With July 2021 being the hottest month in recorded human history, it’s essential to understand how to dress in the summer. How can you dress well and stay comfortable at the same time? Luckily for you, our expert tailors and stylists break down the best 2021 men's summer fashion tips to keep you looking and feeling great all summer long.

1. Wear Lightweight and Breathable Clothing Materials

The most comfortable men's summer clothes styles start with moisture-wicking materials to help you stay cool. Pay close attention to the types of fabrics you wear this summer and select ones that are lightweight and breathable.

Cool Cotton

Unlike synthetic fabrics like rayon or polyester blends, natural cotton doesn't trap odor or heat. It's no surprise that breathable 100% cotton garments are popular for men's summer outfits. Incredibly versatile, cotton offers numerous textures, weaves and patterns for your go-to summer ensembles:

• Seersucker: A top choice for a classic summer suit, this lightweight cotton is recognizable by its texture of alternating smooth and crinkled vertical stripes.
• Chambray: Sometimes mistaken for denim due to its typically blue coloring, chambray is a lightweight plain-weave cotton fabric.
• Madras: This hand-woven fabric from Madras, India, features striped, checkered or plaid patterns.

Lightweight Linen

Crafted from the fibers of the flax plant, linen is another entirely natural fabric option. Linen fabric is perfect for summer because it is lightweight, breathable and effectively wicks moisture. Look effortlessly sophisticated at summer weddings and outdoor gatherings in linen pants or suits.

Linen often comes in solid colors and showcases a distinctive natural cloth texture that exudes class and comfort. Linen can wrinkle easily, but don't sweat it — that worn-in look adds to the character of the garment. 

Tropical Weight Wool

Wool is typically associated with colder months, but lightweight wools are designed to be worn in the summer. For men that need to wear a suit to the office or formal clothes, tropical wools are perfect for you. Wool offers unique qualities that make it great for summer: 

• Wool pulls sweat away from your skin into the fabric and dissipates it into the air. 
• Wool is odor resistant and helps you stay dry.
• Wool is wrinkle resistant, which eliminates the need to iron it. 
• Wool does not need frequent cleaning. If you wear it once every 7-10 days, it will be good as new, as long as you hang it in your closet to air out. Only dry clean wool if you spill something on it and must get the stain out.  

2. Wear T-shirts, Polos, Button-Ups and Hawaiian Shirts  

For men, knowing what to wear in the summer begins with a great shirt. From casual tops to business shirts, we've got you covered:

T-shirts

Invest in t-shirts that have substance and simple designs. Striped shirts are a great option if you want to wear a nicer t-shirt but still want to keep a casual look. Pair a T-shirt with jeans if it is time to walk the dog or run errands.  

Polos

If you want to dress a little nicer, wear a polo. For a sporty look, wear polos with chino shorts or pants and sneakers. Prefer a more classic aesthetic? Maintain your dapper style in comfort by pairing your polo with neutral colors, a tailored fit and a pair of timeless jeans. 

Button-Up Shirts

Beat the summer heat by wearing button-ups. If you choose to wear long sleeves, go for linen fabric. Plain light-colored shirts are easy to find, but if you're interested in a more colorful wardrobe, try patterns and fresh, vibrant hues. 

• Guayabera shirts: This distinctive button-up style has alforzas, or tiny pleats, running across the front, back and pockets. 
• Hawaiian shirts: Perfect for exploring on the river or hanging out with friends, button-up Hawaiian shirts offer a fun, casual look — not as formal as a dress shirt but a step up from a t-shirt. 

3. Wear Shorts and Pants That Keep You Cooler:

While shorts are informal by nature, you can choose styles wisely to elevate your casual game for the next golf outing or business brunch. Here's how:

• Length: Shorts should have a flat front and hit your leg right above the knee. Avoid overly baggy and long choices.
• Pockets: While pockets are fantastic, avoid bulky cargo pockets, which can look messy or juvenile. 
• Color: We recommend at least two neutral color shorts in your collection, but you can easily add personality with lively color and print additions.

These three shorts styles are staples for every man's summer wardrobe:

• Chinos: Traditional khaki-colored, black and navy chino shorts are versatile options. These are perfect for a business casual summer look.
• Athletic shorts: Mesh or sweat shorts are an easy choice for a casual setting. If you decide to wear athletic shorts, pair them with tees or tanks.
• Denim shorts: Another fashionable option for summer, denim shorts will match with pretty much any shirt you wear.    

Check out these summer style tips for pants:

• Jeans: If you want to wear jeans pants this summer, go for a lighter shade. Pair light-wash jeans with a tucked-in white button-down for a summer business casual look. 
• Chinos: Lightweight and carefree, these pants are made for summer. Olive, gray, blue and earthy hues are stylish chino colors.  

4. Invest in Summer Shoes 

Boat shoes and sneakers are excellent casual footwear picks for summer. Subtle colors are on-trend this season, but wearing low-profile sneakers of any color can work depending on your activity. 

We recommend wearing your shoes with no-show or mid-calf socks in black, white or gray, as these colors will match anything. Keep it sophisticated by choosing shoes that never rise above your ankle. 

Some great summer shoe options include:

• Espadrilles.
• Fisherman-style sandals.
• Canvas sneakers or plimsolls.
• Boat shoes.
• Driving shoes.
• Loafers.
• Suede brogues or derby shoes.
• White leather sneakers.

5. Men's Summer Fashion Tips for Accessories and Other Essentials

Soak up the sun in style and perfect your summer outfits with some of our favorite final touches:

• Jacket: Keep lightweight outerwear with you, as the temperature is likely to drop as the sun goes down. Pick out a color and style that complement your outfits. Unlined denim and bomber jackets are in fashion, especially those in neutral colors.
• Sunglasses: Shades are a must this summer, so invest in a quality pair! 
• Hats: Baseball hats are a popular relaxed style, but think outside the sports cap — straw fedoras and summer dress hats look great and provide sun protection in style. 
• Watches: Change up your traditional leather or metal band for a more breathable, comfortable material on your wrist — like nylon, rubber or mesh. 

Shop Trendy Summer Clothes for Men at Penner’s

For men with style, look no further than San Antonio’s destination for fine menswear — Penner’s. We have everything you need to dress sharp this summer. 

In addition to our collection of summer suits, we offer a wide variety of shirts, including dress, casual and T-shirts, as well as pants, jeans and shorts. We sell shoes bound to match your style, along with hats and other accessories. 

Our family-owned business has been making men look great for over 100 years. Give us a call at 210-226-2487, visit us in-store or shop online today!