Dressing For The Weather: What To Wear In The Heat

by Dominic Mullen

From the perspective of this article, we are actually quite lucky with the weather in old Blighty. That bright yellow thing apparently known as ‘The Sun’ visits infrequently, so for the most part, I find my winter / spring autumn wardrobe creeping into the Summer months.


That being said; and increasingly over recent years, we have been experiencing progressively warmer summers. With that in mind, I feel it important to share some of my insights into what I deem to be the best items to kit yourself out with to look classy and stay cool when the sun graces us with her presence. And as always, whilst there are myriad places that you can buy these items from, there are no better than Mullen & Mullen, so please do reach out.


Linen


Whether it be trousers, shirts, shorts, or suits, linen is an absolute non negotiable when it comes to dressing in summer. There is nothing better than a lovely pair of tailored, pleated linen shorts with either a soft cotton t-shirt of a linen shirt to get you through those casual summer BBQ’s. With the popularity of summer weddings, a light material suit is also a rather crucial staple. Linen naturally lends itself more to a casual look, meaning that the separates are incredibly versatile, and you can get real value for money out of a linen number. My personal choice would either be a classic navy, dark green or even brown to give you great versatility.


When it comes to shirts and shorts, think pastel colours. Classically summery, a light pink, blue, yellow or pretty much any other colour linen shirt should be in every mans wardrobe. Not only can you go for a classic linen shirt with an open colour, I would recommend experimenting with camp collars, cuban collars and classic linen OCBD’s for a spice of variety.


Seersucker


Dressing in summer; certainly for me, is expressing yourself and having fun. For me, outside of colour and pattern, I think a great way to do this is texture. Whether it be a pair of shorts, trousers or a full suit, seersucker is a superb choice. Despite not owning as much as I would like, I am a huge fan of seersucker. Not only does it work perfectly for a pair of casual and vibrant swimming trunks, it looks equally as good as a navy double breasted suit. The beauty of seersucker is its beautiful, ridged texture which offers a great casual nod. It is also very light and breathable, and can certainly cope with being slung over the back of a chair at a hot summer wedding. For me, a pair or two of seersucker shorts is something I will always get out for the warmer months.


Knitted Polo’s


To finish off, I want to talk briefly about a style classic when it comes to mens summer outfits. From legends such as Sean Connery to Paul Newman, the knitted polo is a classic option for summer. For the most part, these polos are woven very lightly, so do not think Knitted = Sweat City. They bring a beautiful texture, oddly especially with the small pockets of skin showing through. Either with swimming trunks or shorts to linen trousers, a navy or white knitted polo can be a fantastic option for an summer holiday evening meal.


To finish, below are a selection of images from some of my favourite menswear creators, showing off what pretty well sums up my inspiration for this summer.

 

I hope you enjoy.


Until next time,

Felix Arnold

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Every commission begins with a conversation. Here are answers to some of the questions we're often asked.

Business suits start from £999 for single or double breasted, and from £1,299 for a three-piece with waistcoat. Wedding suits start from £999, averaging around £1,500 depending on cloth and detailing.

The standard turnaround is 10 weeks from first fitting to collection. An express service is available in 5 weeks for an additional fee.

Yes. Alongside the York and London showrooms, Mullen & Mullen serves Sheffield and Manchester by arrangement, with fittings available at a client's home or office.

An independent, family-run business with over 50 years of combined experience in the industry, we pride ourselves on exceptional value: quality that speaks for itself without the inflated price tag. Fittings are in person and unhurried, built around a conversation about how a garment should look, fit, and feel, from a standout velvet jacket to a quietly sharp business suit.

The York showroom is at Unit 3, Middlethorpe Business Park, Sim Balk Ln, YO23 2BD, open by appointment Monday to Saturday, 9:30–5:30.

The London showroom is at 35 Sackville Street, Mayfair, W1S 3EG, open by appointment only.

Yes. Fittings can take place at a client's home or office instead of a showroom, at no extra call-out fee.

Bespoke shirts start from £180, made from English and European mill cloths with a choice of over 60 collar and cuff styles.

A bespoke suit is cut to a client's own measurements rather than a standard size, through a multiple-fitting process designed to get the fit right before it's finished. Cloth, lining, buttons, and detailing are all chosen individually rather than fixed in advance.

This individual approach also means better quality and longevity. A bespoke suit is made to fit and move with you, making it a garment built to last for years, not seasons.

Yes, alongside our bespoke suits, we also make bespoke shirts, overcoats, velvet dinner jackets, and shooting attire. Whatever the garment, the same approach applies: an unhurried, in-person fitting process built around getting the look, fit, and feel exactly right.