The Farah guide to summer-ready style

Summer is all about easy comfort; why over complicate and risk overheating, when you should be cooling off? You can still dress stylish without compromising on feeling as good as you look. The Farah guide to summer-ready style will tell you how.

What colours to wear for summer

Before we tackle the exact pieces that should be staples in your summer wardrobe, let’s cover shades first. When the weather warms up, you’ll want to go with lighter hues or colour-toned versions, for example, opt for balsam green or sheaf blue instead of olive or pine green.

Pinks, lavenders, pale blues, mauves and shades of white all have an organic connection with warmer weather. Think about what you’d expect to see from a summer palette, and use these as the basis of your inspiration.

Of course, we can’t neglect the need for a neutral base to tie all your combinations together. While you may opt for black or dark grey for garments and accessories in autumn and winter, opt for light tan versions in summer instead - such as linen trousers or chino shorts. Steer clear of any shades that are too intense; have a few basic white tees in your rotation for essentials like tops and outerwear to anchor outfits together.

That all being said, you don’t have to neglect darker colours entirely for half of the year. Two dark shades work incredibly well in warmer weather: dark blue and purple. The former offers a high level of UV protection, and cobalt won’t look out of place on a well-put-together summer palette, and can be styled the same as navy.

Purple sits perfectly between the coolness of blue and natural warmth of red, meaning it can be worn in almost any season. But opt for lighter versions of purple, and bear in mind that darker shades don’t pair well with all skin tones.

You may not consider yourself to be a pastel man, but don’t knock it till you’ve tried it; a pale pastel blue shirt worn open and over a white tee and paired with tan chino shorts can channel ideal holiday vibes. Other key summer pastel shades include blue-greens, sand shades, blued and pinked greys.

What fabrics to wear for summer

It may be an obvious choice, but you’re going to want to steer clear of the heavy knits and thick fabrics, and opt for those that are breathable and lightweight. Search out sweat-wicking garments where you can - especially if you plan to be out in the sun or exercising - as this will keep you cool and stop those tell-all sweat stains from making unwanted appearances.

As a general rule, the looser the weave of your fabric, the more comfortable and cool you will feel as you go about your day. Light organic cotton is one of the best choices, whilst bamboo and linen are also good, however you’ll want to avoid cotton on the hottest days, as it isn’t naturally moisture wicking.

Of course, this should go without saying, but avoid heavy full-length denim and wool.

The best men’s trousers for summer

Seersucker fabric

Seersucker is a summer staple due to its unique design and properties; the puckered texture creates tiny air pockets, enhancing breathability and keeping you cool when you need it most. As it’s lightweight and typically made from cotton, and it’s typically wrinkle-resistant and quick-drying, making it low-maintenance and perfect for vacations where laundry is the last thing on your mind.

Chino shorts

Style the same as chino trousers and you’re golden. Naturally, chino shorts pair perfectly with fitted t-shirts and polos, but for evenings out you can wear with a button-up.

Denim

Although we advised against denim in the summer, some men just aren’t able to part ways with their jeans. If you must, opt for lighter washes to avoid soaking in excess heat. White denim is also incredibly summer appropriate, although a bold look to pull off.

The best men’s tops for summer

Not-so-basic tees

Whether it’s for slipping on as a cover-up when heading from beach to bar, or you’re in need of an easy pairing with your chino shorts, having a few plain tees in colourways of your choice is always a failsafe. Wear alone or layer an open shirt on top - short sleeve, of course - for ultimate summer vibes.

Polo shirts

Polos have that ultimate preppy style that immediately brings to mind a relaxed afternoon on the back nine followed by mojitos. That might be your agenda for the day, or maybe you’re just heading out for dinner, whatever’s on your agenda, you can never go wrong with a polo shirt.

Short sleeve Oxford shirt

A lightweight, short sleeve shirt is an essential part of any man’s summer wardrobe. In fact, we’d recommend you have a few tucked away in your closet.

Comfort should be your top priority when dressing for the warmer weather, but it’s far easier than you think to balance staying cool and comfortable with looking good. Need to top up on your vacation essentials? Explore the full Farah men’s clothing collection to be summer-ready in an instant.