By Wyatt Smith
1. Take It Easy With Your Layering One of fashion's biggest trends throughout the past few seasons has been layering. Long T-Shirts, Hoodies, Leggings, and Bomber Jackets have all been incorporated into a drapey streetwear aesthetic that does a good job of fighting off cold temperatures. But, in case you weren't aware, it is now summer, and over-layering will end with yourself drenched in sweat and passed out due to hyperthermia. An overused but still applicable motto for summer is to "keep it cool", so stick to lighter fabrics and less clothing, for everyone's sake. |
2. Athleisure Whether you consider yourself an athlete or not, athleisure is for everyone. One of fashion's few trends that is easy and comfortable to wear, athleisure has been growing quickly, representing a $35 billion industry this past year. Regarding the last tip about over layering, athleisure is the perfect antidote. Lightweight apparel is great for staying cool in the summer sun, plus a light hoodie paired with some sweatshorts is a great fit no matter the season. Whether your going to a movie or playing some pick up basketball, athleisure is the way to go for a comfier fit. This is one of the few times where dressing lazily is "in", so take advantage of it guys. For a more affordable look, H&M and ASOS with have what you need. For a higher quality look, Y-3 and Kith NYC are the leaders in athleisure for men. |
3. Keep Your Footwear Simple As a sneaker head, I'm all for flashy shoes that turn heads. But there are many summer outfits that encourage those kind of shoes. Sticking to safer, more simple shoes such as Adidas Stan Smiths or Common Project Low Sneakers will be look much cleaner with more outfits. Even a pair of suede boots, low or high, will do the job in a classier sort of way. For a more affordable look, Adidas Stan Smiths are the way to go. On the more expensive end, Chelsea boots from Bottega Venetta or classic low sneakers from Saint Laurent or Common Projects are great options. |
4. Don't Be Afraid to Dress It Up Now I have to admit that I'm guilty of not doing this as much as I should, but my often adequate excuse is "Where would I wear these formal clothes?" If you're under the age of 18 then you have a fair point (unless you attend more weddings than the average high schooler). But most guys think of "dressing up" as a full blown tuxedo, when really a casual blazer over top a stylish polo shirt and some jeans fits the bill. Whether its a more formal party or dinner out on the town, wearing a sport coat or blazer with some chino pants, boots, and button up will show that you're not afraid to act a little more mature than you really are. See Topman for more affordable jackets, and Ralph Lauren and Balenciaga for High Fashion pieces. |
5. Invest In Quality Cologne It may seem pretentious to invest in an $60 bottle of cologne, and it probably is, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it. In fact, it's absolutely worth your money. Most men, if they use any type of cologne/spray, will use Axe Body Spray or some cheap cologne from American Eagle. Now, as an experienced human being I can assure you that neither of those options are worth it. While both of them may smell decent to horrible (sorry Axe Body Spray), their scent doesn't last on your body as long. On the flip side, a nicer cologne will smell much more attractive and remain on your body for a much longer period of time. From personal experience, I've had a bottle of Versace cologne that has provided me with many compliments, and 2 years after I purchased it I'm only halfway done with the bottle. Trust me guys, it's worth the investment. See Dior, Givenchy, Ralph Lauren and more cologne on various websites and local retailers. |
Summer is the time to kick back, relax, and enjoy yourself. So keep a clean and simple look and try not to pass out from heat exhaustion.