The New Summer Suiting Playbook

By Brian Maynor

 

Looking professional doesn’t take a break just because it’s warming up. It just takes a little more work to maintain. And for anyone who lives in a hot, humid climate like Columbia, SC, this takes a lot more work.

Suits are a huge trend right now, for everyone, but there are some new advances making them easier to pull off during the summer months. Here is the lowdown on the new suiting trends you need to know:

1.    The Fresco Suit. I have to admit, this was a new one for me, but essentially it is a ‘tropical weight suit’, which most people in the South are familiar with renamed and branded. The marketing behind the fresco suit is a play on the Italian word for fresh, evoking summers in Italy and their quintessential sense of style.

When it comes down to it, no matter what you call it, these are my preferred professional suiting over cotton or linen. The fabric is a multiple yarn, high-twisted wool in an open weave, which allows for maximum airflow as well as drying ability. Cotton and linen suits will absorb sweat, but wool actually wicks it away. Another plus is that linen and cotton suits inherently look casual and don’t always fit the situation, while the high-twisted wool of the fresco suit keeps the refined, professional elegance of a classic wool suit.

2.    The Chambray Suit. We see a lot of chambray shirts, shorts and pants during the summer, and now thanks to J. Crew and a few other brands we are seeing the material used for complete suits. Chambray is lightweight cotton that has a little sheen or gloss to it, which steps it up in professionalism over a plain cotton suit. Not only is there a nice finish to the fabric, it is also soft and comfortable to wear because it flows and moves effortlessly with you.

3.    Raise the hem. Another tip to pull together summer suiting is to have them hemmed a little shorter than your other suits. Not only does this help lift the visual weight of the suit, it’s summer so you can have your pants pull double duty and wear them with no-show socks in more casual situations. Whether you choose to pair them with sneakers or not is up to you.

4.    Lighten up the palette. Charcoal grey and navy may be the most classic professional suit colors, but it’s okay to lighten them up in the summer months. Not only is it fashionable to ditch the darker colors, it’s practical. So deflect the heat with lighter heather greys, baby blues, or even khakis. With the range of options available I have no doubt you will find a shade that’s perfect for your needs.

Dressing during the summer means you have to be prepared to handle both heat and humidity, and when you’re a professional you have to be able to maintain more than a modicum of professionalism in the process. Take the relaxed vibe of the season and use it to spread your sartorial wings a little.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear some of your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and challenges. Please send your comments and questions to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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