Staying Cool in the Heat
With temps here in the 80’s this week in the south, we got an early taste of the summer heat ahead. This preview of summer reminded me that most guys don’t enjoy the heat, especially if their work environment includes suiting. The truth is that most men “run hot” and hate to be overdressed in clothing at any time of the year, but especially during the summer months. It is important that a stylist can help a guy feel not only stylish but comfortable, too. You need to have a clear conversation about his comfort and how to help him be cool and confident as the summer approaches. That feeling of being overheated is uncomfortable for anyone, but especially for guys who run hot, and it can be embarrassing, too, if you sweat more than most. Despite strong air conditioning in most work environments, staying cool and staying work-appropriate can be a challenge, but I have some useful tips to keep your clients keep their cool as the temperatures begin to rise.
1. Shirts That Breathe Your shirt should be lightweight and in a breathable fabric. I recommend our journey linen shirting, which has a lightweight “airy” weave that is designed for breathability. Linen is a natural fiber known for its airy structure and used in clothing from ancient times dating before the Roman Empire. The exclusive “journey finish” from Thomas Mason adds wrinkle resistance, which helps the shirt look fresh all day long. |
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2. Choose Suiting Fabrics for Comfort and Coolness. Most of our suiting fabrics are chosen for year-round wear, and our lightweight wools wear especially well when combined with some of the lining options (see below). We currently have Italian blended wools mixed with linen, silk, and cotton for summer fabrics that tailor beautifully and are part of every man’s summer wardrobe in Italy and the Mediterranean. Lighter colors in suiting also work better in the heat as they reflect rather than absorb light, meaning that lighter colors feel cooler, so avoid navy and black and opt for mid-blue, pale grey, or Khaki. |
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3. Master the Art of Unbuttoning Your Suit Jacket A simple trick is to let the air circulate more around your body and help with the cool-down process you need to stay comfortable.
4. Lose the Sock Not every guy feels comfortable with a sockless shoe, but loafers and car shoes are designed to look great and feel comfortable without a sock. This little adjustment to your outfit can add a few degrees of much-needed comfort. |
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5. Try a Looser Fit. By adding a little room of an inch or two to your sportscoat through the body, you create a larger layer for air to circulate around your body. This will help humidity escape easier and ease the evaporation of any sweat formations.
6. Lose the Lining. Our lining options offer multiple ways to lighten the jacket without compromising the tailoring. A fully lined jacket adds a full layer throughout the body and sleeves of the jacket, whereas the half-lining option removes a larger portion of the back and front chest lining. Added to this, our Deconstructed jacket not only comes with half-lining but also has lightened components such as shoulder pads and chest pieces, making for an even more comfortable experience. |
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