The shoulder overhangs
The seam should stop at the shoulder bone. When it hangs past it, the sleeve dents below the shoulder and the whole garment looks borrowed. Shoulders cannot be altered, so this decides the size.
An independent guide to warm-weather menswear
Dress for the heat, not against it.
Light fabrics, relaxed tailoring and tonal outfits for holidays, heatwaves and long dinners. Practical, easy to follow and free of sales talk.
- Independent
- No product pushing
- UK sizing
- Nothing stored
How it works
- 1
Answer four questions
Your build, your week, the weather and the colours you own. It takes about a minute.
- 2
Get your look
A clear outfit, the three pieces to buy first and the fit points to watch.
- 3
Learn the why
Short guides on fit, fabric and styling, so every future purchase gets easier.
Start here
What are you shopping for?
Fabric finder
What should you wear at 30 degrees?
Move the slider. See which cloths stay cool, which crease and which suit the occasion. It is the quickest way to stop buying the wrong fabric.
Open the full fabric finder →The fit check
Spot the difference
Three mistakes make a good garment look cheap. Each is easy to fix once you know where to look.
The shirt is too long
Untucked, a camp shirt should end at the base of the fly. Longer than that and it cuts the leg in half, making you look shorter.
The trousers pool on the shoe
Fabric collapsing onto the shoe adds weight to the leg and makes you look shorter. A slight break, or none with loafers, keeps the line clean.
Outfits that work
Three looks to copy this week
Evening, 24–30°C
Terrace dinner
Cream knitted camp-collar shirt, white ribbed vest, sand pleated trousers, tan suede loafers
Day, walking
City break at 32°C
Pale blue linen shirt, stone lightweight trousers, white leather trainers
Smart, outdoors
Wedding guest
Light grey tropical-wool trousers, white fine-cotton shirt, sand unstructured jacket, brown loafers
The capsule
Ten pieces for a hot week
One colour family. Over a dozen outfits. Fits in a cabin bag.
- 01Knitted camp-collar shirtcream
- 02Linen shirtpale blue
- 03Ribbed vestwhite
- 04Pleated trouserssand
- 05Light trousersolive or stone
- 06Tailored shortsnavy or stone
- 07Unstructured jacketsand or light grey
- 08Suede loaferstan
- 09Sandals or trainersleather or white
- 10Sunglassestortoiseshell
From the journal
Read before you buy
The knitted camp-collar shirt, explained
Why a knitted camp-collar shirt is the easiest piece to wear in the heat, and the three fit checks that decide whether it looks right.
Pleated trousers, worn properly
How to choose pleated trousers that give you room to move in the heat: rise, pleat type, taper and the right hem.
Linen without the crumple: a realistic guide
What linen can and cannot do, how to choose a blend, and the simple habits that keep it looking deliberate rather than slept in.
Quick answers
Questions we get asked most
What should I wear in 30 degree heat?
Choose breathable fabrics such as linen, a linen-cotton blend or a fine cotton knit, in light colours and a relaxed fit. A camp-collar shirt with pleated trousers and loafers is a dependable combination.
Does linen always look creased?
Pure linen creases easily, which is part of its character. A linen-cotton blend, a closer weave and a slightly roomier fit all reduce it, and steaming rather than pressing keeps it looking fresh.
Can I wear loafers without socks?
Yes, in warm weather and with relaxed or smart-casual clothes. Use a quality leather or suede loafer, and fine no-show socks if you want to protect the shoe.
Are pleated trousers still in style?
Yes. Forward pleats with a mid-to-high rise and a gentle taper are the modern version. They add comfort in the heat because the extra fabric keeps the cloth off your thighs.
How do I know which size to buy?
Use the size finder on this site. Enter your height, chest and waist and you will get a UK size for tops, jackets and trousers, with notes on how to check the fit when you try the garment on.
Not sure where to start?
Four questions. One look. Three pieces to buy first.