The mere thought of wearing tailoring in the stifling heat of summer can cause even the most hardened of men to break out in hives – stiff, starched collars, weighty fabrics, suffocating tie knots and, of course, the sweating, oh the scarily profuse sweating. But no matter what the occasion or your company’s dress code, there are ways to ensure you don’t spend the day constantly mopping your forehead. Follow these easily executed styling tips and you’ll be well on your way to seasonal sartorial comfort.
Go Sans Sock
Simple. All you’ve got to do is whip off those pink argyle fancies and slip your sock-free appendages into your freshly polished loafers, right? Wrong. There are two important things to remember before you start emptying the contents of your sock drawer into a refuse sack: Firstly, although it is a versatile look and can be styled in an abundance of ways, going sockless is not, and never will be – in this writer’s humble opinion – suitable for a particularly formal environment. Traditional eveningwear or a boxy office suit will jar hideously with this modern and laid-back styling technique. Instead, try a thinner sock in 100 per cent cotton that matches your trouser leg. Secondly, and most importantly, don’t ditch the socks entirely. “Never go properly sockless,” says Dean Gomilsek-Cole, Head of Design & Product Development at Turnbull & Asser. “Find some good invisible socks instead; otherwise you’ll get tacky feet from leather-lined shoes.” Not to mention the hygiene issue. A gradual build-up of sweat that’s got nowhere to escape will inevitably lead to smelly feet (and shoes). Hit the high street for a quick fix, or – if you’re blessed with larger feet that won’t always fit a standard pair of no-shows – then consider Falke. For a few pounds extra, the brand’s nifty anti-slip silicone grip socks are a worthy investment.
- Falke Step Invisible Cotton-blend Socks
- Pantherella Invisible Footlet Socks
- Hugo Boss Stay-on Shoeliner Invisible Socks
- He By Mango 2 Pack Invisible Socks
- Topman Grey Invisible Liner Socks
- Pringle No Show Trainer Socks In 3 Pack
Flash The ‘Mankle?’
To truly embrace your sockless trotters in all of their naked glory, a cropped trouser and low-rise shoe are the ideal accompaniments. Allowing for increased exposure to the open air, a pair of cropped suit trousers is a sure-fire way to keep cool in tailoring – but be careful not to go too short, says Gomilsek-Cole: “Showing about an inch of ankle is acceptable; don’t go any higher though, or you’ll look like you’re trying a little too hard. A trouser leg that is cropped too short will also give the adverse illusion of shorter legs too.” If you can’t find trousers cropped to the correct length off the peg, then take the time to visit a tailor you trust and have yours adjusted. If you’re over six feet in height, ask for a narrow turn-up to be put in.
Lessen The Fabric Load
Ever wondered how those slick Milanese types saunter through a sweltering piazza in a three-piece suit without so much as breaking a solitary bead of sweat? How do our Italian cousins do it? It’s all in the fabrication. “Crisp linen, Cool Wool and wool-mohair blends work particularly well in the summer,” suggests Sean Dixon, Managing Director at Richard James. These comparatively lightweight fabrics are much more breathable and help avoid those unsightly sweat patches.
Key Styles
A linen-blend suit can be found in most good high street retailers, with Spanish retailer
- Reiss Shannon B Slim-fit Blazer Stone
- Suitsupply Hudson Blue Plain
- Austin Reed Contemporary Fit Linen Jacket
- Burberry London Blue Slim-fit Cotton Suit
Final Word
Wearing a suit in the summer shouldn’t feel like an obscure form of torture. Armed with these simple guidelines, you’ll see that your suit can be just as versatile year-round, so long as a little more consideration is made for fabrics, construction and colours. How will you style yours for the summer? Any tips for sporting tailoring hassle-free once it starts to heat up? Comment below to let us know.
