Go-To Smart Casual Summer OUTFIT Combinations

Dressing for hot weather is no cakewalk. Dressing well for hot weather is downright difficult. In fact, we’d go as far as to say that prioritising both style and sweat-prevention is enough to bring any man to the brink during the warmer months; so it pays to swat up on the basics, those staples that can be mixed and matched to produce looks that are comfortable but still cut a handsome figure.

Here are five easily executed smart-casual combinations you’ll want to add to your repertoire this season, whether you’re by the shore or hitting the city streets.

Short-Sleeved Shirt + Trousers/Chinos

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that short-sleeved shirt shame (SSSS) is a thing of the past. Much more hot weather-friendly than its long-sleeved brother, a short-sleeved shirt looks perfectly smart when teamed with a well-cut pair of trousers or chinos.

Remember to pay attention to fit; the short-sleeved shirt is, despite its simplicity, one of those pieces that can look elegant or erroneous depending on how it sits on your frame. Put simply, make sure yours is fitted enough to flatter your torso and arms, but not so much that it strains around the biceps or neck.

When it comes to legwear, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for styles that are either cropped or that can be easily turned up at the hems. Why? Because you’ll be getting your ankles out and going sockless. Failure to do so will quickly see your efforts undone, so invest in a few pairs of invisible socks or your look will suffer.

Lastly, we’re probably stating the obvious but make sure your top and bottom half contrast or clash; the only head-to-toe colour that works here is white, which makes for a striking summer getup provided you have the skin tone to see it through.

Long-Sleeved Shirt + Shorts

If your biceps have looked better, then swapping

Lessons You Can Learn From Instagram's MOST Stylish Men

With over 300 million users, filtering through Instagram’s legions of stylish bloggers, editors, models and designers and their excellently curated feeds is no mean feat. If you’re anything like us, turning that blue button green inevitably prompts a domino effect that sees you up your following count by not one but fifteen people.

On top of that, whether you’re seeking streetwear inspiration, ideas for innovative formalwear getups or a new way to incorporate accessories into your look, you don’t always know if what works for them is necessarily going to work for you.

But we’re here to help. We pinpointed five of our favourite well-dressed Instagrammers to breakdown their many-liked looks and show you how you can switch up your wardrobe by emulating their bravura.

Phil Green

Green will probably be known to most as one part of the fashion collective Sartorial 7: a group of impeccably dressed globetrotters who have fronted campaigns for brands such as Reiss, Scotch & Soda and Hackett. But Scotsman Green is also a personal shopper for FarFetch, and the man behind an Instagram feed that epitomises what it means to be a modern gentleman.

Rarely seen without an immaculately tailored two- or three-piece suit, Green often builds his look around a predominantly blue palette. His feed features a mix of navy, cobalt and sapphire, which are frequently blended with earthier tones – a pair of brown Oxford shoes, for example, or a mossy green necktie.

Featuring snaps from all over the world, including New York, Berlin and Cannes, the backdrop for most of Green’s meticulously tailored looks is London – in all its soaked pavement glory.

For Green, tailoring in blues and browns are best. Hackett, Reiss and Suitsupply all come recommended for suits in these colours, while the look can be elevated with a statement tie or pocket square from Drake’s or Eton of Sweden.

On warmer days, a white T-shirt worn underneath a blazer and teamed with suit trousers can look just as dapper. Or, for something more smart-casual, try subbing in a pair of slim-fit indigo jeans from Acne Studios or A.P.C. for the suit trousers.

Follow: @mrphilgreen

Favourite Looks

Inspired By Pieces

5 Ways To Wear A Polo Shirt This Summer

Summer often means sartorial conundrums, and the unpredictable weather (in the UK, at least) can make a huge difference to how you dress. As the mercury rises, you’ll be thinking about dropping your usual uniform – sweatshirts, jumpers and heavyweight shirts – for lighter and cooler separates like tees and vests.

But just because you’re conscious of keeping cool, it doesn’t mean you have to look sloppy. Cue: the polo shirt, the ultimate in summertime smart-casual, and easily the most versatile piece you can add to your wardrobe this season.

