Ian Fielding-Calcutt the founder of Fielding & Nicholson tailors, which has studios in London, Zurich and New York, a go-to for those with impeccable sartorial taste all over the UK and the world. Ian has provided some indispensable advice on how to maintain style in the office over the summer months. This includes exploring seersucker, slightly shorter hemlines, and how to avoid Sweat Patch Syndrome by not confusing deodorant with antiperspirant – probably one of the biggest sartorial fears men have over summer, and one of the reasons they may avoid tailoring.
1. Invest in a tailored jacket that has been designed for the season. It will need to come in a lightweight fabric cotton, linen, or light wool. These materials will keep you cool and comfortable throughout the day. Choose unlined or lightly structured jackets for a more relaxed and breathable feel during the summer. You can’t wear an AW blazer in the spring or summer and expect not to get hot – even if you wear it with a t-shirt.
2. Embrace the freedom of summer. It’s generally deemed more acceptable to be a little more adventurous with colours and prints for summer tailoring. Choose light-coloured suits such as beige, light grey, or sky blue, which reflect heat and help you stay cool under the sun. You could also incorporate bright and vibrant colours into your wardrobe. Think pastels, blues, greens, and yellows.
3. A little tip…Seersucker is great for keeping you cool. Consider wearing a seersucker suit for a classic summer look. The puckered texture of seersucker fabric helps with air circulation, keeping you cooler. It will look smart, but there’s also something relaxed about seersucker which makes it a brilliant summer fabric.
4. Create airflow with shorter hemlines. Opt for trousers with a shorter hemline to allow more airflow and prevent overheating. A slight break or no break is ideal for a polished summer look. Don’t go too high though, certainly no higher than the ankle bone.
5. Be wary of short sleeve shirts. They can work on certain occasions but be careful how you wear it, don’t go too tight and avoid garish patterns. Be conscious of the overall silhouette with a short sleeve shirt, they look best with looser fitting trousers styled with a quality pair of leather sandals or espadrilles.
6. Tailored shorts. Whilst this used to be considered a big no-no, in certain industries it is becoming more acceptable to wear shorts to work. Plus, given that summers in the UK are becoming hotter, it does seem like this is something we will see more of. If you are going to do it, do it properly. The only acceptable shorts to wear are tailored shorts that hit just above the knee for a sophisticated and summer-friendly alternative to trousers, consider having a jacket tailoring to match the shorts and keep the footwear smart – loafers would work best.
7. Which brings us nicely on to shoes. Swap out your regular dress shoes for breathable shoes like loafers, boat shoes, or espadrilles to keep your feet cool and stylish during the summer months. You could also invest in a pair of white canvas or white leather plimsolls. They’re (very) casual, but they do tend to work with most tailored summer looks. Needless to say, flip flops are to be avoided at work, or in any city or urban setting. Your feet will get dirty. For the beach only please.
8. Accessorize thoughtfully. Don’t bring a rucksack to the office. I don’t think it looks smart enough, plus it will crease your clothes and make your back sweat! A stylish leather or canvas tote bag is best, or a holdall. Plus they won’t crease your clothes. Think about your sunglasses too, I’ve seen many a stylish outfit ruined by Terminator or wraparound style shades. Wayfarer, rounded or Clubmaster styles are much more appropriate.
9. Top it off. Incorporate hats like straw fedoras, Panama hats, or boaters into your summer outfits for sun protection and a touch of style. These would always look great with a well-tailored summer look.
10. And finally… try to avoid ‘Sweat Patch Syndrome’! Tricky. However, do you know the difference between antiperspirant and deodorant? Antiperspirants actually prevent you from sweating by blocking sweat glands, while deodorant protects against odour – but you’ll still sweat. If you have a big meeting and want to avoid the wet patches, use a good antiperspirant the night before.
