sunglasses in sand

As the weather gets warmer, it’s time to embrace the sunny days and bring out the sun cream. The real question is… What type of clothes do you wear in hot weather? We know finding suitable summer clothing can be a challenge, which is why we’ve put together some helpful style tips for your next sunny adventure. 

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • The coolest fabrics to wear for summer
  • What colours to wear to keep cool
  • How to style more vibrant patterns (even if you're not a colour and print kind of guy.)
  • And a whole lot more!

The Best Materials For Hot Humid Weather 

Mauve Non-Iron Short Sleeve Shirt

Mauve Short Sleeve Non-Iron Shirt

Cotton

When it comes to beating the heat and staying comfortable on hot summer days, cotton truly reigns supreme. This amazing fabric has the incredible ability to absorb water up to 27 times its weight, making it a natural moisture-wicking champion. But it doesn't stop there. Cotton's absorbent properties not only keep you dry but also allow air to circulate through the fabric, creating a built-in cooling system for your clothes. The result? A gentle and soft fabric that feels amazing against your skin all whilst keeping you cool and refreshed. When shopping, we recommend looking for 100% cotton shirts as these not only keep you cool but are less likely to crease. 

Mid Blue Linen Blend Short Sleeve Casual Shirt

Mid Blue Linen Blend Short Sleeve Casual Shirt

Linen

Linen summer shirts are an essential holiday must-have for men and should be at the top of your list. Linen is a fantastic choice for hot weather conditions, thanks to its exceptional breathability. This fabric is not only lightweight but also loosely woven, allowing heat to escape effortlessly. Moreover, linen has remarkable moisture-absorbing properties, quickly wicking away sweat and ensuring you keep cool and dry. So, if you want to beat the summer heat in style and comfort, don't forget to include linen shirts in your wardrobe: they're the perfect companion for a cool and breezy summer look.

Discover the ultimate blend of comfort and breathability with our linen blended shirts. We have combined the cooling properties of linen and the hard-to-crease benefits of cotton, meaning you have the best of both worlds in a single shirt.

Oxford Short Sleeve Casual Shirt in White and Pale Blue, Cinnamon Multi-Weave Casual Shirt

Oxford Short Sleeve Casual Shirt in White and Pale Blue, Cinnamon Multi-Weave Casual Shirt

The Best Colours To Wear in Hot Weather

When looking for the best colours to wear in hot weather, you can’t go wrong with a light-coloured shirt. It’s well recommended that white and light colours are most effective in keeping you cool, and we couldn’t agree more! This is because white is the best conductor of heat, meaning that it reflects the most amount of light from the sun.

However, if you're not particularly fond of white or simply want to add some variety to your wardrobe, consider upgrading your essential core colours to lighter versions. Instead of abandoning your preferred fashion palette, opt for lighter shades of your go-to colours. For instance, choose a lighter blue, a softer olive tone, a milder brown, or a paler shade of grey. These subtle variations retain the familiarity of your preferred colours whilst offering a refreshing and summery twist. Don't be afraid to experiment! Embrace the lighter side of your wardrobe for a stylish and comfortable hot-weather ensemble.

The Ideal Fit For Summer Shirts

When searching for a summer shirt, prioritise finding one that offers a looser and more comfortable fit. Specifically, find a shirt that provides an additional inch of room in the waist and chest, as well as about half an inch more space in the shoulder area. This will help prevent the fabric from sticking to your skin due to sweat and keep you feeling more comfortable.

With Double Two shirt sizes ranging from Medium to 5XL in casual, and 15” to 23” collars in formal, use our size guide to find the perfect size for you. 

Men’s Summer Styles For All Your Plans

Blue Floral Print Short Sleeve Casual Shirt

Blue Floral Print Short Sleeve Casual Shirt 

Fun Festival Looks

Festivals provide an opportunity to express yourself and showcase your individuality through your clothing choices. When looking for men's festival shirts, vibrant colours, bold patterns, and unique styles are the way to go. The Trend Spotter recommends a floral print shirt, and we couldn’t agree more! A floral print shirt is a vibrant way of expressing yourself and overall fits with the theme of most summer festivals. Consider pairing them with solid-coloured bottoms, such as shorts or jeans, and some comfortable footwear to create a practical and visually appealing outfit.

