Summer in the City

June 21st 2017

With the temperature rising, the beautiful city of Cambridge is awash with floral shorts, vibrant 50s inspired dresses and sun kissed legs – the ladies resplendent in their summer finery. But what about us men? Are we destined to spend another summer feeling hot and bothered in clothes more suited to October? No my friends, because with a few neat tricks you can have summer dressing sorted without compromising your innate sense of style or comfort and with a lot less effort than you think.

Let’s tackle the dreaded what to wear to work conundrum. You don’t want to turn up in the morning sweating profusely in your winter suit but a linen option is a big no no if you’re commuting – you’ll look like a discarded sandwich bag. A light weight wool suit, made from Italian fabric as breathable as linen without the crease, is your summer saviour. You never see the men of Paris, Rome or Madrid looking dishevelled as they make their way to work in 30 degrees and that’s because just as they eat seasonal produce, they wear seasonal clothing. If the thought of wearing a tie at this time of year is enough to bring you out in a sweat, perhaps opt instead for a shirt with a striking contrast trim that keeps the look clean and fresh without the restriction. To inject some colour, have a selection of silk blend pocket squares to hand. Add a pair of good quality shoes and timeless leather bag and you’ve nailed it.

Slim cut Italian trousers with a bit of stretch in the cotton have the flexibility and comfort for your evenings and weekends. When teamed with a floral Egyptian cotton shirt, inject vibrancy for summer without looking overdone. A selection of tailored clothes with individual detail makes for effortless summer style without compromising comfort. Relaxing with friends, a drink by the river or a day sightseeing – you’ve got it covered.

Men in the UK tend to avoid shorts when they want to look smart but that’s a mistake – a pair of Italian shorts teamed with a contrast trim polo shirt and you’re ready to tackle even the hottest of days with panache. If you need a jacket, stick to a wool/silk mix to ensure you stay cool and crumple free. Keep footwear light and you’re all set for a stylish summer of fun!

All clothes featured available from Trotter & Deane, 15/16 Sussex Street, Cambridge CB1 1PA and 7-28 Abbeygate St, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1UN