The Essentials: Seven Warm Weather Pieces Every Man Must Own
If there’s anything the last 18 months have taught us, it’s that we don't need much.
We don’t need to gorge on fried things or snag the latest supercharged coupe or even loot stores clean of toilet paper. Many didn’t get to the toilet paper and many of those lived.
Whether it’s unchecked inflation or just folks finding new leases on life en mass (or both), we’ve learned to trim the frills, and one of the most relevant items on the chopping block is the clothes we don’t wear (or need).
No, this post wasn’t conjured to remind you of what matters in life. That’s what insurance ads are for.
The guy who dreads the mere thought of picking out his clothes every day, let alone the act itself? We’re looking at you… and we’re saying it gets better starting now.
And here’s the better part — this’ll work just as well for the other guy. You know him. He’s the sneaker addict, the self-appointed “Sartorialist,” the one whose kryptonite is clothes and, as such, outfits himself with the verve of an Expressionist painter every damn day. Yes, even you lot could use a refresher.
This is the first part of a series we’ll call The Essentials, in which we present you with a list of curated items, each of which will improve your life.
Let’s start part one with summer clothes.
Here are five pieces every man needs when it’s hot as hell.
The Perfect Pair of White Sneakers
Image: Livestock
The foundation of a smart, yet effortless look is your feet, so ensure those things are well appointed. Luckily for men of daily haste, great shoes needn’t be go further than a pair of well-made white sneakers.
There isn’t another colour (besides black) that’s more versatile, so don’t try looking. White sneakers will feel as at home with a cool, cotton suit as they will with chinos and a good tee. A scuff here and there can look a little punk, too, but otherwise don’t skirt your sneaker-cleaning duties or your whole look stands no chance.
As for our pick, everyone’s got Stan Smiths, Chuck Taylors and Common Projects, and nothing against those icons, but the non-conformist in you might lean toward, say, Reebok’s retro-inspired Club C Revenge (which are just as cool and not as ubiquitous).
Reebok Club C Revenge, $98
A Short-Sleeve Seersucker Shirt
Image: Oliver Spencer
Image: Oliver Spencer
You’d think those native to warm climates would rule this realm, but that’s not so.
Take London’s Oliver Spencer, at once one of the most understated and unique menswear outfits in England (where warm air’s anything but abundant). The English brand’s one of the best around when it comes to detail and fastidiously executed form and architecture.
Of note is the brand’s eponymous Creative Director’s choice of fabrics, and this season Ollie (as he’s known) has done seersucker like you’ve never seen.
For those new to the legendary cotton weave, know this: 1. Seersucker never creases (so it travels well), it looks cool (don’t lie). 2. Seersucker light in weight, due in no small part to its unique construction. Once weaved, seersucker “puckers” in a sense, creating air pockets separated from the fabric’s base that make for excellent breathability. Nice, right?
This year, OS teamed up with top online menswear shop, Mr. Porter, for a collaborative iteration of the summer classic (though, they’ve got a whole seersucker line worth exploring, if we’re being thorough).
And yes, it’ll go with pretty much anything.
Hawaiian Short Sleeve Shirt (Rampton White), $227
The Ultimate T-Shirt
Image: Colorful Standard
What more is there to say about the quietest, yet staunchest of all heroes in menswear? Here’s one thing: If your current roster of tees pill like mad, it’s time to make the leap to organic cotton. No, a tee is not a tee is not a tee.
Forget that CS’s shirts feel way softer than most cotton blends (or that they stretch just enough) — they last a hell of a long time… provided, of course, you don’t over-wash your tees (or anything cotton, for that matter).
Colourful Standard keeps things practical while being playful with their choice of colours, and like their name promises, their options run the gamut.
All the brand’s shirts are made in Portugal (so you know you’re getting good craftsmanship), not to mention they’re pre-washed and garment dyed, too.
Classic Organic Tee, $35
Sandals That Actually Look Cool (And Feel Comfortable)
Image: Suicoke
These days, it’s Japanese operation, Suicoke (SWEE-Coke) leading the way in what’s long been the province of dads who don’t care when they leave the house.
Image: Suicoke
This is the modern sandal in every sense of the term, and its charm lies in the fact it flirts with futurism while managing to stay contemporary and accessible.
Plus these babies — a collab with Californian ath-leisure designer, John Elliott, — sport Vibrams, known to be one of the best, longest-lasting rubber soles in all of footwear. They’re waterproof and slip-resistant, too, which you’ll want for sandals.
Shades That’ll Never Age
Image: Ray-Ban
JFK rocked the shit out of them. He knew.
Ferris Bueller even had a pair. He knew, too.
Granted, aviators can’t fail, but wayfarers? Wayfarers meld elegance with irreverence like no other pair of sunglasses have or possibly ever will, plus they’ll add flair to an ensemble without pushing things.
Ray Ban updated their classic by softening the edges and forgoing a big frame for a smaller, subtler one.
The New Wayfarer Classic, $185 — $320
A Killer Pair Of Linen Shorts
Image: Alex Crane
If you don’t have a proper pair of shorts (or two), then you need them. You’re a man, not an 11th grader.
Good shorts. Not ones that’ll rest at your shins. Not ones that’ll have you echoing the look of an ‘80s soccer player. Ones that are made with care, ones that’ll rest just above your knees, and ones that’ll keep out the heat with ease, hence the linen part.
Besides seersucker (which you read about in that shirt blurb up top), no other fabric is as light, or as breathable than linen. And, high quality linen can actually wick sweat from your skin (which, in turn, keeps you cool when it’s boiling).
Alex Crane’s Bo Shorts make the cut for a couple reasons; One, every wardrobe needs a pop of colour, and if you’ve got the will, you could pull off shorts in anything but the typical hues (think khaki, black, grey, navy, etc.).
Those are all great colours, but then, so are earthier, more seasonal tones like dusk, pine and bone.
Alex Crane, Bo Short (Made in USA), $95
The Humble Ball Cap
Ball caps are safe, and safe is just fine. For there are days when it’s time to rep the Jays (or, heaven forbid, the Yankees) and there are days when what’s simpler works best.
Need to run to the store on a Sunday morning so he/she doesn’t have to wait? Ball cap. Leaving the gym (assuming your state/province reopened them)? In between haircuts? Went on a bender and bleached your hair without remembering it? You get the point.
Norse Projects’ clever take on the ball cap stands alone in a saturated category, not just for the fact it looks old (in a good way) but because lightweight twill keeps heads cool when the heat spikes.
Twill Sports Cap, Norse Projects, $98 (the model’s wearing a practical black cap, but Uncle Otis in Chinatown, Toronto stocks an equally handsome navy one).
(Images of hats: Uncle Otis)