Men's Summer Outfits
Summer outfits for heat that does not let up: linen shirting, lighter trousers, and shorts that read as clothing rather than beachwear.
155 outfits · new looks added every day
How to put a summer outfit together
Most summer wardrobes are built for a warm day and have nothing in them for genuine heat. The difference is not fewer clothes, it is different cloth: loose, light and natural, cut so the fabric is not sitting against the skin.
Linen shirting is the whole foundation. Worn open over a tee, or on its own with the sleeves pushed up, it works from morning to evening and looks better creased. Underneath, a lighter trouser in linen or cotton, or a tailored short that ends above the knee. Footwear can be a leather sandal, an espadrille or a suede sneaker, but not a slide once you are away from the water. Keep the palette in sand, cream, faded blue and olive, all of which handle strong sun without going grey.
Every look is complete, with each piece linked to the brand that sells it.
Questions people ask
What should men wear in hot weather?
A loose linen or open-weave cotton shirt, a lighter trouser or a tailored short, and a breathable shoe. Loose natural fabric beats less fabric: an open linen shirt is cooler than a tight cotton t-shirt.
Are shorts acceptable outside the beach?
Tailored shorts are, if they are flat-fronted, end just above the knee and are worn with a proper shirt and a real shoe. Swim shorts and above-the-thigh cuts stay near the water. Longer, baggier shorts tend to make the whole outfit read as sportswear.
What colours work best in summer?
Sand, cream, off-white, faded blue and olive. They reflect rather than absorb, they suit strong light, and they all combine with each other, so a small summer wardrobe goes a long way. Black absorbs heat and looks heavy in bright sun.