Summer Wardrobe Staples

Boglioli navy jacket in washed wool, Salvatore Ferragamo loafers, and bespoke pink gingham cotton shirt --The Independent.  Clapham cotton pocket square --Gilt.  Grey linen shorts and blue woven cotton belt --JCrew.

So as I have said before I like pieces rather than outfits.  I think a great wardrobe is built around staples.  A wardrobe with great bones and pieces is one you can build on and just gets better.  That works equally as well in Summer as it does the rest of the year.  I have found that it doesn't matter how many pairs of shoes, or pants, or shirts you have there are always a few that you wear most often.  For me these are the pieces that seem to be the bones of my wardrobe.  Lets take a look at them and see how they can mix and match well together and take you from the day, to a summer wedding, or to dinner out with friends.  I have intentionally used the same few pieces in these images to illustrate the point that key pieces are well, key!

1.  Polo shirt

The polo shirt is a classic and whether you like one with a logo or one without (I personally prefer one without) they are hard to do without in warmer weather.  A polo is equally at home with jeans, shorts, or a pair of pants.  They also layer well under a jacket or light sweater.  Have one in every color of the rainbow if you like, but I bet you will wear a white or a navy one most often.  In the two images below you can see how the polo shirt can work with shorts or a chino and you can throw on a jacket and the look becomes a bit dressier. 

White cotton polo, blue cotton woven belt, cotton pocket square, and navy cotton shorts with anchor print --JCrew.  Brown leather driving mocs --Banana Republic.  Isaia unlined pin-cord cotton/silk jacket --The Independent.

 



Navy polo, cotton pocket square, and cream chinos in 484 fit --JCrew.  Brown leather driving mocs --Banana Republic.  Brown leather belt --Dillards.  Bulova watch with brown leather band.  Isaia unlined pin-cord cotton/silk jacket --The Independent.

 

 

2.  Leather drivers

 

Leather driving mocs are not just for Spring/Summer but are a great option that allow you to go from casual to more dressy occasions.  Now they aren't appropriate for everything but in warm weather they are such a great alternative to flip flops or sneakers.  Wear them without socks but use a washable insole so they don't end up smelling like a gym shoe by the end of the season.  I love them in suede as well but if you had to start with a pair Id opt for some brown ones in a slightly pebbled leather.  And as for belts to go with them you can venture away from the matchy matchy rule and try a canvas belt.  The images above show how easily you can wear them with shorts or chinos.  

3.  Unstructured jacket

I think that regardless of who the man is an unstructured jacket can be a key piece in his closet.  If you are suit and tie guy that dresses in suits 5 days a week or one that saves jackets for weddings and funerals, an unstructured jacket can be one that you look for reasons to wear.  They are so incredibly versatile and come in a huge array of styles and fabrics.  For warmer weather a seersucker jacket is a spot on match.  But if you want to try something a bit different then opt for a jacket in a pin-cord fabric (see above) to have an equally cool look.  One jacket that really does everything you need it to is a navy jacket.  Now I'm not talking a blazer with gold buttons but something a little fresher and one that can even carry you through until it just gets bone cold.  The jacket below is perfect for that.

Boglioli navy jacket in washed wool, Grenson double monk straps, and green Eton cotton shirt --The Independent.  Clapham cotton pocket square --Gilt.  Brown leather belt and white cotton chinos--Banana Republic.

4.  Monk straps or traditional loafers

If a driving moc is too casual for the occasion but you still want to keep it light and fresh then try another type of slip on shoe.  The monk strap is a great shoe and a classic.  You can definitely wear them without socks like a driver but they are more dressy yet equally at home with jeans, chinos, and casual pants.  The image above features a pair in a lighter leather that definitely work perfectly in warmer weather.  If you want another option then a brown leather loafer is a shoe that you will truly get a ton of use out of.  They can be worn any day of the week except for perhaps a very formal occasion.  Below I pair some with shorts to change it up but they could work with any short or pant featured in any of this post's images.  Brown leather loafers are a must have and if you want an extra option get them in suede also!

Boglioli navy jacket in washed wool, Salvatore Ferragamo loafers, and bespoke pink gingham cotton shirt --The Independent.  Clapham cotton pocket square --Gilt.  Grey linen shorts and blue woven cotton belt --JCrew.

5.  White pants

Not to be bossy but if you don't have a pair of white pants go get a pair this moment!  Think they are too flashy or that they are a magnet for red wine or BBQ sauce?  Well they don't have to be but that is part of the attraction of them.  They just say "Hey, I got this!"  White pants can run the gamut from linen to chinos to even white jeans (love 'em).  And if you really want to impress you can wear them all year long.  That rule about Labor Day was for the Golden Age aristocrats to keep the working class in their place.  So it is over! 

Isaia unlined pin-cord cotton/silk jacket and brown suede belt/loafers from Salvatore Ferragamo --The Independent.  Pink cotton Ludlow shirt and cotton pocket square--JCrew.  White cotton chinos--Banana Republic.

 

 

6.  Button-up shirt

 

Not previously mentioned but certainly a core piece is the button-up shirt.  These certainly are important but are as varied as fingerprints.  You may prefer a solid to a print, a button down collar to a traditional, or French cuff to regular but you can only go wrong if you don't have one.  Personally I prefer either a solid color or a gingham print.  White, pink, blue, and green seem to be just so perfect this time of year and truly will carry you through all year long. 

 

7.  Items not mentioned

 

I didn't intentionally leave out ties at first when I was putting these looks together and photographing them but I think it must have been sub-conscious.  Also they are an accessory to me rather than a core wardrobe piece.  Ties are a great component of dressing well but aren't as necessary this time of year I feel.  It gets very hot here in Arkansas and I also like the casual nonchalance, or sprezzatura if you will, of wearing a shirt without a tie under a jacket or sans jacket.  Yes there are going to be occasions where you will need a tie but I don't feel like they are as frequent in the warmer months.  One thing I did include is a pocket square.  To me if you are wearing a jacket you need a pocket square to complete the look.  So I did include those but not many other accessories other than the one watch, although you will not catch me without at least my brass cuff bracelet. 

 

So I hope that this post will give you some cues or at least some inspiration on building or redefining your wardrobe.  When I was little my mother use to dress me in Garanimals where kids could easily match their pants to their shirts and the pieces acted like building blocks to go with other things.  Of course they were meant to last long enough before the kid would outgrow them.  I guess I just have always liked mixing and matching things but of course now as adults we want them to last for years. 

 

 

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  All of these images are courtesy of Brian Kelley/Imagine Photography/Brian's Style Guide and are protected by copyright law. None of these images may be used, edited, reproduced, transferred, published or distributed in any form or by any means whatsoever without prior written permission.