Summer Plans? Here's How To Dress Sharp And Stay Cool

Forbes

31-05-2025

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 21: Alex Badia wears black sunglasses, a white shirt, a gray linen tie, a gray ... More matching linen blazer jacket, gray matching suit pants, gold and silver bracelets, a silver watch, a gold chain bracelet, during the Bluemarble show, during Paris Fashion Week Menswear Spring Summer 2023, on June 21, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by)
With Memorial Day behind us, the unofficial start of summer is underway. But with it comes the uncomfortable reality that dressing well gets trickier as the temperatures rise. Staying cool while looking sharp isn't always easy—especially with weddings, graduations, and vacations on the horizon. Now's the time to start shopping for the best way to dress this summer.
To paraphrase Aristotle, the whole of a suit is often greater than the sum of its parts. That's largely because suiting is made up of two distinct components: the jacket and the trousers. Each one plays a crucial role in shaping your overall silhouette—and they need to be in conversation with each other for the look to truly work.
When it comes to dressing for summer, this idea becomes even more important. Unlike the standard black or navy suits that carry you through most of the year, summer tailoring doesn't follow a strict blueprint. That means every decision—whether it's the cut of the jacket, the fabric of the trousers or something as small as choosing to wear socks—has a bigger impact. And when temperatures rise, the line between 'refined' and 'disheveled' becomes much easier to cross.
For summer tailoring, breathability should be a top priority. It's best to set aside trimmer, more structured suits until the weather cools down, and instead opt for an unlined jacket paired with trousers that offer a bit more room. A relaxed cut not only keeps you cooler but also feels more in step with the season's ease. As Dan Trepanier of bespoke tailoring shop Articles of Style puts it, 'Guys are tired of the very slim and tapered pants—a wide leg is no longer more romantic, but breathes much better.'
But cut is only half the battle. Most suit jackets come fully lined, which adds unnecessary insulation and traps body heat—hardly ideal when temperatures soar. Emily Young Zimmerman, founder of the custom clothing brand Label, often encourages her clients to choose a more weather-appropriate construction. 'I always recommend going with something unstructured or half-lined,' she says. 'It makes such a difference in the heat—lighter, more breathable and just more comfortable overall. You still look sharp, but without feeling like you're melting.'
Lastly, consider the style of suit itself. A single-breasted jacket remains a safe, versatile choice that works across nearly every summer occasion. It's streamlined, flattering and won't overwhelm in the heat. A double-breasted suit, while stylish, carries extra fabric across the chest that can make it feel overly warm during the height of summer.
Irish Linen Trouser by Articles of Style
Even with the right suit construction, without choosing the right fabric, all that effort to stay cool is for nothing. During summer, the options are limited to a few core fabrics that don't retain heat and look stylish for the season: linen, seersucker and tropical wool.
Linen easily reigns supreme during the hotter months. With its organic texture, lightweight weave and natural color palette, it carries a charm that cotton often can't replicate. Linen suits are typically unlined, lending a slouchier, more relaxed silhouette that suits the fabric's breezy nature. Still, the inevitable wrinkles can leave some feeling like it's not as polished as their usual go-to. While that may be true to an extent, there's a certain ease—and elegance—in linen's imperfections that can, and should, be embraced.
Luckily, for those looking to invest in a linen suit, there are options at every price point and in a range of styles. For a more classic approach, Proper Cloth's linen Bedford suit blends traditional tailoring with breathable linen in a variety of neutral tones. J.Crew's long-standing favorite, the Ludlow suit, offers an off-the-rack option that's durable enough for regular wear—ideal for anyone seeking a more budget-friendly pick. Similarly, The Tie Bar's Lakeshore linen suit is a no-frills choice that makes getting dressed in summer a little easier. For a more casual look with separates that can be mixed and matched, Alex Crane offers some of the most versatile linen pieces on the market. And for those interested in going bespoke, brands like Cad & The Dandy, Brooks Brothers and Hockerty all provide customizable linen suiting to suit your individual needs and budget.
Alternatively, seersucker remains a steadfast warm-weather favorite—especially for those who appreciate a touch of New England preppiness. With its signature rippled texture and lightweight construction, seersucker brings all the personality of linen but with a bit more structure. While linen often leans into muted, neutral tones, seersucker holds color well, making it an ideal option for those who feel most at home in classic navy or black. Like linen, it's available at a wide range of price points and in various styles. Contemporary brands like Buck Mason and Taylor Stitch offer modern takes on the fabric, while J. Press and The Armoury embrace more traditional, heritage-inspired designs.
Lastly, tropical wool may sound like an oxymoron, but it's a warm-weather favorite among designers like Dan Trepanier. As he explains, 'For a more classic suit, a great option is tropical wool. A lot of people have this misunderstanding of wool—it can actually be the lightest and most breathable textile.' For those seeking a suit that's a bit more polished than linen or seersucker, tropical wool offers the perfect middle ground. Both Articles of Style, Trepanier's own brand, and Todd Snyder offer refined takes in this fabric, ideal for summer events that call for something elevated yet breathable.
The Armoury Spring/Summer 2025 Linen City Hunter III Jacket
The final element for warm-weather dressing is choosing the right accessories. For Perry Ellis' creative director, Michael Millie, the best warm-weather accessory is anything vibrant and colorful. 'Don't hesitate to incorporate bold, unexpected prints with formal wear, balancing traditional elements with personal style for a look that's both respectful and distinctive.' This can be through something as traditional as a tie (think a floral one, like this option from Eton) to something a bit more irreverent, like a pocket square (British designer Paul Smith has a variety to choose from). Having an eye-catching element can help break up the monotony of an otherwise neutral color palette.
To balance out a pop of color in your summer tailoring, it's best to keep your accessories on the more traditional side. Stick with neutral tones—especially when it comes to belts and shoes—and lean toward browns rather than blacks, which create a softer, less stark contrast against lighter fabrics and bolder hues.
When it comes to footwear, loafers are the go-to choice. Few brands have gained steady traction in recent years quite like Sabah, known for their handmade slip-ons inspired by traditional Turkish designs. Their laid-back silhouette pairs especially well with more relaxed summer suiting. For a more classic take, both Blackstock & Weber and Ferragamo offer a wide range of loafers, from sleek penny styles to chunkier lug soles, depending on your taste. And for those drawn to minimalism with a slightly avant-garde edge, French shoemaker Jacques Solovière strikes that perfect balance.
MILAN, ITALY - JUNE 17: A guest wears black sunglasses, a white shirt, a blue / brown / beige pearls ... More long necklace, a beige blazer jacket, white latte suit pants, dark blue shiny leather with silver logo buckle loafers from Salvatore Ferragamo, outside Dolce & Gabbana, during the Milan Fashion Week - Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 on June 17, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by)