What To Put On When It Heats Up

Acquired Taste, vol 8

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Tilda Swinton in A Bigger Splash

The days are already heating up which has even the most nattily attired questioning how to leave the house with their dignity intact. There are universal truths to beating the summer heat with style, none of which include crocs or athleisure wear.

There are a few exalted wardrobe heavy hitters with the ability to integrate into almost anyone’s wardrobe, including both women and men. Here are a handful of warm weather wardrobe mainstays that both Philip and I wear regularly.

1/ The Denim Shirt - There are very few items that flatter almost everyone. The denim shirt is one. It doesn’t matter where you fall on the color spectrum, denim has a chameleon effect that enhances all. But I’d feel like a fraud if I tried to pull off a western-style shirt, you say. Might I interest you, then, in a gorgeously tailored, pocketless button up in Thomas Mason denim? Denim doesn’t necessarily mean casual. It wears beautifully and can moonlight as a proper work shirt. Wear it loose in the summer.

2/ The Linen Shirt - Linen is subjected to as much unfounded fear and loathing as the common garden snake. Neither is going to kill you and both serve important functions. One provides pest control free of charge. The other might be the only way to get through the sweltering heat of summer. But the wrinkles! Embrace them. I lived over 40 years loathing linen and its inherent “messiness”. One summer and five tailored linen shirts later, and I can’t imagine my life without it.

The beauty of linen is that it creases in all the right places, giving it a patina of sun dappled days on the Riviera. Wrinkled linen is charming and, dare I say, sexy. Start with the shirt and fall in love with its summertime ease. I wear mine everywhere. Even as a cover-up to the pool. As your romance evolves, add a pair of linen trousers in the same color. Ivory linen from head to toe is divine. It provides the same dignified presence without the commitment of a full suit.

3/ Espadrilles - There are occasions when a sandal or a sneaker simply won’t fit the bill. More daring aesthetes will defiantly stick with their loafers or Belgians, during heat advisories, even with shorts. We realize that level of commitment is not for everyone.

Enter the espadrille. A shoe that, here in the States, is more popular with women than with men. Which is a shame, really, as they are the perfect lightweight shoe for the hotter months. Hey, JFK wore them, as did Hemingway and Bogart. We can personally recommend Manebi and Castaner. A more formal espadrille-adjacent look can be found in the linen Wilde Friulane slipper by Piedaterre.

4/ The Bandana and Neckerchief - Gone are the layers of autumn and winter and with them the multitude of styling options while maintaining a streamlined wardrobe. Enter neckwear. No, not a necktie. Not in this weather. Something lighter, breezier. Perhaps a silk and cotton bandana with a pattern that leans more Italian than American West. Or if one is seeking a bit of panache, the silk neckerchief. Tie it and forget about it. It’s nonchalance you’re after.

5/ The Gaucho/Polo Belt - Summer isn’t just about lightening up your clothing. It’s time to let loose with color and pattern. A Gaucho or Polo belt can bring a hit of spice without going the full Hawaiian shirt. You don’t need to spend a fortune. We bought ours for $75 at a local store. You can find many options by searching gaucho or polo belt.

6/ The Summer Hat - Semantics are everything here. Hat, not cap. Something woven. Aside from the obvious benefits of sun protection, a hat adds mystery to the wearer. Lower your chin and hide beneath the brim to avoid undesirable small talk. If you’re new to hat wearing, you may feel like a peacock spreading its feathers for the first time. By the fourth wear, any awkwardness will have dissipated. For men, Borsalino. For women, I’ve had luck with Lola hats. Ann Mashburn has a great selection of them.

And while we’ve linked to specific brands we’ve tried and loved, you can find many items secondhand on eBay and other sites, or vintage and consignment shops.

How do you beat the heat? Need recommendations for summer? Drop them in the comments.

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