, having a plethora of neutral colored options will always help – think browns, greys, olive greens, khakis and blues. Except, add a tint and turn those colors down a notch during the summer months by adopting lighter variants. Hence, lighter browns, lighter greys, lighter greens, lighter khakis and lighter blues.

A neutral color such as brown, paired with a light blue pastel t-shirt, makes for that perfect summer getup! Courtesy of www.askthegentleman.com

Complement these base lighter neutral colors with some darker neutrals for more pop, other lighter neutral colors or pastels such as light pink or lilac.

For those of you thrill seeking, adrenaline pumping, bright colored eyeing risk takers, we suggest opting for brighter colors such as brighter yellows, blues & oranges to fully encapsulate that summer spirit!

For those of you looking to go extra bold during the summer months! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

Summer Fit

Sometimes, it’s ok to buck conventional wisdom. Yes, ditching that streamlined fit that we have been advocating so strongly for during the rest of the year may seem like a deeply heinous crime, sacreligious even – but summer is one of the few times of the year where it’s perfectly acceptable to loosen up your fit.

How dare, you might say? Well, going for a more relaxed fit will allow your skin some room to breathe – an absolute imperative during those scorching summer days! Opt for a more relaxed cut t-shirt or button downs. Don’t shy away from straight cut shorts or pants – sometimes a streamlined look isn’t always ideal when your skin just needs room to breathe.

Nothing wrong with a more relaxed fit during the summer months! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

The Dark Knot Style Tip: The trick, when shopping for your summer gear, is to look for pieces that are of a relaxed fit, as opposed to going for a larger size. A relaxed cut garment will afford you more breathing room, but still be proportioned in the important areas, such as body and sleeve length. If going for a relaxed cut isn’t an option, opt for a slightly larger size as an absolute last resort!

Summer Staples

The following summer staples will allow you to build out an interchangeable wardrobe with a wide array of chic looks for those summer months.

Casual / Smart Casual

Summer months call for a stylish yet comfortable wardrobe.

T-Shirts

T-Shirts, your classic summer staple, especially when worn in pastels, are best offered in Puma / Supa Pima variants. These cotton t-shirts are derived from longer strand cotton fibers that are softer to the touch.

Quality cotton t-shirts can go a long way during the summer months. Courtesy of www.duer.ca

Linen & Cotton Shirts

On those enervating summer days, go for breathable linen or cotton shirts in either lighter neutrals, as mentioned above, or pastel colors such as light pink. Choose short sleeve shirts for a more causal look, with longer sleeved shirts providing a more refined aesthetic.

A stylistic linen shirt – the epitome of men’s casual summer wear! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

Polo Shirts

A summer wardrobe staple, polo shirts help ease the transition from casual to semi-formal settings. When opting for a polo shirt, go for a slim fit for a more tapered, modern aesthetic, or a slightly more relaxed fit if prioritizing comfort.

Courtesy of www.fruugonorge.com

Summer Shorts

Chino Shorts

Chino Shorts, derived from cotton or cotton blends, are a highly versatile summer staple. Offered in a range of colors, chino shorts are the perfect way to add some pizzazz to your summer style game, without much effort.

A well fitted pair of chino shorts, sitting at above knee level, can instantly elevate your style game. These are suitable for various casual or smart casual summer events, especially if paired with a smart button down short sleeve shirt!

Courtesy of www.theessentialmen.com

The Dark Knot Style Tip: When choosing the correct length of shorts, your sweet spot is to go for shorts that end approximately 1 to 3 inches above your knees. Any higher than that, and you’ll look like you’re trying a bit too hard. Anything past your knees, and you’re in Capri land!

Bermuda Shorts

Bermuda Shorts, also known as dress or city shorts, blend formality with casualness. Originating from the British Military, these shorts typically fall an inch above your knees.

Bermuda Shorts offer the perfect blend of casualness and formality! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

Highly versatile & offered in various fabrics, these shorts can be dressed up with a button-down shirt and loafers for a business casual look,or dressed down with casual flip flops for the weekend!

Tailored Shorts

Tailored Shorts offer that perfect summer polished look with the structure of fitted dress pants and the relaxed nonchalance of shorts. Ideally worn to dressier summer events such as a brunch or party, these pair particularly well with a polo shirt or button down shirts and loafers for that classic, summer style!

Tailored shorts can go a long way towards helping you look dandy during the summer! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

Pants

From casual settings to more formal occasions, having a versatile selection of men’s pants is imperative. Here are several options, depending on whether you are seeking something more summer chic or summer casual.

Linen Pants

Linen, a highly breathable fabric, is ideal for warmer conditions. Linen pants are light weight and looser fitting, making them absolutely ideal for those scorching hot days!

Few articles of clothing ooze summer vibes like a pair of well crafted linen pants! Courtesy of www.40colori.com

Seersucker Pants

Seersucker is a lightweight, crinkled, striped mostly) summer fabric comprising of puckered cotton. Seersucker fabric composition allows air into the material, allowing you, the wearer to keep cool in warmer conditions.

Courtesy of www.vineyardvines.com

Seersucker pants are ideal for the summer, given that they are lighter weight, comfortable and have a distinctive textured appearance!

