I struggle with the heat during summer. I always have. It’s really the only gripe I have about the season. In the winter, when I get colder, I put more clothes on. It’s a pretty simple solution. Unfortunately, in the summer, there is only so much clothing to take off when I get hot. After that, I just sit…sweltering. I’ve always seemed to run hot. Maybe it’s a result of growing up in northern Ohio. Maybe it’s genetics. Whatever the reason, summer can drain me.
I recently picked up a few of the linen shirts I recommended at J. Crew’s latest one day sale. I don’t think I’ve ever been this comfortable in the heat. It got me thinking about how I can work more linen into my summer style. Before I get into a few outfit options, I’d like to go over a few tricky items that come with wearing linen:
1. Wear no more than one piece of linen clothing when possible. Try to avoid looking like a refugee escaping a condemned Margaritaville restaurant. The obvious exception here is wearing a linen suit.
2. Linen is going to wrinkle. That’s ok. That’s the material. Embrace the wrinkle.
3. You’re still going to sweat. That’s ok too. Especially if you wear an aluminum-free deodorant like me (as opposed to an antiperspirant). Your sweat will help cool you, and the linen helps the sweat dry. That’s what linen is supposed to do.
Look 1
Where to wear it: Weekends, reading the newspaper
Chino Shorts: Bonobos // Shirt: J. Crew // Hat: Aviate // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Shoes: Vans // Belt: Ralph Lauren // Bracelet: Kiel James Patrick
Look 2
Where to wear it: Work (if casual), neighborhood cookouts
Pants: Peter Millar // Shirt: Lacoste // Belt: Trafalgar
Shoes: Johnston & Murphy // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Look 3
Where to wear it: Summer weddings, work, daytime dates
Suit: Ralph Lauren // Shirt: Lacoste // Shoes: Magnanni
Belt: Mission Belt // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban // Watch: Bulova
Regards,