The heat is arrived, which makes the weekend version of you very happy. Where you might find yourself limited, though, is in your work wardrobe. While your structured wool suits look great in the fall and winter, they can be a challenge to wear all day when it’s hot outside.
Summer is also synonymous with wedding season, and as any guy who’s sweat their way through a ceremony and reception will know, it’s important to recognize that a summer suit is very different from one you might wear at another time of year. If you haven’t yet spent a wedding or workday overheating, let us spare you that uncomfortable experience by taking a look at our suggestions for the summer suits that will do you best below.
Whether you’re headed to an important meeting or a big day with friends and family, here’s what you should look for in a summer suit.
Fabric Types
- Linen Blends
Summer suiting can be a bit of a conundrum – you need your look to be tailored and structured, but the material can’t be so stiff that there’s no air flow. This is where a linen blend comes in to save the day. When mixed with wool, cotton or silk in various percentages, linen allows for breathability in your suit, but since it’s not 100% linen you won’t lose the structure or end up getting too wrinkled when you have sit for parts of the day.
- Seersucker Suits
Given the climate, it’s not surprising that seersucker fabric was developed in the southern United States. This lightweight fabric, which often comes in a light pinstripe pattern, has a recognizably dimpled texture, known as puckering, and is made entirely of cotton. Despite its soft base, seersucker still manages to look refined and tailored, offering a southern charm to the wearer that fits perfectly with a summer wedding. Look for seersucker suits in light colours, such as grey and blue, or patterns like pinstripe or a light checkered material.
- Cotton Twill
Depending on where you’re headed – perhaps a more casual wedding, or maybe it’s a relaxed summer Friday at the office – cotton twill can be a great option for a summer suit. As its name would suggest, this fabric is entirely cotton and has a very lightweight, thin look to it. You’ll probably want to avoid wearing it to a super important meeting with the higher-ups, and for a black-tie wedding it’s a definite no-go, but if a light, casual look is what you’re going for, cotton twill can be a great, breathable option.
Patterns and Colours
- Bright Blue
Blue suits have become a big trend in menswear in recent years, and for good reason. They make everyone look great, regardless of skin tone or hair colour. As a young, fresh-looking colour, blue suits also tend to come in more trendy cuts, which helps the wearer take on the same qualities. Instead of just limiting yourself to basic navy, try a brighter shade of blue, perhaps more in the cerulean or cobalt range of the colour spectrum. Paired with lighter, summery pieces – like a light-coloured shirt or light brown shoes – a blue suit can really help you stand out while looking perfectly suited for the season.
- Light Grey
A dark grey wool is a popular option for a fall or winter suit, but in the hotter months you should give its lighter cousins a try. Instead of a heather or charcoal grey, try looking at a smoky or silvery grey suit, perhaps in a subtle pattern. Grey suits look particularly great with brighter colours in men’s fashion. Take this as an opportunity to wear those brightly coloured socks to your next meeting, or to try out that bold tie or pocket square in a noticeable pattern you’ve been wanting to wear. The light colour acts as a great base for more trendy or fashion-risk items to pop.
- Thin Lines
This is a wide-sweeping category that encompasses a whole range of patterns that look great in the summer. While the fall and winter might be the best time for heavy tartan or flecked wool suiting and wardrobe elements, summer’s light and airy atmosphere lends itself to thin stripes and checkered patterns.
Try out a checkered pattern with thin lines in complementary colours, like grey and white, or give seersucker in a railroad blue pinstripe a try. Seersucker also looks great in a small gingham pattern – but be sure to buy it in a fabric that puts gingham on a very small scale, so as to not draw comparisons a picnic blanket. A subtle pattern that only becomes apparent up close is great option, as the look of your suit will take on a different quality depending on distance.
This is your chance to wear some items that you can’t really break out year-round, so take the leap and go bold for summer.
Get in Touch
Whether it’s your turn to tie the knot, or you’ll be in attendance at a friend’s nuptials, or you need to impress at the office despite the heat this summer, it’s important that you look your best. Not only do we handle alterations, we also replace hardware including buttons and zippers, as well as seams and other damage. In the summer, it’s important to remember that people will likely be seeing the inside of your suit during the moments it’s appropriate to remove your jacket – make sure that the lining looks its best by bringing your suit in for service.
We also specialize in handling designer items, so you can rest assured that your high-end pieces will be in good hands.
For your summer suiting needs, reach out to our team at Love Your Tailor so that you can look your best for the important moments.
