3 essential summer items every guy should have in his closet, according to a stylist
- Summer heat can be a drain on creativity.
- While it can be tempting to stick to repeating the same t-shirt and shorts over and over again, Thread stylist Freddie Kemp has some alternatives.
- Fitted shorts, a patterned short-sleeved shirt, and decent sunglasses are the keys to summer style perfection.
It's hard to stay stylish in the oppressive summer heat.
High temperatures have even the most sartorial gentlemen dressing like their dads in sandals and loose t-shirts - but it doesn't have to be this way.
Thread stylist Freddie Kemp said there are three essential pieces all guys should have in the closet that will help keep them cool (literally and fashionably) all summer long.
1. Fitted shorts
There's nothing worse than a guy in baggy shorts - apart from maybe cargo shorts (what are you even doing with all those pockets?).
So how high should your shorts rise?
"For me, the sweet spot is about an inch above the knee," Kemp says. "Push yourself and go for a shade you may not have considered before (pale blue, mint green for example; pastels are always a good place to start) or even go for a striped pair of seersucker fabric."
Tailored shorts will also be one of the most versatile items in your closet. "They're like suit trousers that have been snipped off, which means they go with everything from a blazer to a t-shirt," says fellow Thread stylist Alexander McCalla.
"They should fit slim, but not skinny, so there's an inch or two of fabric around your thighs," he says, meaning your legs will have room to breathe.
For maximum versatility, McCalla recommends pairing your shorts with an Oxford shirt (pictured above), which is appropriate for most workplaces, drinks with friends, and even holidaywear.
2. A patterned, short-sleeved shirt
A bold, short-sleeved shirt "instantly lifts your wardrobe," Kemp says.
At a time when most people are melting in plain t-shirts, you can break through the mould with a vibrant short sleeve - camp collars are especially in vogue at the moment.
Kemp advises a pattern comprised of a couple, maximum three, colours.
"The aim isn't as much colour as possible, but eye-catching colour that complements staple shades like navy and grey.
"You'll be surprised how well these style with your classic chinos and jeans."
It's important not to go overboard on the patterns, though, or you'll end up looking like you're wearing a novelty shirt.
"You want a pattern to be interesting, but not a punchline," Thread stylist Luke McDonald says.
3. Proper sunglasses
"By this, I mean not a £5-£10 [$7-13] pair you don't mind leaving by the pool," Kemp says.
People look at your face all day, "so it's worth investing the time and money to get the right shape and style for you," he adds.
"Finding frames that suit your face shape is important because otherwise, they can be jarring," says Thread stylist Millie Rich. "Just like horizontal stripes can widen you, something like round frames on a round face can make you look all out of proportion."
Check out the best type of sunglasses for your face shape here.