Lightweight Denim

Go with a pair of lighter weight denim jeans with a faded wash for a more summery look! Thinner denim fabrics with a looser fit will allow for better ventilation.

Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

Chinos

Chinos provide huge stylistic points, in addition to being highly comfortable! Characterized by flat front / no pleats and a streamlined silhouette, these alternatives to traditional pants are great for dressing down a more formal ensemble or for dressing up something more casual. As with most things summery, a lighter weight pair of chinos will be your best bet during the warmer months.

A well fitted pair of chinos can work wonders during the summer months! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

Khaki Pants

Khaki’s, a classic summer choice, are typically derived from cotton twill and contrary to popular opinion, are offered in a variety of colors. Khaki pants can be dressed up or down for various occasions.

Men’s Casual Summer Accessories

Accessorizing your casual summer wear attire is most effectively and easily done with the use of bracelets! We will highlight three types of bracelets that we think are absolutely perfect for the summer months!

Beaded Bracelets

Beaded Bracelets, which have become the defacto men’s casual accessory in recent years, encompass a wide range of bead types including PVC, wooden and stone beads. If you determine that quality is of the utmost importance, natural stone beads are your perfect choice. Apart from their high quality craft, these beaded bracelets are typically offered in a variety of colors.

Beaded bracelets are highly versatile, given that they are worn in the right proportions. If you are looking to inject your casual style with a legitimate statement piece, beaded bracelets can make an immediate impression. Conversely, a more minimalistic and muted approach is best reserved for beaded bracelets in a more formal capacity. For example, muted colors with potentially one beaded bracelet would work best with a suit.

Beaded Bracelets provide the perfect opportunity to show off some flair! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

Leather Bracelets

Leather Bracelets, often considered the epitome of masculinity, are an excellent choice for expressing the appreciation of craftsmanship. Wider leather bracelets tend to ooze more masculinity, and so depending on the type of look that you are going for, opting for something wider could suit your preferred aesthetic.

Anchor Bracelets

Representing masculinity with a more relaxed vibe, anchor bracelets, with their nautical roots, exude that element of effortless chic. Men’s anchor bracelets consist of a length of leather fabric cord that is doubled and knotted. By sliding the knot, one can adjust the length of the bracelet.

Courtesy of www.etsy.com

Casual Summer Shoes

Minimalist White Sneaker

Yes, that highly versatile option everyone seems to be both strutting and raving above. Pair a minimalist pair with your casual summer gear, and you automatically have effortless chic points. Just do us a favor and opt out of the bold logo game. Clean, minimalism is the way to go.

Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

Espradilles

Espradilles are your perfect casual alternative to flip flops. The classic Spanish slip on made of canvas, with a distinguished rope sole, is ideal for summer months. Black, navy or tan espradilles are your most versatile options. Looking for something ultra summery? Go for a lighter grey or white!

Courtesy of www.bespokeunit.com

Brown Suede Loafer

Brown Suede Loafers can quickly become a man’s best friend during the summer months – a solid professional shoe that can also be dressed down during evenings or on the weekends. Offered in unlined variants during the summer months, these shoes can make for an extremely comfortable, breathable option during warmer months.

Courtesy of www.lookastic.com

Boat Shoes

No list of men’s summer shoes is complete without a mention of boat shoes. If you’re seeking a preppy yet relaxed look, opt for a pair of boat shoes! Characterized by a chunky non-slip rubber sole, distinguished lacing and a moccasin toe, boat shoes naturally exude a relaxed, nautical vibe. Pair these with tailored shorts and a linen shirt for that ultimate beach time summer look!

Courtesy of www.styledbysally.com.au

Summer Formal Wear

Summertime Suit Structure

Before we delve into the various options available for summer suits, examining the suit construction of a summer suit is of paramount importance. The construction of a suit will help determine its weight, texture and ultimately, breathability.

A half lined suit provides more breathability, making for a supreme spring / summer option! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com

The lining of a suit often determines the structure and rigidity of the jacket. While some will advocate for an unlined suit, we prefer opting for a half lined suit. This will allow your suit to breathe more easily, while also maintaining the structure typically associated with a conventional suit.

Partially lined suits provide a convenient midpoint between fully lined and unlined suits. These suits are typically lined in the arms and shoulders, and occasionally in the chest area. The back of the suit, however, is left unlined to deliver that much needed fabric breathability!

Woolen Suits

While men’s formal wear during winter months is typically accompanied by worsted woolen suits of a heavier construction, suits worn during the summer months, by necessity, require lighter variants of the same fabric.

So what is a worsted woolen suit? Most wools have been created from yarns that have been spun; a worsted wool suit is comprised of woolen fibers that have initially been straightened out on an individual basis and then twisted and spun together to comprise a yarn. These longer strands of yarn tend to create a finer and more durable grade of wool.

Heavier, winter appropriate woolen suits are typically constructed and designated with a lower super count – referring to the number of 560 yard long spools a pound of wool can yield (yes, I know it sounds absurd!).

