Designasuit

April is fully upon us, bringing muggy weather, random downpours and a hint of sun. Although dressing well in a hot climate isn’t always easy, there’s numerous helpful guides online, meaning you’ll look charming whatever the temperature.

But for those in England, with our intemperate sunshine and storms (both likely in the same day), summer dressing can be awkward.

Starting with the basics, footwear in summer will unavoidably see men everywhere sporting flipflops. There is only one acceptable place for flipflops. It is the beach, preferably white-sanded and blue-sea-lapped. It is not Topshop in Manchester. A better choice is a simple lace up or slip on canvas sneaker in navy or white. Check out Urban Outfitters for these. Wear barefooted for summer, then in cooler autumn weather you can pop on some zany socks and make like your Uncle ‘I’m Crazy, Me!’ Francis.

Working upwards, I won’t pretend that shorts aren’t practical. But that is all. Three-quarter length cargo/shorts/trousers (what are they?) are unflattering, unappealing and, if you have the quintessential English leg (pasty and a bit scrawny) only appear as parachutes around a matchstick. Many men will just bite the bullet and wear dark denim from April to September, despite rapid cases of overheating. Because of England’s mood-swing of a weather system, a lightweight pair of trousers, in tan or beige colour, work well in protecting the pins but keeping you cool. Plus you can roll up the cuffs and look artfully playful, without regressing into ’short trousers’ territory. The Jill Sanders range for Uniqlo has a good selection.

A white tshirt and shirt in summer is essential: a classic look whilst keeping you cool. I’d recommend splashing out a bit more and getting something with 100% natural fibres. The fit will be a bit looser and the breathable fabric will deter excessive perspiration. Try American Apparel for their organic cotton crew necks. Linen shirts are something of a luxury, being a beautiful fabric that also creases woefully and can turn a regular bearded man into a Jesus look-a-like. Some good advice for any pure linen items is a hot wash and hot tumble dry, which is meant to decrease (no pun intended) its creasing qualities. Be careful not to shrink your shirt, however.

With occasional showers, blizzards and gales that are a feature of an English summer, a lightweight jumper is also necessary. Again, go for something with natural fibres and with lightweight wools (such as cashmere) to keep your body temperature regulated. Good oldM&S is excellent for staple buys. Another style take would be a thick, bundled winter-weight jumper to replace the jumper + coat combo. On larger chaps, a heavily patterned jumper would look handsome; on smaller men, a heavily textured one.

The summer coat (which you would hope would be a paradox in itself) is a conundrum. Invest in a well fitted, lightweight, light-coloured trench coat. The trench coat is always, always stylish – think private eye, think smoking under a lamppost – and a lightweight one in summer looks great belted over either a tshirt or shirt and slim leg trousers, or slung over your arm. Muji has a great one here.

On a final note, whichever headwear you choose to protect your noggin, remember: no-one looks good in a baseball cap.

For The Designasuit Media Network by Elly Snare