Don't get caught this summer without these! + 25% off! 🤑

Published: Sat, 07/11/20

Summer Style Essentials

My personal favorite time of year in terms of men's style of fashion is fall and winter. Am I right or am I right? It's sort of a rhetorical question because everybody knows that jeans, boots, sweaters, and killer jackets are all AMAZING. But eventually you'll have to take off that amazing jacket because the summer heat has hit. You certainly can't wear the same cool weather items because you'll sweat your ass off and look ridiculous. So without further adieu, here are my Alpha M. summer essentials.

In terms of summer style fashion, you're limited as far as options. But just like with winter style, your summer style all starts with fit. Fit is what's going to set you apart from the other guys. We all may be wearing t-shirts and shorts, but having a great fit with better fabric is the key. You DO NOT want big and baggy!

Let’s start with the feet. For sexy summer footwear, it all boils down to the footwear trinity: (1) a pair of simple leather flip-flops, (2) a pair of cool casual sneakers, and (3) a great pair of leather driving mocs or loafers. If you must, boat shoes are okay.

Now, all flip-flops are definitely not created equal. In terms of flip-flops, I'm talking about very simple and subtle black or brown leather flip-flops. Rainbows are great, but not blasted across your footwear. Also, simple and subtle as well as understated are what you should pick as opposed to the big bulky strappy monstrosities like mandals.

You certainly can wear pants and jeans in the summer, as well as shorts. All three work with a pair of fashion -or- white (clean & sexy but be sure to keep the upper clean) sneakers as you can't exist in flip-flops alone. Sometimes you want to go running around at a park, riding a bike, walking with a dog, whatever. Sneakers such as Pumas, Chucks, and ASICS have a lot of great fashion sneaker options. These fashion sneakers work with shorts as well as casual cotton pants and jeans. Also check out this analysis I did about who makes the best white sneakers.

I know some of you guys are wild about boat shoes, but I am not. It's not my style. For a simple pair of leather slip-on shoes, I recommend a driving moc or loafer. Either are an option that you can easily throw-on with a pair of shorts, pants, or jeans. You always hear about people dressing up a pair of shorts or dressing up a pair of jeans, and in the summer, the loafer is the right way to do it.

Now in terms of shorts, you need to think versatile & sexy. Your shorts should be tailored and fitted through the thigh. In regard to the length, you need to go with whatever is comfortable. But don't go super long because your legs will look short, and don't go super high because it's a look that many men would have a hard time pulling off.

Start off with a great pair of flat front gray shorts. I particularly like flat front city shorts. You also need a pair of khaki shorts because nothing is simpler or sexier than a white shirt paired with fitted khaki shorts + flip-flops or driving mocs. It's a great look.

I know I ruffled a few feathers with my tweet the other day regarding cutting off jeans into jean shorts. We're not talking about the horrible shorts that your dad would wear. And we're not talking about looking like Huck Finn. We’re talking fitted, cut-off jean shorts that are the bad boy of shorts. Now if you really want to get upset with me, I recommend getting yourself a pair of cargo shorts. I'm serious -- but not the big heavy canvas cargo shorts. I'm talking about the ones that have a little bit lighter weight fabric and are fitted.

Where can you get these shorts? Now your shorts need to be fitted, and yes, they come in different fits. Baggy shorts will make you look dumpy. Your calves will look horrible, and your legs will look like sticks. Many of the shorts I mentioned, namely fitted cargo shorts, can be found in higher end men's stores. Visit J.Crew, Banana Republic, and even The GAP as they have great options for fitted shorts as well. Even Express has decent cargo shorts that are fitted.

Now let's talk about shirts. The white basic t-shirt is the perfect option because it matches with everything. Grab yourself a white v-neck or crew neck. And if you haven't bought any new shirts since last year, you need to inspect them because they have a tendency to build up yellow pits. That's not something you want to be wearing during the summer! Also make sure they fit for your body type.

In regard to other shirt colors, go for black, gray, and light blue. Try a color outside of your style box too -- perhaps a salmon or a pink. Also go for a shirt that has a little bit more attitude and a little more fun such as a retro-inspired vintage tee shirt -- something with a faded screen print on the front. Or even go for a Hawaiian shirt which you can find at H&M, Forever 21, American Eagle, Abercrombie, and any other fast fashion store. Style tip: make sure you roll the sleeves to expose those guns.

And no wardrobe would be complete without a nice fitting white simple collared button-down shirt. If you're worried about your nipples, invest in one that has double pockets on the chest. The pockets give a bit of dimension and character, but they also prevent your areolas from showing through even if you're sweating.

Casual cotton pants that are lightweight are also an item that you can't go wrong with during the summer. You can experiment and play with color to set yourself apart from all of your buddies. Add a fun fabric or braided belt and some cool accessories like bracelets, light-weight Nato watch strap, sunglasses (no better accessory!), man bag, metal water bottle, or even a straw hat, and you'll have a perfect outfit for every summer situation.

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Just don't forget the sunscreen!

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