Therefore, a ‘Super 80’ indicates that a pound of that specific wool could yield 80 spools, and a ‘Super 100’ could yield 100 spools. Essentially, this indicates that a higher super count refers to the fineness of the actual strands of wool. The higher the super count, the finer the wool, and vice versa. For this reason, winter months are best accompanied by a thicker wool / lower super count suit.

A higher super count woolen suit – perfect for those summer months! Courtesy of www.ninesparis.com

Contrary to popular convention, woolen suits can be adorned during the summer months. If you are looking to maintain a traditional, sleek woolen suit aesthetic, opting for a higher super count such as a ‘Super 150’ or ‘Super 180’ will allow your fabric to breathe easily and provide you with that requisite level of comfort during the warmer months!

Linen Suits

The granddaddy of relaxed, summer chic suits, linen is a lighter weight, breathable fabric that is ideally suited for spring & summer months. However, given that its major drawback is that it tends to crease easily, linen suits should be avoided during corporate settings! Hence, opt to strut your linen suits in less restrictive settings, such as a summer beach or day time country club wedding.

Your quintessential summer suits! Courtesy of www.hockerty.com

Linen suits, next to seersucker, provide for the ultimate, relaxed summer aesthetic. If you are intentionally seeking out that dapper paradox of relaxed sophistication, you have the option of selecting darker variants such as linen offered in charcoal grey or darker brown. While these can help elevate the level of formality for your summer looks – for that ultimate summer day time look, you are best off selecting lighter colors such as tan, creams and off-whites.

Seersucker Suits

A dapper staple in the southern gentleman’s wardrobe, seersucker suits have come to embody personal chic, providing a striking sophisticated yet relaxed debonair look. Popular on summer weekends, summer sporting events such as the Kentucky Derby or a relaxed country club rendezvous, a seersucker suit will ensure that you stand out.

So what exactly is a seersucker suit comprised of? The term seersucker hails from India, where it was known as ‘Shir O Shakar’, which in Persian translates to ‘Milk or Sugar’ alluding to the contrasting nature of the fabric – smooth yet crinkled.

Courtesy of www.frankstellanyc.com

Seersucker is a lightweight, crinkled, striped summer fabric comprised of puckered cotton. These stripes allow air into the fabric, helping one keep cool. When employed within the framework of a suit, seersucker can also be worn as a jacket!

Seersucker’s lightweight cotton properties make it ideal for that enervating summer heat, in addition to allowing for some striking color schemes! When accessorizing a seersucker suit, seek out patterns that are not too busy, so as to avoid a jarring combination arising from pattern clashing. This issue is essentially exacerbated if worn with a patterned shirt. If pairing your seersucker suit with a solid colored shirt, you will have more flexibility with respect to your choice of tie patterns.    

Pair your ensemble with a pastel colored or animal print silk tie for an injection of elegance and sprightly color scheme.

Cotton Suits

While cotton suits may appear as the default summer suit of choice for most men, a wide array of cotton suits available in the market do require a discerning eye. Ideally, you want to go for an open weave that will provide – yes you guessed it – more breathability. However,  a great litmus test with cotton is as follows: If you cannot see through the fabric when holding it up against the sunlight, you know that it is not an ideal summer fabric!

A dandy cotton summer suit! Courtesy of www.hespokestyle.com

Chambray Suits

Chambray, considered a close cousin to denim, happens to be a lighter weight cotton fabric, that while glossy, is also highly durable. Chambray Suits drape with easy, making them the ideal summer suit!

Courtesy of www.menguin.com

Summer Shoes For Suits

Looking for that perfect pair of summer shoes to strut your suit with?

If searching for a more polished worsted woolen suit with a higher super count, as alluded to earlier on, we suggest going with a darker or tan brown pair of oxfords – depending on the suit color. A darker suit will work best with a darker pair of brown shoes, while a lighter grey suit, for example, would be best complemented by a pair of tan oxford dress shoes.

If deciding to strut a cotton, linen or seersucker suit, we suggest taking down the formality level of your shoes by a couple of notches, and opting for a pair of derbies or brogues. These are generally not as conservative as a pair of oxford dress shoes, given their open lacing system.

Accessorizing A Summer Suit

In line with the rest of this article, accessorizing a summer suit necessitates a healthy mix of color and /or fabric variation.

While darker silk ties can be worn during the summer months, we would eschew those for lighter colors with a more friendly vibe. Cue pink, lilac or royal blue silk ties for that ideal summer inspiration!

The Dark Knot's Floral Cotton Tie Collection is ideal for the Summer Season!

From a fabric variation standpoint, nothing screams enervating summer heat dandy wear like a floral cotton or linen tie. With thinner interlinings and a more breathable fabric, these ties will sway with your half lined suit jackets as you strut yourself to that scorching blaze.

Courtesy of www.poszetka.com

Looking for something with potentially even more pizzaz? Cue the knitted tie. Knitted Ties, characterized by their square bottoms and open weave, are ideal for those convention defying summer months. Open, breathable, and displaying fashionable nonchalance all at once, these ties make for the perfect complement as the sun sets later and later into the year.

And that’s a wrap for this one. We hope that you have enjoyed reading this as much as we have writing it!