I don’t know about you, but I think it’s smart to have a go-to silhouette for each season. It can always fluctuate, but having an idea as to the basic pieces you like to wear best is an easy way to avoid frustration when you’re trying to put on clothes in the morning or on a weekend night. In the wintertime it might be a sweater, jeans, and boots. In the fall it might be a flannel shirt, chinos, and dress shoes. In the summer, my go-to silhouette for daytime is distressed denim, a short sleeve button up, and some versatile shoes.
Think about it. How many times have you stood in front of your closet completely perplexed as to what you feel like wearing? I know I’ve done it too many times to count, and I’d be willing to bet you have to. If you care what you look like, you want to look your best. That’s why you need a go-to. Let me break mine down a bit more in detail…
Short Sleeve Button Up
The reason I like a short sleeve button up so much is because it’s versatile. It’s not extremely dressy, yet it’s also not extremely sloppy like certain tees or tank tops can be. If you get really hot, you can unbutton a couple of buttons and be on your way. Also, with so many different styles available, you can wear a different one every day and keep people guessing. Otherwise you can wear one in a solid color and blend right in with the stylish crowd.
This shirt is from Astro Sixty, a brand that makes clothes to order so as to avoid excess waste. Also, they’re designs and fabrics are crazy great. I’m 6’3 so a lot of times shirts are too short for me. Astro does a great job of increasing the length just a bit so as to add a touch of style and assurance to the taller dudes out there that they won’t need to worry about showing their midriffs.
Distressed Jeans and Versatile Shoes
I’m starting to become more of a shorts guy, but I definitely still prefer pants, even in the summertime. They’re just more comfortable for me. I like a pair of well-distressed denim because, believe it or not, the holes in the pants offer some breathability. They’ll keep your legs cooler than a normal pair of jeans or chinos would. Also, as long as I’m not attending anything that I need to be well-dressed for, they’re a great style piece. You can score these jeans here.
In terms of shoes, I’ll typically wear sneakers during summertime unless I’m attending something where I want to dress up. However, having been recently introduced to the hybrid dress shoe, I’ve become a big fan of these as a fun alternative to sneakers. They’re just as comfortable and look much nicer, which I love.
Although it’s a pretty casual outfit, I always prefer to be just on the dressier side of casual so as to avoid getting caught someplace not looking as nice as I could.
Alternate Go-To Silhouette
Some guys do not like short sleeve button ups. No matter how hard I try to tell them that they’re not dorky, they just don’t feel comfortable in them, which is fine! If you fall into that category, then you should have a different go-to. This one is great because it can take you from a casual work environment all the way to the bar in one look.
Not-So Classic White Button Up Shirt
As always, versatility is hugely important, and a plain white button up shirt is about as versatile as it gets. This one is also from Astro Sixty, and I love it because of it’s longer design and squared hemline. When it comes to a white button up, it’s hard to differentiate, so small details like these can set you apart.
A piece like this is great because you can roll up the sleeves and unbutton a couple of buttons to stay comfortable during the day, but then you can button it up and roll your sleeves back down if you’re meeting someone for a drink after work.
A Stylish Backpack
Oftentimes, summer is difficult because I have a lot of things to carry around. It’s annoying trying to stuff my pockets, so I usually just pack a bag. This one holds my laptop, a camera, and mostly anything else I would need during the day.
Backpacks have come such a long way from just a schoolboy’s bag. There are TONS of stylish designs from all types of designers available. Use something that’s comfortable and allows you to have full range of motion with your hands.
Dark Pants and Shoes
If you’re wearing a white button up shirt, you probably don’t want to go too light with the rest of your look…unless you’re a Dad in the Midwest trying your best to continue the long line of white button ups and faded jeans look. It’s much more modern to throw on some slightly cropped black jeans or trousers and finish it off with a dark sneaker.
Although I’m a fan of the hybrid dress shoe with the first look, I feel like this outfit is a bit dressier, and therefore more suited with a dark sneaker so as to avoid looking like you’re getting too dressy. Plus, you’ll be more comfortable in the hot weather in sneakers if the rest of your look is long sleeves and pants.
So there you have it folks, two of my favorite go-to summer looks. Remember, it’s always nice to have something ready to go in case you don’t feel like taking the time to create an outfit or just simply can’t seem to find something you feel good in. My two go-to’s are pretty general and could probably work for most people. Yet if they don’t, sit with yourself and figure out what you’re most comfortable in and go with that. As long as you’re feeling good in what you have on, it’s going to come across.
All of the links are shoppable, if you like what you see. Be sure to check out Astro Sixty. They’re running a sale right now that won’t last much longer, so jump on board if you’re digging these styles.
