The best summer suits for men
Sharpen up your style with these sleek, lightweight, summer suits for men – ideal when temperatures start to rise
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
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. “Our biggest advice for summer tailoring is fabric first,” says the style experts at luxury fashion retailer, Fenwick. “The main thing to look for is breathability and weight. We’d recommend a fabric such as linen or silk, or a wool mix.”
“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. “Choose a suit that is tailored and makes sure you look smart, but allows a little breathing room,” says Fenwick’s styling team. “In terms of shape, we’d suggest opting for single-breasted styles, which tend to be cooler and looser.” 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, the Fenwick team advises reconsidering 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…
BOSS Virgin Wool-Silk 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, Boss is one such brand. Take this beige double-breasted suit, for instance. Streamlined and sophisticated, it’s constructed from virgin wool blended with silk – a lithe, lightweight option for the summer ahead.
DE PETRILLO Vesuvio Double-Breasted Linen Suit
You won’t find De Petrillo’s latest light-green suit anywhere other than on MrPorter.com, the online retailer having bagged the exclusive rights to this summer-ready two-piece. Cut from lightweight linen, the jacket has padded shoulders for structure, while the trousers feature front pleats and pressed creases. A vintage option now that wedding season is upon us.
TOM FORD Shelton Suit
No one appreciates the maxim ‘the devil is in the detail’ more the Tom Ford. And no one has adopted that aphorism in its clothes more wholly than the great American tailor. When it comes to classic tailoring, Tom Ford 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 silk, 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 (next year will mark 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 blend of linen and cotton that’s specifically woven to remain breathable and soft to the touch.
BOGLIOLI Double-Breasted Herringbone Linen Suit
Don’t let the heat of the sun stop you from making a classic tailoring statement. Another MrPorter exclusive, this double-breasted Boglioli is cut from herringbone linen and only partially lined – making it a great, lightweight choice for summer. Hailing from Naples, at the southern tip of Italy, it’s little surprise that Boglioli has mastered the art of sophisticated summer-facing tailoring.
POLO RALPH LAUREN Double-Breasted Check Silk-Linen Suit
There’s something decidedly vintage about this silk-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 Herringbone linen suit
We like this Brunello Cucinelli suit for its tonal, sandy-beige 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.
