Having already looked at how men now spend more than women on their annual holiday wardrobe; now it's time to consider what goes in the case and how. As someone who has been known to pack a pair of boldly printed trousers in a fit of optimism about
That said, the polo shirt and its connotations of preppy style can act as a bedrock for a smart but relaxed summer wardrobe that calls to mind JFK and his brothers boating in Nantucket. A neat number from the king of the collegiate lifestyle, Ralph Lauren, should stand you in good stead. Add a crisp pair of chinos in white or pale blue and a seersucker jacket which combines breathability with a smarter silhouette (polo shirts with a suit jacket being a strong proposal for summer informal/formal dressing this year).
Away from the WASP-y aesthetic that’s a handy guideline with regards to masculine, considered warm weather wardrobes, menswear’s new loosening of the rules – flowing silhouettes, a fluid sense of ease – is an entirely seductive option. If your August break is more ‘louche lounging in Marrakesh’ than clam bakes at the Cod, I’m all for a little experimentation and playing up to your environs.
Collarless shirts can act as a visual signifier that you're no longer in corporate mode and a Nehru collar hints at foreign sojourns, while one of the biggest verves in men's suiting in recent years has been towards a slackening of shapes, with seams let out and a greater sense of airiness to tailored jackets and trousers. We're not recommending that you pair with an aforementioned shirt for a continental wedding, but it's certainly a debonair option for cocktails on Lake Como. Finally, while a soft driving shoe is a fine choice with chinos, designers such as Giorgio Armani and Dolce and Gabbana are championing the humble espadrille as a chic option to don with a relaxed fit suit. Perhaps the PMs new post-government wardrobe will be able to accommodate for such touches.
The Daily Telegraph
