Finding the right clothing for the summer season comes with some distinct challenges. So long as it’s hot outside, you have to find a way to balance style and fashion with keeping cool. Even the best possible outfit fails to impress when it leaves you covered in sweat and unable to keep cool. Fortunately, we’ve got some helpful men’s fashion tips on how to look your best in the summer while maintaining a cool, collected appearance.
Choose Summer-Appropriate Clothing Materials
The fabric you choose has a massive impact on your style options. To beat the summer heat, we recommend cotton, linen, and other lightweight fabrics. These fabrics help air circulate around your body rather than trapping hot air against your skin. Linen is one of the most breathable fabrics to wear in the summer, and subsequently, it can help you cool down on those seriously hot days.
Consider garments with fabric weaves since looser weaves can create more airflow, which is especially helpful when you’re spending time outdoors because it helps the air move around you. Oxford cotton shirts, chambray, and seersucker represent excellent examples of summer-friendly weaves that maintain professional appearance standards.
Master the Art of Proper Fit
How well your clothes fit can determine how well they regulate temperature. While looser garments can provide more airflow opportunities but they can also look unprofessional and disheveled. Meanwhile, clothes that are too tight can restrict airflow and feel hot, even if they feature a breathable fabric.
Ideally, you want to find a nice balance that allows for comfortable movement but doesn’t have fabric bunching around you. For shirts, try to avoid sleeves that squeeze around your arm or wrist and make sure the shoulder seam rests where your shoulder meets your arm. Remember to protect yourself from sunburns if you spend a lot of time outdoors, especially if you’re wearing shorter sleeves.
Summer pants or shorts should have a comfortable fit that doesn’t squeeze but doesn’t require a belt to stay in place. A helpful tip for shorts is to make sure they hit just at or above the knee to create a balanced shape that can work for casual or semi-formal summer gatherings.
Strategic Color Selection for Warm Weather
Another fashion tip for how to look your best in the summer is to stick with appropriate colors. Summer is a great time to wear lighter colors, which help reflect sunlight and keep you cooler.
Neutral shades like white or light blue are always good options, but you can also play around with a vibrant salmon color or a bold navy shade. These colors contribute to a clean, fresh appearance while regulating your body temperature and keeping the sun from soaking in too much. Elevated summer dressing requires attention to fabric quality, precise fit, and strategic color choices. Try to start with a minimal summer wardrobe of only a few garments and see how you can make them work together. Expanding your outfit gives you more opportunities to show off your style in professional or personal settings.