Gravitate Towards Gray
Dressing for work in the summer doesn't have to mean sweltering in a suit or being slovenly in sweats. Here, experts' tips for men on choosing the right clothes for hot weather.
Go Lighter and Brighter
Warm weather means not only lightening up on fabrics but also with colors. A sand-hued suit gives a nod to the season while still looking sharp and professional. Cotton poplin separates in khaki, olive, or washed black are good summer alternatives to suits.
Never Let Them See You Sweat
Don't let perspiration get the best of you when the mercury rises. Stick with barrel-cuff shirts in white. You can roll up your sleeves for maximum ventilation and the color masks unsightly damp spots.
Left: Shirt by John Varvatos; tie by Zegna. Right: Shirt and pants by Moschino; tie by Oliver Spencer; watch by Montblanc.
Get Shirty
Polo shirts make the grade for warm-weather attire in some office environments, but a too-tight fit attracts the wrong kind of attention. Choose one that isn't snug in the armholes or across the chest and keep a jacket on hand in case you need to smarten up during the workday.
Shirt by Uniqlo; suit by Jil Sander; belt by Zara.
Keep Your Socks On
Loafers are ideal office footwear for summer, but don't skip the socks. Instead, pair slip-ons with lightweight socks in the same shade as your trousers.
Left: Suit by Prada; shoes by Cole Haan; tie by Lanvin. Right: Pants by Prada; socks by Banana Republic; shoes by Cole Haan.
Know White Can Make Right
"Professional" doesn’t have to mean dull. For the more fashion-forward man, a white linen suit can function as a middle ground between conservative basics and such whimsical summer looks as seersucker or madras. Pure linen is very wrinkle-prone, though, so a linen blend is better for workday wear.
Suit by Michael Kors; sweater by Banana Republic.
Gravitate Towards Gray
A light-colored summer suit may be too casual for some office environments. In that case, stay with gray but look for half- or three-quarter-lined suits, which tend to breathe better. Assuming you choose a dark enough shade of gray, this suit will take you from spring through fall.
Suit and shirt by Zegna; tie by Lanvin.
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