The best summer suits for men
Sharpen up your style with these sleek, lightweight, summer suits for men – ideal when temperatures start to rise
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You don’t need us to tell you how unpredictable UK summers can be. Plan a wedding in August and, until the morning of the big day, you don’t know if you’re in for torrential rain or an absolute scorcher. It could be wet and miserable, or cloudy and nippy, or hot, properly hot, piña colada around a Mediterranean swimming pool hot. And when things get that hot, just the thought of having to wear a suit is enough to make you sweat. But you needn’t let record-breaking temperatures kibosh your style; when the mercury rises, so too do the opportunities to get creative with your summer suiting choices. You just need to know what to look for.
The first thing you should consider is fabric. Perhaps the most important aspect of tailoring, your fabric choice will dictate how warm or cool you’ll be. For warmer months, you’re better off steering clear of heavier weaves like tweed or cashmere blends.
“Keep it cool and loose,” says Rob Charnock, CEO of Savile Row tailor and cloth merchant Dugdale Bros & Co. “Only use natural fibres such as wool, cotton, linen and mixtures of noble fibres like silk.” Plumping for these lighter, more breathable textiles will ensure you’re not left sweating through your suit by the time you reach the office, but if you’re concerned about wrinkling, there are still options to consider, such as wool or linen blends. “Wool in plain weave construction is cool to wear and holds a sharp line for tailoring, while shedding unwanted wrinkles,” says Charnock.
The second consideration that must be made for summer suiting is cut. Sure, a sharp three-piece never fails to impress, but as temperatures rise, excess layering will not be your friend. Alternatively, lean into relaxed summer vibes and go for something a little more trendy. “A looser-fitting silhouette is finding favour,” says Charnock, who recommends more voluminous pleated trousers and unlined, unstructured jackets when you want to feel as fresh as you look.
The third thing to think about when finding your perfect summer suit is colour. Though largely dependent on occasion, this is where you really get to have some fun. It should go without saying that dark colours – black, navy blue and charcoal grey – are best avoided at this time of year, but if work requires them, reconsider your fabric choice. For anything else go wild. For events such as weddings or garden parties, run free with pastels and lighter colours, such as khaki and light grey, which will help reflect light and keep you cool. Not so sure you can pull off a pastel pink number? “Garments constructed of more reserved blues, greys, tans and olives will work as long as they are melange,” advises Charnock.
With fabric, cut and colour taken care of, the final thing to think about in terms of summer suiting are your styling choices. For footwear, a pair of sharp Oxfords will work perfectly for more formal occasions, while a pair of fresh white trainers make for a much more casual edge to your ensemble. Your choice of shirt is another excellent way of showcasing personal style and, while we’ll never turn our noses up at a sharp white shirt, summer offers you the opportunity to shake things up and get adventurous with an unexpected, coloured polo, or even a floral patterned number.
So, now you know what you’re looking for, here’s our pick of the best suits to supercharge your look this summer…
Eleventy linen-blend suit
When it comes to specific types of menswear, some brands can be counted on as reliable fallbacks. In the case of the smart, clean-cut two-piece suit, Eleventy is one such brand. Take this beige double-breasted suit, for instance. Streamlined and sophisticated, it’s constructed from linen blended with lyocell – a lithe, lightweight option for the summer ahead.
Hugo by Hugo Boss Wool Suit
Ready to brave a bit of colour? Hugo Boss’ diffusion line is a great place to start for quality tailoring at price points worth taking a risk on. Cut from lightweight wool, the jacket is lightly padded for structure, while the trousers feature pressed creases. A vintage option now that wedding season is upon us.
Pal Zileri Vicenza Suit
No one appreciates the maxim ‘the devil is in the detail’ more than Pal Zileri. And no one has adopted that aphorism in its clothes more wholly than the great Italian tailor. When it comes to classic tailoring, Pal Zileri hits the button every time. This lustrous blue suit, for example, features padded shoulders and wide lapels, yet still manages to cut a svelte shape. It’s infused with cotton and linen, so relatively lightweight, and has a radiance that will make a statement in any office.
PAUL SMITH Linen suit
There’s a reason Paul Smith has stood the test of time (this year marks the 50th anniversary of the brand’s inaugural menswear collection). The company remains under Smith’s personal control, for one thing. Which means the brand has always stayed true to its roots. Namely, erudite tailoring where less is more, yet every detail has been cleverly thought out. This linen suit is a lesson in chic summer dressing.
slowear Linen-Cotton 2-Piece Suit
Starting out as a company making trousers for various militaries, it makes sense that Slowear knows a thing or two about utilitarian workwear. It’s also a dab hand at contemporary, technical tailoring, as you can see from this unstructured suit. It’s made from a fine linen that’s specifically woven to remain breathable and soft to the touch.
NN07 Double-Breasted Linen Suit
Don’t let the heat of the sun stop you from making a classic tailoring statement. This oversized double-breasted NN07 suit is cut from relaxed linen and only partially lined – making it a great, lightweight choice for summer. Fun fact: the ‘NN’ in the name stands for ‘No Nationality’ while the 07 refers to the year the brand was founded.
POLO RALPH LAUREN Glen plaid Suit
There’s something decidedly vintage about this wool-linen double-breasted suit from Ralph Lauren. Perhaps it’s the tan colour, perhaps it’s the check pattern, perhaps it’s the wide peak lapels. Whatever it is, it works; especially for summer, when most men will be reaching for navy- or pastel-coloured suits. Standout from the crowd in a suit that channels retro ’70s chic.
Brunello Cucinelli linen suit
We like this Brunello Cucinelli suit for its tonal green-grey colour. We like it for its elegant-yet-relaxed profile and for its summer-ready linen composition. Mostly, though, we like this Brunello Cucinelli suit for those striking wide peak lapels. Retro callbacks done properly.
Kingsman Harry's pinstriped super wool suit
We know we said avoid navy and stay clear of double-breasted during the British summer. But we also reminded you of the unpredictability of those middle-of-the-year months. Plus, this stately-looking suit is manufactured from super fine 120s wool, which means it’s lightweight and will let your body breathe – even when things get sweaty.
