How to Up Your Spring and Summer Clothing Game

Photo by Emily Gummig

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, then spring arrived for you on Tuesday, March 20th. Summer will arrive shortly on Thursday, June 21st.

So now is the time to update your style with some classic warm-weather looks. Here are basic ways to get the job done. And remember, fit is always more important than price or label.

Suits

All cotton, all linen, or cotton-linen suits: tan or blue. Why?

Because tan is a classic color, and everyone looks better in shades of blue.

Pants / Jeans

All cotton khakis: light blue or tan; if you’re bold, consider rose and yellow.

Lighter shade and weight jeans: time to ditch or rotate out the black and indigo jeans.

Shirts / Polos

Striped tipped polos: casual or dressy, they'll look great when paired with a summer suit.

Short sleeve shirt: it should fit well, no baggy oversized cuts.

Short or long sleeve seersucker: classic light blue, red striped, or solid white.

Short or long sleeve linen shirts: and it’s okay… they’re supposed to look wrinkled.

Ties

Like all clothing, ties have seasons: use cotton, linen, or silk ties.

Shoes

White tennis shoes; leather, suede, or all canvas.

Tan, light brown dress shoes.

Tan, light suede shoes or chukka boots.

Shorts / Trunks

Shorts: 9” or 10.5” in length; not shorter or longer.

Swim trunks: 7” or 9” length, with sewn-in brief.

No cutoffs or man-capris.

Cutoffs are not for swimming; they’re of the devil and should be exorcised out of your wardrobe.

For more information about men’s clothing, check out:

• The Handbook of Style: A Men’s Guide to Looking Good - Esquire

• The Biggest Black Book Ever: A Man’s Ultimate Guide to Life and Style - Hearst Editions

• Off the Cuff: The Essential Style Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them - Carson Kressley