STYLE ADVICE: Summer Breeze

After a long, harsh winter that saw both extreme weather (snow after spring break?) and some very bad PR decisions (I’m looking at you, Pepsi & United), the sun has emerged and the 70-degree weather is upon us. With the warm season comes perhaps the most difficult challenge for the fashion-forward man: how to wear less and say more.

This Fashionisto stuck to the cardinal rules of summer style; pairing a breathable linen shirt with chino shorts for a slim, refined look, he put together an outfit perfect for a day spent lounging on the green or grabbing smoothies with a friend. The muted tone of the shorts keeps the attention on the face, and the texture of the button-down shirt lends a clean, casual air to the outfit. Patterns are all well and good, but when trying to create a polished look, opt for textured fabrics and micro prints: subtlety makes all the difference.

Note the details on the shirt. Contrasting buttons (in a woody accent) lie not just along the placket but also on the pocket as well as the back of the collar, giving the garment a unique, innovative flavor—proving, yet again, that attention to detail is the holy grail of style. The classic boat shoes, in a rich chocolate hue, ground the bottom half of the look and accentuate the breezy, Cape Cod-esque feel of the ensemble. Topped off with the patterned brown wayfarers and a charming smile, this Fashionista strikes the perfect balance between reserve and approachability. Could there be anything better?

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