Summer is here and it's time for you to store your wool suits and opt for a lighter one that's made out of cotton, linen or other natural fibers.
High-end designers like Giorgio Armani, Paul Smith, Etro, DKNY and Calvin Klein have added cotton suits to their collections but I have seen other retailers like H&M offering a more affordable version.
The ease of a cotton suit
Cotton suits are a great alternative to summer weight wools. They are easily incorporated into a wardrobe. They can be worn with a tee as well as a shirt and tie. A pair of fabulous dress shoes or fashion sneakers, what ever your style, will finish off this cool summer wardrobe essential. keep in mind that the cotton suits offered now are more sophisticated making them better suited for the office or an evening out as opposed to the country club look found in years past.
There are so many ways you can wear a cotton/summer suit. From preppy to edgy, it’s all about personal style and accessories.
Yes even a dark cotton suit can be worn in the summer, specially in the evening, but it has to be light weight. for example a steel blue cotton suit can go from office to an evening out.
Say yes to the plaid
Don't be afraid to take on a light weight plaid suit. It is appropriate for business and an unexpected edge. Just remember, pair it with a solid or subtly patterned shirt. If you are going to wear a tie, keep the colors in the same muted color family as your suit; and if you wear pocket squares, make sure it is as simple as it gets since your suit is busy enough.
The White suit
Pulling off a white suite is not that hard, as long as you dress it down. Keep it relaxed and casual. wear a patterned or colored pocket square with it. Skip the tie and pair it with a light weight cotton shirt and please, no starch, it is supposed to look relax. You don't even need socks. It's summer time.
Linen Suits
I know. Wearing linen can be scary. But if you are going to wear a nice linen suit, which is very appropriate for a hot summer day, embrace the wrinkles, it is the nature of linen. Avoid the big billowy, pleated linen suits and look for one that's slim and has a more modern cut.
if you want to make it look fresh again after you wore it once, steam instead of pressing it. And remember you can wear the suit jacket with your jeans and the pants on its own with a tee or a button up shirt to get more mileage out of it.
Accessorize
Tie: If you are going to wear a tie with your cotton suit make sure your tie is also made out of cotton. if your tie has a busy pattern, stick to a simple shirt.
Shoes: When it's 80 degrees outside, swap your thick soled, laced up leather shoes for a lighter weight, lower cut dress shoes or loafers made from a more pliable leather or canvas. For a more casual look, dress it down with a pair of tennis shoes (the right tennis shoes please) or sneakers.
Hats: Summer hats, like summer suits are all about fabric. If wearing hats is something you do, throw on a cotton driving cap not a tweed one, or stay in fashion with a straw fedora one.
Bags: If you carry a shoulder bag, laptop bag or a briefcase for work, store your black leather one right next to your black leather jacket for the summer. Instead go for a canvas work bag in a lighter color, they look stylish, cool and very summery.
Belts: woven belts look great with cotton suits. Pick a striped one but make sure one of the colors on your belt is found in your suit also.
You don't have to empty out your bank account to look stylish this summer.
Mid-priced designers like Penguin and Brooks Brothers have cotton-twill and seersucker options. Lower-end companies such as Banana Republic and Target have their own versions as well. So no matter what your price-point or personal style, there is a cotton suit out there for you.
