How To Dress Your Man For Summer

The sun seems to be out again, and with temperatures potentially soaring through June/July I can only imagine what nightmare get-ups I’m about to witness as thousands of men across the country plough through their drawers at home looking for the short/T-shirt combinations.

This week ladies the heat is off you. I’m going to give you a quick once-over of how to dress your boyfriend this summer so that you don’t feel like you have to walk three or four paces behind.

The key things that look horrendous on men when they decide to strip off include…pale, hairy feet and legs; three-quarter-length sports trousers or those with the toggle at the bottom; Bright coloured T-Shirts with comedy, cartoon, Mr Men logos; Football shirts (unless vintage Italy, Holland, France, England red 1966 full sleeve or Spain) and those awful comfort sandals that are bordering on correction footwear.

So, as with the ladies, the important thing for men to do is add a hint of colour to the skin, including feet, before exposing them to the unsuspecting public.
Ladies, you can do this for your man. It will save those embarrassing orange streaks that he will inevitably get after applying a tanning moisturiser and it COULD also lead to something quite naughty!

Hairy toes is always a no, no. It’s not so bad with a tan, but girls, again, I’m afraid it’s up to you to keep your man’s random hairs in-tact. Make sure he has moisturised his feet, that his nails are well looked after and hairs neatly preened and not sporadic.

Footwear is simple in the sun – Havaiana flip-flops, Birkenstocks and espadrilles or a suede loafer (Florio Kurt Geiger £95) work brilliantly with a subtle tan and knee length shorts. They also work with rolled up jeans (baggy or slim) and linen for the smarter casual attire.

Shorts can be a real sticking point for men. What length, style, colour? It’s easy, for out and about shopping wear a short that reaches the top of the knee in a nice navy, Khaki or dark green – H&M do nicely priced colours and styles. Don’t be afraid of gingham or checked shorts either, because they look trendy and stylish.

T-shirts should compliment the shorts, for example, a khaki short would look good with a navy T-Shirt and navy shorts look good with a white T-shirt.

Only wear vests if you have a nice colour and shape. A belly and flabby tattooed arms is a no, no. However, if you have a shape and tattoos (nicely designed NOT bulldogs) that’s fine – I have tattooed arms myself!

Vests can be accompanied by accessories, such as drooping chains and bracelets, but please, NEVER put your man in tight neck chain with a tooth on it or beads. IT IS NOT COOL!

Evening wear can be rolled up trousers, jeans or shorts, and it’s nice to wear a thin cotton shirt in white, navy or black. However, if the weather is hot a T-shirt is fine. Vests are a no, no in the evening unless you’re very cool and abroad or wearing one under an open shirt.

A loose open cardigan can look great over a vest or shirt!

On younger men you can’t beat (if the skin is well kept and tinted) a nice flip-flop, knee length short, T-shirt or vest with Ray Bans and a straw hat with accessories.
For those a bit older, make a variation of this look but with a T-shirt and Birkenstock.
H&M, Top Man, Zara, New Look all cater for you within very fair prices. Schuh, Office will have the flip-flops and the Birkenstocks.

Happy dressing! : )

Robin x

Read my previous column about dressing yourself in the summer here