Summer Wardrobe Options – Men's Style Tips
In Fashion, Stylish Dress & Sport Shirts for Casual and Formal Wear
May 15, 2009
The most important things to consider when narrowing down ones wardrobe for the summer months are very simple to keep in mind, the three Cs being a useful mnemonic for remembering. Colour, Comfort, and Cut are the primary factors that should influence any gentleman's decisions when purchasing summer wardrobe items – they are of supreme importance for a variety of reasons.
The Importance in Puchasing Fitted Cut, or Tapered Shirts
For men of average or slim build, tapered or fitted shirts are an absolute must for both casual and formal wear during the summer. One of the most obvious reasons is that it is less common for men to be wearing a jacket or a blazer during the hotter months, and as such your shirt will be on display much more frequently without the aide of a suit jacket or leather to conceal a baggy, loose, or ill fitting cut. Further, looser shirts tend to bunch, shift, and generally place a great deal of discomfort on the wearer – especially if perspiration is a factor.
Cut is also important in the general sense – trimmer shirts will in turn make the wearer appear more fit and more fashion conscious. Baggy shirts are the hallmark of mediocre men's fashion everywhere and are more detrimental to maintaining a professional image than any other aspect regarding dress or sport shirts.
Staying Cool Under the Hot Summer Sun – Comfort and Fabric
Fabric choice is of supreme importance when choosing summerwear garments. Men would do very well indeed to choose fabrics comprised of lightweight, thinner cottons as well as linen shirts, which are gaining popularity in leaps and bounds after being regarded as to "hippy" or "old-fashioned" during much of the 1990's. Polyester garments and even polyester/cotton blends (typically 60/40 in composition) are extremely suspect during the summer months due to their inability to breathe and wick moisture away from the body and should be avoided if at all possible.
Linen is a great choice, and likely the ultimate in comfort – especially if purchased in a lighter colour that will also reduce heat absorption from direct sunlight. Lightweight, flexible, and extremely breathable; linen is the perfect spring and summer fabric choice in sport or dress shirts as well as in blazers. The only drawback to linen garments is that they typically wrinkle very easily, so it is advised that gentlemen take the time to become intimately familiar with ironing their own clothes in order to avoid a large laundering bill (or a very displeased partner!)
Colour and Aesthetics, Staying Sharp
The upcoming summer season, like the previous few years preceding it, is all about bright and bold colouration in all types of men's garments – from neckties to dress and sport shirts to jewelry and accessories. Turkish blue or aqua shirts are a mainstay during the summer months in many southern climates.
Bright pistachio green dress shirts are skyrocketing in popularity in recent months, as well as ivory and chickadee yellow. Pastels are also a wonderful notion in that they may be better suited for less assertive or outgoing men while retaining the playful spirit and colouration that best befits the season.
Black, grey, olive, and navy are all colours that should be avoided during the summer – they are far too staid for the season and one will want to avoid anything drab or conservative during the most liberal of fashion seasons.
By keeping these three Cs in mind – Cut, Comfort, and Colour, a gentleman will be much better prepared to make appropriate purchases that will not only be bright and attractive but also bearably cool and comfortable during those long business meetings or even longer strolls along the boardwalk or beachside.
Other Articles Discussing Men's Fashion and Style Trends
- Contrast Collars & Cuffs, European Styling
- Custom Made Dress Shirts, ShirtsMyWay.com
- What to Wear for Men : The Wedding
 |
