Put This On

As promised, here’s a casual shot of Igor from Russia.  I love the Spring Courts with no socks, the high hem on the khakis, and the boldly-colored, well-fit polo.  These are simple elements, but everything’s impressively executed.  The result is a casual outfit that’s still striking.

Another simple combination of blue jacket and neutral pants for summer, this one from Igor in Russia.  The white buttons and hacking pockets on the coat give a little extra interest.  I’ll post a nice casual shot of Igor tomorrow for a bit of contrast.

Jamison is the founder of the wonderful clothing company Howard Yount, and as ever he is the very model of relaxed elegance.  Another in our growing list of lovely summer looks.  Again, just a simple, solid-colored linen sportcoat, no tie, a practical hat and a good fit.

Nii Ayikwei, pictured above, lives in Atlanta, where it’s hot as Hades this time of year.  He deals with it by wearing tropical-weight wool, which wears quite cool.  Speaking of cool - I like the cool tones in the palette of this outfit.  Makes you feel like summer is somehow manageable.

Another wonderfully put-together hot weather look, this time from Andrew in Atlanta.  The palette here is very simple - khaki and blue.  Looks like a linen jacket (and a lovely one at that).  I think the cool tones in the upper half of the body are a nice, calming summer look.  They also calm down the bow tie, which is nice.

Greg from Arizona is one of my favorite hot weather dressers.  Here he’s wearing tropical-weight patterned wool trousers, which he’s balancing with a dark blue sport coat and plain white shirt.  I’m presuming that that coat doesn’t have a full lining.  Unless you’ll be outside for a long stretch of time, a lightweight coat will often keep you cooler than short sleeves, by keeping your flesh out of the sun.  Tropical-weight wool also wears surprisingly cool.  Of course, since most of us spend most hot days in a climate-controlled environment, covering your arms and legs serves the secondary purpose of keeping the AC chill off the skin.

A few of the gentlemen at a recent StyleForum meetup in San Francisco… anchored by our pal Will from A Suitable Wardrobe.  Class acts, folks.

Jeffrey from San Francisco in an outfit that’s both carefully put together and pleasantly relaxed.  Summer style doesn’t have to be slovenly.

Another real man dressed well today.  This time it’s Alan, from “the heart of America,” wearing a summer hat by Vintage Silhouettes. 

People often write asking how to wear a hat without looking like a goofus.  Alan’s demonstrating it here.  You have to start by wearing a high-quality hat (tough to find these days).  It should suit your head.  Most importantly: it should be functional.

Here, Alan’s keeping the hot summer sun off of his head, something anyone can relate to.  In winter, he might wear a felt hat to keep the rain and wind away.  Wearing a hat when it’s functional is the easiest way I know to wear a hat without looking like a cosplayer.

Rob from Brooklyn in a charming casual summer outfit.  Nothing wrong with taking your coat off and rolling up your sleeves when it’s hot.  Nice to have a coat on hand, though, so that when you step back inside you can finish your look.