Your bespoke summer — style must-haves
A change in season is an opportunity to reinvent who you are, and what better way to do that than through your wardrobe. If you want to welcome the summer in style, consider adding these staples.
The linen suit
If you don’t yet have a linen suit in your wardrobe, it’s time. There’s a reason why linen is such a popular fabric in hot climates – there’s nothing quite like it to keep you cool and comfortable when the temperature rises. Plus, when used for suiting, it lends the tailoring that effortless look and feel.
In other words, if you want to look elegant and feel comfortable this summer, you need a linen suit in your wardrobe. Of course, don’t stop at just a suit. Make linen THE main fabric in your summer wardrobe. More ideas for how to do that below.
The unstructured jacket
There’s another way to bear the heat while looking dashing – the unstructured jacket. Unlike the full bespoke and semi-bespoke jackets, which need an inner canvas scaffold to shape the jacket, unstructured jackets make do without that. Instead they use absolute minimal canvas and lining.
The question is, will this still look…like an actual suit jacket? It will if you get a great tailor on the job. In fact, most people might not even notice the difference, such is the outcome from a skilled artisan.
It has a slightly softer appearance, which makes it perfect for a summer party, drinks after work, that Sunday taking to the wineries. And of course, if you happen to be travelling, you’re sorted for smart yet comfortable attire.
The polo shirt
Let’s get one thing out of the way. Polo shirts can really downgrade a man’s style if they’re not chosen carefully. Not every polo is the right polo. What’s a right polo then? One that fits you like a glove (your shoulders, your waist, your neck, your arms, etc), that is cut from luxurious cottons in a shade that complements your skin, and that uses bespoke tailoring techniques to get around regular polo pitfalls (say, a floppy collar). Oh, so not the over-the-counter overpriced so-called luxury polo? Nope.
Bespoke polo shirt and chinos made by Zink & Sons
The bad news is that if you’ll have one made, you’ll never want to go back to regular polos again. But maybe that’s a good thing? So go ahead an invest in a few colours and even some bold patterns, if your budget allows it.
The drawstring trousers
One thing that people often get wrong about clothes is that style and comfort are antithetical. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Bespoke tailored clothing is meant to be comfortable and to last longer. Because clothing that fits perfectly does exactly that.
But it’s true, there is comfort and…comfort. And some occasions are better suited to more casual-looking clothes. You wouldn’t wear your bespoke suit to a Sunday brunch, would you? One thing you should try though: our drawstring trousers, preferably in linen. Deep pockets, flattering yet comfy waistline, bespoke-like tapered leg – all yours with these trousers.
If your summer includes a few tropical destinations, don’t board that flight without a pair of these.
The pop-over shirt
For when you need that casual elegance a pullover offers, but you need to breathe. And not sweat. You can roll the sleeves, play with the number of buttons you leave open, and tuck this style statement into your drawstring trousers, or even your chino shorts. You’re likely to be the only person wearing one of these because it’s not something you can easily find sold over-the-counter.
Order yours in a bold colour or two. Of course, linen and pop-over shirts were made for each other, so don’t look any further than linen.
The chino shorts
You should definitely pack your drawstring trousers for this summer’s holiday, but you’re going to need shorts too. Shorts are summer must-haves, of course, but they can so easily stretch and lose shape after a couple of wears. Before you know it, they’ll be looking like cargo shorts from the aughts. Hanging loosely, not doing you any style favours. The solution? Bespoke chino shorts.
A chino short is a slim short that ends just above the knee, not too baggy, not too tight. It wouldn’t look odd accompanied by a shirt, and in fact, might just be the right ensemble for some summer occasions, like beach weddings, outdoor dinners and such. If you’re game, try pairing an unstructured jacket with your chino shorts, and you might just be mistaken for an attendee at Fashion Week.
Summer doesn’t have to be all about avoiding heat by dressing down. You can be stylish in warm weather. Book a time to visit us, and let’s plan your summer wardrobe.