Summer heat can convince many men to sacrifice appearance for comfort. That’s understandable, but it’s also unnecessary.
If you simply pay a little more attention to clothing fabric and material, then you can begin to make wardrobe decisions that elevate both your style and comfort levels. There are also other small adjustments you can make that will help you withstand hot temperatures.
Let’s walk through a few must-know style tips for how to stay cool this summer.
How clothes keep you cool - or trap warmth
Clothing can help regulate body temperature when worn properly and in-season. Some fabrics and styles keep us cool, while others help retain heat.
Pay attention to how air flows in your clothing. Heavier clothing fabrics will keep air close to your body and won’t let it escape. That’s great for winter, but not at all what you should be looking for in summer.
You also need to be aware of how much - or how little - an article of clothing protects your skin from the sun and keeps it shaded.
These are the best fabrics for summer styles
One of the most important aspects of choosing summer clothing, of course, is fabric.
First things first once summer rolls around, it’s time to rearrange your closets. Time for the heavier fall and winter styles and fabrics, such as heavier wools and flannels, to head toward the back until temperatures drop considerably.
These are the go-to fabrics that will help keep you cool.
Cotton: Light, year-round option
Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics come summer. It is soft, durable, breathable and you will find many different cotton blends and styles, including chambray, poplin, and jersey. Cotton is also very easy to care for should it get a touch too dirty.
However, if you will be spending time in a hotter environment, or if you tend to sweat more heavily, then cotton may not be your best choice. It absorbs moisture and won’t help you stop sweating or stay feeling cool once you start.
Linen: Very light, breathable
Like cotton, linen is always an excellent choice this time of year. It’s very lightweight, breathes well, doesn’t stretch and you will find many stylish clothing options made with linen.
Plus, linen actually gets softer with every wash, thanks to its open weave and natural fibers.
Linen can tend to wrinkle, though, so be on the lookout for that. Linen-cotton blends are great options for men who need their clothes to be wrinkle-free more often than not. Some men choose to leave those wrinkles alone, opting for a more relaxed but still stylish look.
Silk-linen is another blend you could choose to have on hand in the summer months, especially if you are looking for a more breathable blazer.
Seersucker: Allows room for airflow
Made from cotton, seersucker is a more slack fabric that hangs off your body rather than clinging to it. This creates more room for air to flow, which means less sweating and more comfort overall in the heat.
Shorts are commonly found in seersucker, but more and more suits made with this fabric are showing up nowadays.
Lightweight wool: Regulates temperature
Some lighter wool clothes, or those made of tropical wool, are great for summer because the fabric can help absorb sweat and then help it evaporate. This is perfect for men who want to try regulating their temperature a little more.
How clothes should fit in summer
The loose and baggy look has not be in style for a while now. But in the summer, it’s OK if you loosen up your look a little to allow for air to more easily flow away from your body.
If your clothes are too tight, you are going to feel even warmer.
Don’t go overboard, though. You want a sharp style with a silhouette that is more fitted than not. Consider going up just one size.
Choosing summer clothing colors
Many gentlemen who want to look sharp in summer won’t ever stray too far from the traditional favorites of white and light blue. Other subdued colors favored throughout the year still do well in summer, too, including navy, khaki and olive.
There’s nothing wrong with those colors - and they do keep you cooler than darker colors - but summer is similar to spring in that it’s a time of year when adding an extra splash of color can made a bold, stylish statement. Find a bright color that adds just enough color to provide a flash, but doesn’t overwhelm everything else you are wearing.
You could also go with a fun button-down shirt with a floral or other more adventurous print.
Let’s talk shorts and pants
Many men who want to look their best question when it is truly OK to replace slacks with shorts. While at work, the answer is likely not very often at all.
While on vacation or out for a round of golf with the guys, though, shorts are the perfect choice. Check the fabric of the shorts, though. Try to stick with linen, linen blends or cotton.
Also check to be sure you are not buying shorts that are too long or too short. Know how shorts should fit on your body type.
When shorts are not an option, though, go with chinos for pants that will help you stay cool in summer. Chinos are much better than heavier fabrics sometimes found in khakis and other dress pants. They still look sharp, too.
Shop Hansen’s Clothing for summer styles
Hansen’s Clothing is sure to carry summer styles that will both fit your sense of fashion and help keep you cooler. We carry a very wide variety of brands that offer great styles for every summer setting - casual, business casual and strictly business.
From dress shirts and pants that will keep you cool as you tackle the day’s business goals, to performance wear, polos and T-shirts that look great while you enjoy some leisure time with friends and family - Hansen’s Clothing has you covered this summer.