The summer season ushers in sunny skies, hot weather and a laid-back vibe that's often reflected in people's fashion choices.
But when it comes to menswear, the easy breezy look of flip-flops and Bermuda shorts, though certainly cool and comfortable, just doesn't cut it for every occasion. For some gents, a suit and tie is mandatory office attire year-round. Others have weddings and formal events to attend nearly every weekend. And some guys just like to suit up no matter the season.
Lower Lonsdale resident Melissa Cooley, a clothier with Tom James custom clothing company, is in the business of dressing men. With dozens of North Shore executives and business owners in her portfolio, the local haberdasher has some sartorial advice for men who want to look sharp without sweating through their sport coat this summer.
Choose the right fabric
Summer is no time to be wearing heavy wool or tweed, so ditch the dense fabrics for lighter-weight, looser-weave alternatives. Cooley says the perennial favourites, linen and cotton, remain popular choices because they are airy and breathable. That said, she stresses the importance of knowing how a suit jacket is constructed and avoiding those with fusible interlining glued to the outer shell.
"No matter how lightweight your fabric is, if there's glue in the middle of it, it doesn't breathe," she says. "It's like wearing a layer of Saran wrap."
A better option, though more costly, is a jacket with canvas interlining stitched to the exterior fabric.
Consider cut and colour
Men's suits have reached a point where they can't get much snugger.
"Pants are short, jackets are short, everything is tight," Cooley says.
Because of the cyclical nature of fashion, she expects styles will progressively loosen up over the next few years.
"I'm encouraging my clients to do a slightly fuller chest in their suits this season," she says.
When it comes to colour, avoid dark tones that absorb the heat. Instead, opt for heat-reflecting shades such as light grey, tan and pastels. More adventurous dressers might try dusty teal or French blue - both popular in the European couture lines this season, Cooley says.
Keep it casual
When a full suit and tie aren't necessary, men can still look stylish in more relaxed attire. On the North Shore, where offices tend to be more casual than in downtown Vancouver, Cooley says a collared shirt and slacks work well in the summer.
"Golf shirts are OK because it's the North Shore and everyone's going to always wear golf shirts," she says, but adds that this type of shirt should not be paired with dressy, pointy-toed shoes. "That's a big faux pas," she says, suggesting loafers or lace-ups with rounded toes as better matches.
Another casual warm-weather alternative to the classic suit is a crisp pair of jeans paired with a T-shirt and tailored blazer.
"Soft shirts are really trending under blazers right now," Cooley says.
Play with accessories
They don't do much to help beat the heat, but accessories are a great way to inject personality into an outfit, especially in the warm-weather months when bright colours abound.
"Coloured socks are super OK for everyone of every single age group," Cooley says. "And they don't have to match anything."
The same goes for pocket squares. "It's totally fine for those to completely clash with your socks. In fact, it's encouraged," she adds.
Ties should be slimmer than eight-and-a-half centimetres and, for the sake of professionalism, Cooley advises men to steer clear of cartoon character patterns.
With that in mind, don't be afraid to play with colour.
"It's really important to have fun with it," she says.