How Your Polo Should Fit

Before we delve into some no-fuss styling solutions, here are a few guidelines on how your polo should fit:

• The sleeves should end at the mid-bicep mark.
• The hem of the shirt shouldn’t fall any further than halfway down your trouser fly.
• Check the neck opening – if it makes your neck look skinny and turkey-like, it’s too wide, but if it’s straining, then it’s too tight; aim for somewhere between the two.

With that out of the way, let’s break down five go-to looks you can add to your warm-weather repertoire.

1. All-White/Preppy

Whether you’re heading to Wimbledon for the weekend, or simply want to look smart on your downtime, an all­-white outfit can be just the tonic.

Start with a classic white piqué polo – keep logos and numbering to a minimum (i.e. nothing too ‘polo player’ ostentatious) and make sure it’s cut slim through the body.

Next, team with white chinos that are narrow through the leg and taper towards the bottom (a looser pair will instantly kill the sleek, tailored silhouette you’re going for). And, finally, to complete your one part minimal, one part American prep look, slip on some white plimsolls (to go white-out) or rich brown loafers (for a considered contrast).

The finishing touch? Ditch the socks and turn your hems up a couple of times to let your legs breathe.

And remember, if all-white doesn’t work for your skin tone, try introducing lighter neutrals like beige and stone, or subtle pastels such as mint green and sky blue, which won’t have the same wash-out effect.

2. Sports Luxe

Due to its sporting heritage (first appearing on

The Key Trends From London Collections : Men Spring/Summer 2016

£14.1 billion. That’s the projected figure for menswear sales in the UK this year, according to market research body Mintel. Little wonder, then, that this month’s London Collections: Men (LC:M) spring/summer 2016 showcase included over seventy menswear shows and events.

Once an awkward mix of historically conservative tailoring houses and headline-grabbing underground fashion, London is now one of the world’s foremost menswear capitals, with brands and designers that run the gamut in their creative direction and commercial viability making up the chock-full four-day schedule.

This season saw everything from overlaid neon bikinis at Christopher Shannon to nipple cut-outs at Craig Green. But jibes and jokes aside, what will we actually be wearing come SS16?

Key Fabric: Suede

One of autumn/winter 2015’s standout trends is set to continue playing a key role as we transition from the wintry chill to springtime next year. While it was shearling jackets that dominated at the AW15 showcases, the latest run of LC:M shows (mercifully) suggested lighter weight suede pieces for the warmer months.

At Dunhill’s very British affair, suede was a key fabric for casual wear, with the luxury brand showing a brilliantly slouchy suede Harrington and a smock anorak that you definitely don’t want to wear in the rain. Meanwhile, Belstaff’s homage to the Desert Rats (the British Army forces that fought German troops in 1940s-era North Africa) included a military cape and slim-cut biker-style jacket in the fabric.

But it was at storied Savile Row institution Gieves & Hawkes that suede got its most summery treatment, with creative director Jason Basmajian suggesting suede shorts suits and elegantly-cut, lightweight suede outerwear that was poles apart from the bulky jackets and coats we’re used to seeing.

Wear It Now

Although usually confined to a pair of

Men's Essential Summer Hair Guide

While many of us might subscribe to the no-frills school of hair care, the majority of hair types need a little more TLC than a dollop of Head & Shoulders and a brisk towel dry.

And never more so than during summer – from UV rays to high humidity, your locks have a lot to contend with. If you’re keen to keep your scalp from searing, or you want to know which products won’t melt after thirty seconds in the sun, then read on for some season-specific advice from top stylists.

Summer-Ready Hairstyles

Although there are plenty of ways to care for your hair in warmer weather, one of the best solutions is to switch up your style.

“For [summer], you want a style that’s easy to maintain and that isn’t affected by heat and humidity – so going a bit shorter is a good thing to do,” says Daniel Davies, General Manager at Pall Mall Barbers. “It’s also much easier to rinse chlorine out of a shorter hairstyle, which is important as chlorine is really damaging to hair and can leave it feeling like straw.”

Going shorter also means less sweat and easy styling. “If you want to look great straight out of the sea and straight into beach clubs, then keep your layers cropped fairly short,” says Alex Glover, Master Barber at Murdock at Liberty London. “This kind of style looks great with or without product, messy or smooth.”

Keep UV Rays At Bay

Protecting your scalp from the sun is absolutely vital