Some guys develop a peculiar cloud of thought as spring arrives and the trees begin to turn green. Clearly, winter sweaters aren’t cutting it anymore, and summertime means hitting the beach, but what can a guy wear when the weather isn’t quite warm enough for either ski parkas or speedos? It’s not uncommon to see someone walking around from March till September wearing white socks and sandals or a college t-shirt that’s older than their first child.
Here are five things that every man should have in his closet since they can be combined in endless ways to last at least two (and maybe even three) seasons. These tried-and-true articles of clothing, from tops to bottoms, shoes to shorts, and sunglasses to spectacles, can save you from appearing like a fool or, even worse, your own father every single year. After all, you don’t want to convey the impression that you’ve given up on life because you want to retire to the golf course before you’re 70.
The polo shirt.
That timeless garment, the polo. Renee Lacoste originally created this summer classic as a tennis shirt in 1926, but it has since become a fixture in every man’s closet. Usually made of cotton, but also available in cashmere, linen, and silk, this is the least time-consuming and most cost-effective option to update your wardrobe. Polo shirts are timeless, inexpensive, and as comfortable to wear as your go-to tee. Anything goes, whether it’s a solid hue, a plaid, a stripe, black, pink, or lime green. Polo shirts can be found in the collections of retailers ranging from Old Navy to Gucci. And they’re sold in every shopping center, independent store, and internet retailer. The polo shirt is the cornerstone of any successful wardrobe makeover due to its classic, ageless, clean, and practical design.
The Khaki Pant
When compared to how long most men keep their undergarments, the khaki pant’s lifespan is paltry at little over 150 years. The tan cotton pant, which was first developed for military use, became popular among the general public in the 1950s and has been there ever since. If you need a bigger size of khakis, the rule of thumb is to look for a pair that is pleated and has a cuff at the bottom (the cuff adds weight to the trouser leg to keep the pleats in shape). Otherwise, flat-front alternatives should be your go-to for shoppers with a waist size of 36 inches or less. Khakis are available in a wide range of colors, from white to green to black, all of which work well during the warm summer months.
The Boat Shoe
There has been a significant expansion in the original purpose of Sperry’s 1935 invention of the boat shoe. The brag shoe is a type of casual men’s shoe that is neither too stuffy nor too lazy; it is often made of leather or canvas and can be worn with or without socks (I prefer without). The trend of men wearing sneakers with every pair of pants is one that should have perished when Seinfeld was canceled. Please leave your sneakers at the gym. To go from the “What is he wearing?” guy to the “Lookin’ Good” guy in a matter of minutes, all you have to do is throw on a pair of boat shoes with your favorite pair of jeans, khakis, or shorts.
Sunglasses Worn By Pilots
A man’s aviator sunglasses are one of the most complimented and macho accessories he may own. When Ray-Ban first debuted these, they immediately became ubiquitous; no self-respecting man in the United States should be without a pair. The lenses of these wire-framed glasses are often two to three times the size of the wearer’s eye socket, and they come in a variety of colors, most commonly grey and green, though I’ve seen blue and purple versions as well. Make sure they protect your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays, and if you can afford it, buy many pairs in different colors (such a gold frame and a black frame). And while wearing these, you may confidently make “Top Gun” references.
Plain white tee
Gentlemen, when I say white, I mean white. I don’t mean white that has turned yellow, dirty, or sweaty. The t-shirt is about as simple as it gets. Plus, every man should have at least one classic white t-shirt in his closet. The cotton t-shirt, whether crew or V-neck (my personal preference), complements any and all of a man’s wardrobe staples. The single most important thing any man can do is to stock up on white t-shirts, which are no longer just shapeless lumps of cotton like they formerly were. They don’t need to be adorned with logos, catchphrases, or fraternity emblems; they’re already small and lightweight, and they help us stay cooler thanks to advances in fabric technology. With the low price of most of them, it’s a good idea to replace them as soon as they lose their pristine appearance.
As you can see, the aforementioned five products cover every base when it comes to clothing for warm climates. They are guaranteed to make even the most drab man look smart at home, on the links, or in the local watering hole.
