The Best Summer Menswear to Buy This Week: July 28, 2023

May 20, 2023

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Is it just us, or does it feel hot… everywhere? We don’t have a solution to the problem of rising temperatures, but we can tell you where to go to procure lyocell-blend polos from Frescobol Carioca, linen beach shorts by Todd Snyder, and the Anglo-Italian interpretation of a madras shirt. And while it’s hard to imagine wearing additional clothing under the circumstances, lightweight layers exist as a hopsack sport coat by Drake’s, a 7oz cotton version of Anderson & Sheppard’s acclaimed travel jacket, and an ultra-breezy nylon blazer via Aspesi. More coping strategies below.

Maker of ultra-lightweight Chelsea boots Rakoh has expanded its remit to include slip-on sneakers. Like Rakoh’s existing product, the sneakers are made in Italy—right outside of Florence, as it happens—and utilize luxurious materials including buttery Tuscan calf leather or rich suede. A soft foam foundation provides shock absorption for days.

Buy Now on Rakoh: $365

Yes, we realize that by this point in the season you’ve been inundated with the phrase “travel jacket.” But that ubiquitous marketing term doesn’t do justice to this true four-season piece from Drake’s, which is made from a breathable and naturally wrinkle-resistant hopsack wool. Its on-the-road utility is further bolstered by internal patch-and-flap passport pockets.

Buy Now on Drake's: $1,795

What, precisely, is the purpose of the buckle at the rear of this vintage-washed jean jacket by Alex Mill? The official line is that it can improve the fit by cinching the back, but we all know its primary purpose is to look cool

Buy Now on Alex Mill: $220

Yes, it’s technically possible to make a silk sport shirt appear subtle… but why not go for it? That seems to have been the direction John Elliott chose, as this silk shirt’s diamond pattern does anything but blend in.

Buy Now on Neiman Marcus: $498

Think of all the spontaneous singles matches you’ve missed out on because you didn’t have the proper equipment on your person. That’s no longer an excuse now that Pineider is producing this handsome tennis backpack, made from cotton canvas with calf leather trim and featuring dedicated compartments for carrying shoes, balls and up to two racquets.

Buy Now on Pineider: $1,680

The Barbie effect, as we’ve decided to call it, may have you rethinking pastels. But if powdery pink feels too on the nose, consider this recycled wool overshirt from A.P.C in a soft purple shade.

Buy Now on A.P.C.: $350

A summer this sweltering brings out our appreciation for anything breathable, moisture-wicking and/or odor-resistant. As it happens, all three of those qualities apply to Proof’s “72-Hour” tee, which is made from a lightweight blend of nylon and merino wool.

Buy Now on Huckberry: $88

While everyone else goes about in linen camp shirts and cotton shorts, there is a certain subset that can’t wait for sweater weather. The latter camp can set the calendar ahead by pulling on this Maison Margiela crewneck, composed of a breathable blend of wool, linen and cotton.

Buy Now on Saks Fifth Avenue: $1,035

Most aloha shirts are content to depict a few flowers or hula girls and leave it at that. But this latest iteration of Mister Freedom’s Rock ‘N’ Roll shirt—appropriately dubbed “Action Packed”—sports a custom print that depicts surfers, stock car racing and speargun-toting divers.

Buy Now on Standard & Strange: $310

Sure, we all love the idea of a white sport coat in summer, but the danger is that you’ll look like Tom Wolfe at best, and Colonel Sanders at worst. A safer route to optic-white second layers comes courtesy of this casual Jil Sander overshirt, whose relaxed fit and denim fabric make it less high-stakes.

Buy Now on Saks Fifth Avenue: $1,480

Summer can be tough for those partial to a black wardrobe. Luckily, anyone accustomed to dressing on the darker side can find relief in these Todd Snyder beach shorts cut from a black Italian linen with an easy elastic drawcord waist.

Buy Now on Todd Snyder: $148

“Scribble stripe”; that’s the glorious descriptor of this patterned Marni shirt, which juxtaposes tangerine bars with doodly hearts and flowers straight from the margins of a school planner. Balancing out that childish motif is an extra generous camp collar.

Buy Now on Shopbop: $750

Anglo-Italian built its business around a passion for proprietary fabrics and a soberly serious color palette. Both are expressed via this linen madras button-down, whose charcoal and navy double stripe is a refreshing rejoinder to the fabric’s typical technicolor tones.

Buy Now on Anglo-Italian: £145.83 (ABOUT $189)

We have it on good authority that fishing shirts are “having a moment.” Truthful or not, you’d be wise to consider this shirt from all-caps Japanese streetwear label WTAPS (pronounced “double taps”), which, match a ripstop cotton-blend fabric to a concealed snap placket for a clean, utilitarian look.

Buy Now on Mr. Porter: $245

Thirty-eight days: that’s all stands between now and Labor Day. And should you observe its directive involving white clothing, you’ll want to slip into this cream-colored cotton-linen sport jacket from Polo Ralph Lauren post-haste.

Buy Now on Ralph Lauren: $598

At a time of the year when it’s not really possible to add extra layers, the texture-rich hit of a suede belt can go a long way toward adding extra interest to a simple outfit. This cognac-colored iteration from Zegna, which maintains a clean design aside from a subtle triple-stitch detail at the keeper, will do the job with aplomb.

Buy Now on Browns: $505

The high waist, no matter what you say about its styling, is comfortable. Now, add an elasticated waistband to the mix, loosen the fit and make its fabric a silky viscose blend, and you have… this supremely louche pant by Saint Laurent.

Buy Now on LuisaViaRoma: $1,650

Anderson & Sheppard has rolled out a lightweight version of their customer-favorite travel jacket, this time cut from a 7oz cotton drill. And though it may be lighter in weight than its fall/winter cousins, it still boasts a whopping 15 external and internal pockets.

Buy Now on Anderson & Sheppard: $2,600

The thermostat is tipping 90, and you’ve got an occasion that still requires you wear a sport coat. Your options are to stay home in the air conditioning… or pull on the aptly named Paperino blazer by Aspesi, made from a lightweight, matte nylon fabric that’s cool to the touch.

Buy Now on Aspesi: $565

There’s a Bahaus appeal to this stark Lanvin tote, made from a high-contrast combination of milky white cotton and shimmering black leather trim and straps. Consider breaking its duality with a couple apples from the farmer’s market.

Buy Now on Farfetch: $1,590

Is it too early to start thinking about fall footwear? No, not when Jacques Solovière is running a pre-order (with a slightly reduced price) on upcoming autumnal features including its Oli derby made from velvety suede with grained calf leather trim.

Buy Now on Jacques Solovière: $366.22 $292.97

Nothing against pink, pistachio, ice blue, etc., but sometimes it’s nice to have a classically cut Bermuda short in a neutral hue. Loro Piana’s Honiara shirt meets that first criteria, and as a bonus, is made from lightweight linen canvas.

Buy Now on MyTheresa: $760

A little lyocell can go a long way towards making a knit garment comfortable for summer wear. And a lot of lyocell—47%, in the case of this cotton-blend Frescobol Carioca polo—makes it a heat wave must-have.

Buy Now on Frescobol Carioca: $175