Suiting up this summer is now a breeze.
When we think of summer, the thought of wearing a suit can be enough to make you sweat. But that doesn’t need to be the case. In fact, paying attention to your next suit’s construction, fabric and colour will all help you to not only combat but thrive in the upcoming heat and humidity.
In preparation for our 2020 summer season, we’ve sat down with Hugh Grover, Sydney director of leading made-to-measure tailors Oscar Hunt, for the latest trends and how to master the art of summer suiting.
1. Lightweight Fabrics
In summer, we see a huge uplift in the styling of natural fibres such as cotton and linen. Not only is cotton soft on the body, but it’s durable and lightweight, providing you with a refined yet casual look. Linen, is also a highly breathable fabric, making it ideal for warmer climates – particularly in humid weather.
Interestingly, fresco (wool) suits have recently emerged as a new crowd favourite. Although you wouldn’t normally think to bring out a wool suit during the warmer months, a fresco suit is specifically designed with hot weather in mind. The fabric’s open weave allows for great ventilation and its high-twist wool creates a crisp, sturdy look.
-
- Oscar Hunt Mid Grey Linen 2 Piece Suit. Image supplied
-
- Oscar Hunt Mid Grey Linen 2 Piece Suit. Image via Oscar Hunt website
2. Unlined Fitted Jackets
While men can often get away with leaving their jacket at home for most summer events, there will be the occasional event that requires you to wear a jacket.
For these instances, invest in an unstructured or unlined jacket that doesn’t make you feel rigid or hot, however, it still maintains a level of formality. The beauty of an unlined jacket is that it allows the craftsmanship to be exposed while keeping you cool and comfortable. To complete your unstructured garment, opt for some custom-tailored chinos or off-white denim trousers and a pair of leather cordwainers.
-
- Oscar Hunt Brown Herringbone Jacket. Image via Oscar Hunt website
-
- Oscar Hunt Brown Herringbone Jacket and Off White Denim Trouser. Image supplied
3. Soft Colours
As a general summer rule, lighter and more adventurous earthy hues are geared towards spring and summer fashion. Think white and ivory shirts, light cream–brown chinos, finished with a sharp brown leather shoe. Or, even a sleek white sneaker to keep it casual.
This by no means restricts you to whites and ivories. You can also pair neutral-coloured pants with seasonal tones of blue, khaki and soft shades of orange.
-
- Oscar Hunt White Jersey Cotton. Image via Oscar Hunt website
-
- Oscar Hunt Mid Brown Brushed Cotton. Image via Oscar Hunt website
-
- Oscar Hunt Oxford Toe Cap Mid Brown. Image via Oscar Hunt website
4. Detailed Decisions
When it comes to finalising an outfit, a splash of colour or interesting pattern can really bring together a summer suit.
Be brave and experiment – one of the easiest ways to do this is to incorporate patterned shirts. Checkered and striped linen shirts offer a different take on classics, while patterned cotton shirts, will offer you wardrobe variety, allowing you to repurpose and wear the shirt all year round, including in the office.
If you’re looking to keep it casual, keep it minimal with a basic t-shirt under a two-piece suit. Pair the ensemble with closed brown leather loafers and a pocket square (optional).
-
- Oscar Hunt Latte jersey Jacket and Mid Brown Cotton Trouser. Image via Oscar Hunt website
-
- Oscar Hunt Latte Jersey Jacket. Image via Oscar Hunt website
5. The Best Fit
Of course, once your decisions have been made, professional fitting is by far the most essential step in your suit styling, all year round. Regardless of the temperature, if the fit is wrong, your suit will become immediately constricted or overly loose.
A well-trained fitter will know what fabrics work best for different seasons and will help guide you through every step of the process.
-
- Oscar Hunt Made to Measure
Feature image: Oscar Hunt Beige Linen 2 Piece Suit. Image supplied.
