With the weather getting hot to the point where nearly every state can expect triple-digit temperatures, it’s time to start thinking about how to adapt well to summer styles. I struggle with this somewhat myself: sweaters, jackets, and the like are staples of my style, and doing summer style justice means looking good with a lot fewer layers.
So, in this piece, I want to spend some time working through some classic summer style choices that will not only look appropriate for the weather but also help somewhat in making these temperatures a lot more bearable.
Straw Hats
A theme you’ll notice here is an emphasis on two things: materials and specific cuts. A lot of men’s hats, whether baseball caps or flat caps that are gaining in popularity thanks to Peaky Blinders, are made from materials to keep you warm. That’s the opposite of what we want.
Instead, I recommend a straw hat with some kind of brim. Since the straw is woven, it breathes a lot better than tighter weaves like cotton or wool, and the brim will keep your face out of the sun a bit. Anything a man can do to prevent sunburn, hangovers, or bug bites, I argue, he should do. Specifically, a straw fedora or Panama hat is a great summer look, and if you can find a packable version, they’re a great vacation hat.
I also think it’s a good idea to keep the brim fairly small on these hats: once the brim gets big enough to get floppy, it starts to look a little unkempt and resembles the cheap straw hats that spring-breakers love down here in Florida. That said, a wide-brimmed hat is ideal for lounging by the pool to make it easier to see your book, so go with what makes the most sense for your particular needs.