The dreaded summer style rut. It’s a sartorial trap we’ve likely all found ourselves in. We get so used to having a bountiful supply of layering options at our disposal during fall, winter and spring that by the time the hot weather comes back around, we’ve completely forgotten how to dress for it. And so onto the T-shirt-and-shorts merry-go-round we hop, again and again, day after day.

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. This article is designed to help you get out of your rut and get back on track with your warm-weather wardrobe. The key is to have a few tricks up your T-shirt sleeve that will allow you to keep things varied, on-trend (within reason) and fresh. This way, you’ll never be stuck for inspiration, and you’ll be able to add a touch of personality to even the most basic of outfits.

From introducing new textures to harnessing the power of contrast, there are several simple ways you can upgrade your summer style and keep your outfits interesting. Here are a few of our favourites to keep you looking your best in 2024.

Upgrade Your Short-Sleeve Shirt Game

When you think of a short-sleeve shirt, you might just think of a classic Oxford minus the fabric from above the elbows down. But ‘short-sleeve shirt’ is a pretty broad category, and there’s plenty of scope to keep things interesting.

The key things to remember are colour/pattern, material and silhouette. These are the parameters you can use to dial things up or down. If you want to keep things subtle, you could opt for a neutral short-sleeve shirt made with an upscale material like linen or silk. Or, to liven things up, you could go for a camp collar with a boxy silhouette and a summery floral print.

A knitted short-sleeve shirt is also an excellent option. It’s great for adding some much-needed texture to summer outfits; it can be dressed up or down, and it’s far more interesting than boring old cotton.

Find A Signature Summer Fragrance

Continuing to wear a heavy winter fragrance into the winter is a mistake we see (smell?) all too often. Anything overly leathery, smoky or earthy can feel overpowering in the warm weather, which is why it’s always a good idea to have a go-to scent for the cooler half of the year and another for when the weather begins to warm up.

When searching for a summer fragrance, you should be looking for something zesty, light, floral, citrusy, or a combination of all the above. You don’t want anything too rich, but it still needs to hold up in the heat.

Fragrantica is a great resource for finding a fragrance that fits the bill. It collates user feedback to provide detailed information on pretty much any fragrance you can imagine, including the recommended season, balance of notes and even genuine user reviews.

Adopt A Seasonally-Appropriate Skincare Regimen

Seasonal grooming doesn’t end with finding a warm-weather fragrance. You should also review your skincare routine and dial it in accordingly. We recommend using an SPF moisturiser all year, but it’s particularly important in the summer months.

If you want to get a nice tan, you need to get rid of dead skin cells. The most effective way to do this is to exfoliate. Find a good face scrub and use it after washing your face and/or body.

Use Contrast To Turbocharge Your Outfits

Summer outfits don’t have to be wild and wacky to be attention-grabbing and interesting. One simple trick is to dial the contrast up, which can help make simple outfits pop.

Pick either a light or dark colour as a base and a contrasting shade as the accent. Keep the balance overall at around 70/30. That could mean wearing cream trousers, white sneakers, a white T-shirt and a navy overshirt, or it could mean wearing black trousers, black loafers, a black vest and a beige camp-collar shirt.

It’s a simple rule, but it can be highly effective.

Play With Pattern

If you’re the type of guy who shys away from patterns and prints, summer is a great time to branch out and start experimenting. You don’t have to dive straight into the deep end with an all-over tropical print, either. Some simple stripes or geometric patterns can really bring an outfit to life.

We think a short-sleeve shirt is the perfect vehicle for this. Particularly a nice summery one in a breathable fabric with an open collar and a relaxed fit.

Just remember to keep everything else nice and toned down so the patterned piece can take centre stage.

Wear The Right Fabrics

Thinking about fabrics is important if you want to nail summer style. Picking the right ones will help to keep you comfortable and cool in the heat, but they can also add another dimension to your summer outfits by bringing a touch of texture to the table.

Linen is one of our all-time favourite summer materials, and it’s certainly one you should stock up on. It’s lightweight, breathable, quick-drying and moisture-wicking. A linen shirt, in particular, is a great substitute for a classic Oxford button-down – its rumpled appearance will add a dose of sprezzatura nonchalance to your warm-weather wardrobe.

Outside of linen, consider other comfortable warm-weather fabrics like seersucker, terry cloth and Lyocell/Tencel if yo’re looking for a noticeable upgrade from cotton.

Accessorise Accordingly

Don’t forget to use accessories to add a bit of personality to your outfits. Summer is the perfect time to start dabbling in men’s jewellery – a rope bracelet, a pendant chain or a few rings, for example – since it won’t be covered by many layers.

Arm yourself with a good baseball cap or two to keep the sun off your head in style, too. We like a simple, understated ‘dad cap’ in plain cotton, but we’re also big fans of anything that uses slightly elevated materials.

Don’t Rule Layering Out

You probably associate layering with winter rather than summer, but it’s not completely out of the question. Knowing how to do it effectively in warmer temperatures can really help you take your summer style to the next level.

Start with a plain T-shirt or vest (white is always a safe bet) and, depending on the temperature, add a camp collar shirt, a long-sleeve linen shirt or an overshirt over the top. Leave it unbuttoned for best results.

Socks: Choose Your Fighter

Millennials and Gen Z are engaged in a sort of sock proxy war at the moment. Those born before the turn of the century tend to prefer short sports socks while those born after are all about the mid-length crew socks.

There are arguments for both, but if you want to keep your style looking current we’d advise opting for the latter and choosing a no-show sock, or even no socks at all anytime a full-length sock doesn’t look right with the outfit.