As the mercury continues to rise, looking cool becomes a lot more challenging even for the most sartorially savvy among us. But it can be done! We’ve rounded up the best cool hot weather Summer fashion essentials and accessories in designer menswear for the sweltering heat, including tops, shorts, hats and water bottles.
cool menswear wardrobe essentials for the sweltering heat
Chances are pretty good you’re sweating right now. It’s brutally hot no matter what air-conditioned haven you’ve found. Daily headlines report record-breaking temperatures across the world and it doesn’t look like things are going to cool down anytime soon. Without getting too doomsday about the sweltering situation we find ourselves in, we can provide some ways to cope in the form of coolest possible things you can wear.
The simple equation of higher temps equals less clothing still stands, but of course you have to maintain some modicum of social appropriateness—a minimum of covering up. Generally, what we’ve been preaching for the last few months about dressing for summer weddings, or getting yourself decked out in linen, or finding self-ventilating pajamas or must-have shorts is all still relevant, but we’ve literally reached a new high at this point. Natural, open-weave fabrics and absorbency are key, but silhouette (space for a breeze) is important, too. Triple-digit temps and heat domes call for the elite cooling gear that acts as your own personal AC. Of course, you’d like to look good, too.
We rounded up the airiest, heat-battling, almost-not-there stuff to keep some kind of equilibrium amongst the scorching chaos. If you have to get dressed and perform societal functions in this weather, you may as well get off some solid fits.
20 essentials in menswear fashion for the sweltering heat
Here’s our edit of the best hot weather Summer fashion essentials in designer menswear for the sweltering heat, including tops, shorts, hats and water bottles.
1. Natural Linen Pique Classic Tee by Buck Mason
Polos usually get the lucky pique treatment, but there’s no reason T-shirts can’t get in on the texture. Buck Mason’s linen pique feels like it’s barely there.
BUY NOW – $78.00.
2. Straight Leg Garment Dyed Linen Shorts by James Perse
Although it’s good and airy, sometimes linen gets a reputation for being scratchy (the last thing you want when perspiration is imminent). Certainly not the case with James Perse’s wildly soft and luxe drawstring shorts in a perfect blue-green for summer.
BUY NOW – $175.00.
3. 1391 Rectangle Sunglasses by Cutler and Gross
Blistering temps either call for beefy sunglasses that create their own shade…
BUY NOW – $625.00.
4. Geometric Sunglasses by Zegna
…or a mirrored pair to get the sun’s rays as far away from you as possible.
BUY NOW – $380.00.
5. Toweling Polo Shirt by Sunspel
Once you accept the fact that sweat will come, you can take practical measures like wearing a shirt made out of terry cloth to abate the effects.
BUY NOW – $160.00.
6. Sadi Cotton Crepe Shorts by Nanushka
Nanushka’s shorts are tailored with a cotton crepe that has a bit of structure so there’ll be minimal skin contact. Let’s keep that air moving.
BUY NOW – $315.00.
7. Striped Mesh Shorts by Burberry
If there’s a breeze, these shorts will allow it right through. Bonus points for the big bold stripes.
BUY NOW – 1,050.00.
8. Cotton Nylon Mesh Polo by Todd Snyder
Team mesh, baby. Inspired by vintage tennis styles, Todd Snyder’s mesh polo maintains the smartness of a polo with the much-needed airflow of athletic jerseys.
BUY NOW – $278.00.
9. Suede and Leather Flip Flops by Brunello Cucinelli
We rarely endorse flip flops in non-water-adjacent scenarios, but when it’s pushing 90+ degrees, go for it. Enjoy. Let those puppies breathe (especially if it’s in Brunello’s supple suede).
BUY NOW – $395.00.
10. Force Shoulder Pouch by Porter Yoshida & Co.
Less clothing equals less pockets. Carry all your essentials in a just-big-enough pouch like this one.
BUY NOW – $130.00.
11. Judo Pants by Lemaire
When they look closer to pajamas than pants, you’ve done it right with these.
BUY NOW – $405.00.
12. Organic Cotton Nordic Bandana by Snow Peak
Bandanas are undeniably handy and can make a simple shorts-and-T-shirt fit look pulled together. Wet it, put it in the fridge, then tie it around your neck on really blistering days.
BUY NOW – $29.95.
13. Chamar Cap by A Kind of Guise
Keeping the sun off of your face is paramount for many reasons, but the last thing you want to do is trap heat. A seersucker cap in a light color is the answer.
BUY NOW – $78.00.
14. Youth Haus Cryocool Face Masks by Skin Gym
The elevated skincare alternative to standing in front of the open freezer. This Cryocool face mask is inspired by the rejuvenating effects of cold therapy and includes seaweed extract, collagen and peptides and vitamin E.
BUY NOW – $30.00 for pack of 5
15. Insulated Water Bottle by Prada
No one needs a Prada water bottle, but doesn’t this slick stainless steel one motivate you to hydrate?
BUY NOW – $195.00.
16. Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Watch by Hamilton
Hopefully your steamy summer days are leisurely enough so you don’t have to be checking the time, but that’s not usually reality. If you’re wearing a watch, bulky metal bracelets or sticky leather straps aren’t the way, either. Enter Hamilton’s low-profile pilot watch with a breathable NATO strap.
BUY NOW – $845.00.
17. Air VaporMax 2023 Flyknit by Nike
Again, we encourage ventilation from head to toe with these.
BUY NOW – $210.00.
18. Space Bucket Hat by Our Legacy
Get that shade alllll the way around with this.
BUY NOW – $140.00.
19. Kito Stripe Swim Trunks by Loro Piana
When the only option to cool down is to find a pool to dunk in, wear these. They’ll even pass as dry-land shorts.
BUY NOW – $820.00.
20. Organic Cotton Trio Socks by RoToTo
Designed and crafted in Japan, these organic cotton socks are naturally cooling without getting into gym “performance” sock territory.
BUY NOW – $55.00.
summer fashion for men when it’s absolutely sweltering outside
That’s our take on hot weather Summer fashion essentials in designer menswear for the sweltering heat, including tops, shorts, hats and water bottles. Stay cool out there, dear reader.
