These pieces of apparel will become men's summer wardrobe staples
SFGATE··7 min read
A few versatile staples can make getting dressed during the hottest months of the year a whole lot easier. (Billy Cadden)
Shop the best men's summer clothing, including shorts, T-shirts, polos, sandals, sunglasses, and lightweight jackets from Roark, Kuhl, Birkenstock and more.
Summer is a time to finally trade your puffy, heavy clothes for lighter, brighter, and generally more fun fare. But getting the right clothes (especially finding pieces that go together) can be tough. If your summer wardrobe needs a refresh, don't worry; we've found a dozen garments that'll outfit you for formal days, chill nights, and many pieces that'll allow you to transition between them. We've focused on pieces available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, so you can find threads that feel comfortable to wear and fit your particular style.
We're also conscious of the materials used for these clothes; they should be eco-friendly (when possible) and rugged enough to last several seasons. Finally, we're wary of recommending clothes tied to a particular trend and instead want to highlight timeless pieces that won't go "out of style" or need to be replaced to keep up with the latest fashion. Taking your summer clothes out of the closet should feel like seeing some old friends that only come around when the weather gets warmer.
A pair of shorts should be the foundation of any guy's summer wardrobe, and 3Birds' Breakout Twill Short is the one to get. It's made from 98% cotton and 2% spandex, which makes it comfortable on your legs and around your waist. That little bit of spandex will give the waistband just enough give to avoid squeezing you when you sit or bend over. The relaxed shorts have belt loops, so you can dress them up a bit, and a buttoned pocket to help keep your wallet safe.
What are shorts without a T-Shirt to accompany them? Ice Breaker's tee is made from 100% merino wool and has a breast pocket, which is a design feature you typically miss when choosing a T-shirt over a button-up. It's convenient to have a place to store your sunglasses without risking them falling out when you sit. A benefit of merino wool is that it's naturally odor-resistant, which comes in handy when you walk around in the sun all day, but won't replace true moisture-wicking apparel.
Birkenstocks have been a popular summer shoe for over half a century, and the comfortable sandals belong on every guy's shoe rack. The upper and insole of the shoe are made of leather, so they'll wear well, while their cork footbed has indents to keep every part of your foot comfortable. The shoes' EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) outsole provides greater cushioning and is textured for traction. The shoes have a timeless design, pair nicely with most clothes, and will even look better with age.
Vuarenet's Belvedere 01 will not only help you look cool but also keep your eyes from getting irritated when you're walking or driving. The pair we're recommending has mineral lenses that offer 100% UV protection, 87% infrared protection, 88% visible light absorption, and 92% blue light absorption, all in a color-matched frame. Some lenses are polarized and can have different properties depending on how they're treated, so make sure to consult the "protection" section in their product details. Regardless of which set you choose, Vaurnet's glasses are stylish and functional.
Shorts are great, but the reality is you'll still need to wear long pants in the summer. Roark's Made to Fade Pants are a solid option because they're made from 97% cotton and 3% elastane, which gives them some of the same properties as our 3Bird's summer short recommendations. The relaxed fit pants have a flexible waistband with a drawstring belt that allows you to adjust their fit on-the-fly. You can wear them on a hike to reduce your skin's exposure to ticks, or as an alternative to jeans on a night out.
If you want shorts that are a little more technical than your average pair of shorts, Kuhl's Decevr Short will deliver. The shorts have four pockets and are made from a mix of nylon, spandex, and polyester, which gives them enough flexibility so that you can comfortably wear them during strenuous outdoor activities. The shorts have UPF 50+ protection and are water- and abrasion-resistant. If you do get wet, Kuhl says the shorts are fast-drying, so you shouldn't feel uncomfortable for long.
Staying active in the summer is hard if you're wearing clothes that lead you to overheat. Unknown Runner's Courser Tee is a lightweight T-shirt made from Mirage Wool, the company's blend of merino wool and nuyarn technology. The result is a material that's moisture-wicking, quick-drying, temperature-regulating, and naturally odor-resistant. Importantly, the T-shirt won't cling to your body when you're sweating, which feels uncomfortable as you move around. Unknown Runner says its fabric is nearly nine times more durable than a typical merino garment, so you can hit your PB without worrying about running with a frayed shirt.
Rab's Force Hoody will likely become your go-to garment for chillier nights around a fire pit or on the beach, though it's also designed for more intense outdoor activities. The lightweight hoody is made from the company's UV-protective Dryflo Solar fabric, which offers UPF 40 protection. The PFAS-free material is also moisture-wicking and comes with an odor-resistant treatment. The hoody has thumbholes to prevent your sleeves from riding up, and a drawstring-free design so you don't have to deal with dangling straps. Rab says you can comfortably wear the Force Hoody on its own, but that it has enough space for you to wear a T-shirt underneath if you'd prefer.
A man's summer clothing collection isn't complete until it has a polo, and Cozy Earth delivers. The Everyday Polo is made from a mix of cotton, polyester, and spandex that makes it a breathable and flexible garment. It's also a short-sleeved shirt that's suitable for the office, rooftop bars, the beach, poolside, or on a boat. The garment's versatility means the Everyday Polo actually lives up to its name.
Roark's Bless Up Breathable Stretch Shirt bucks the trend of the traditional button-up by trading stuffiness for comfort. The short-sleeved shirt is composed of nylon and polyester, accented with rubberized buttons. The result is a shirt that's moisture-wicking to keep you from feeling sweaty, while allowing you to maintain your full range of motion. You won't feel an unwanted tug when you reach for something or take a full swing with a wiffle ball bat. Button-up shirts always skew more formal than a polo or T-shirt, but you can get the Bless Up in a fun print to make it feel more casual.
If you're at a function that absolutely requires jeans, it should be this pair from Lee. The straight-style jeans are made from a mix of cotton, polyester, and elastane. They also feature Lee's cool temp technology, which adds moisture-wicking to help you avoid sweat discomfort and prevent overheating. The jeans are part of Lee's Extreme Motion collection, which means they feature an extreme flex waistband, so you'll be able to move around without feeling constricted like you would in a typical pair of jeans.
A lightweight rain jacket is essential to have on hand when the weather turns, and Outdoor Research's Helium UL Jacket is built for unpredictable conditions. It uses a waterproof Toray Dermizax 3D fabric that delivers serious protection while remaining incredibly lightweight and packable. A wire-brim hood, YKK AquaGuard zippers, and reinforced high-wear areas help it withstand hiking, travel and everyday wear without adding unnecessary bulk.
A lightweight jacket is essential to have on hand when the weather turns a little cooler, and Helly Hansen's Marine Bomber Jacket is the one to get. It's made from polyester and elastomultiester and was treated to repel water, so you shouldn't get soaked during a summer drizzle. The cuffs, collar, and waist are ribbed, and both of the jacket's pockets are zippered, so you don't have to worry about your wallet, keys, or other valuables falling out. Better still, it's a garment guys can wear throughout the summer and into those unseasonably warm days in autumn that still have a little crispness in the air.
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