Red Hawaiian Print Short Sleeve Casual Shirt 

Red Hawaiian Print Short Sleeve Casual Shirt 

Summer Holiday Styles

When going on holiday, you should focus on buying comfortable and lightweight fabrics that can endure any conditions. Your ideal summer holiday clothing should be durable, easy to wash, and preferably crease-resistant. Especially when you are exploring, it's important to avoid tight collars, seams that might catch, and buttons that may rub against your skin, as you will be moving a lot during the day. 

Although you should think about practicality, style should be considered as well! Go for a tropical shirt to give some colourful variation to your summer outfit. A good example of this would be a classic red Hawaiian print shirt, which you can always wear on its own, or over a white t-shirt as a thin and stylish layer. Pair this with some lightweight shorts or trousers and some comfortable sandals for the ultimate holiday look. Remember, some holiday restaurants may require men to wear trousers and not shorts in the evening! If this is the case, you can’t go wrong with a pair of smart fitting chino trousers in a neutral beige tone or navy. 

Yellow & Navy Blue Check Short Sleeve Casual Shirt and Navy Blue Cotton Chino Shorts

Yellow & Navy Blue Check Short Sleeve Casual Shirt and Navy Blue Cotton Chino Shorts

Pub Outfit Inspiration

When choosing what to wear to the pub on a scorching hot day, prioritise both comfort and style. Consider investing in some short sleeve shirts like button-downs or polos to keep cool. Wearing checks would be the most suitable pattern for a visit to the pub, as it gives off a more casual vibe to your clothes. Remember, although there is no dress code, you may get some looks if you’re in full formal attire! We recommend our light blue check shirt paired with some lightweight, well-fitted shorts for relaxed beer garden styling. For footwear, go for comfortable options like loafers or canvas shoes that allow your feet to breathe. Complete your outfit with a stylish hat to shield your face from the sun and sunglasses to protect your eyes. 

Blue & White Striped Oxford Short Sleeve Casual Shirt

Blue & White Striped Oxford Short Sleeve Casual Shirt

BBQ Party Fashion 

It seems like such a simple task, but when you try to choose what to wear to a BBQ, there are too many options! Generally, you should be going for a casual and relaxed look and light colours to keep yourself cool. In our opinion, there’s nothing quite like a striped short sleeve shirt to add style to a bbq outfit. These are shirt styles you could wear with the buttons done up,  or open as a layer to a white t-shirt to add some dimension to your clothing. To complete your outfit, pair it with some neutral-coloured shorts (or trousers if you’re with the in-laws!) and some breathable footwear.

Styles for the Office  

Picture this: it’s 30°C outside and your office has no air conditioning. What do you do? We know picking summer work wear can be hard, especially when your company has a dress code. At Double Two, we know how important it is that men's summer formal wear is both smart and well-ventilated. 

Long Sleeve Floral Print Formal Shirt in Blue & Pink and White Dobby Weave Formal Shirt With Contrast

Long Sleeve Floral Print Formal Shirt in Blue & Pink and White Dobby Weave Formal Shirt With Contrast 

We recommend wearing polo shirts and chinos trousers as these are made of lightweight materials – therefore reducing the chance of you overheating and still keeping that smart casual style. Polo shirts are typically made from cotton or cotton blends, which are a very soft material on the skin and allow air to pass through your clothing. Opt for light-coloured polo shirts to reflect sunlight and minimise heat absorption. Chinos trousers are also typically made from cotton twill fabrics that offer breathability. Look for chinos with a looser fit or those that are made from lightweight or stretch materials, as they provide better ventilation and freedom of movement. 

If you’re still feeling too hot whilst wearing these types of clothes, consider rolling up the sleeves of your shirt and opting for a slightly shorter length of chinos (not too short!) to promote better airflow. Additionally, choose footwear that allows your feet to breathe, such as loafers or lightweight dress shoes.

Make it a Double Two Shirt

We recommend opting for shirts with lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton to reduce the chances of you overheating. As well as this, opt for light colours, such as white or a lighter blue, in order to minimise the amount of heat being absorbed through your clothes. Remember to choose accessories that will protect you from the sun, such as a hat or sunglasses and match them to your clothing for the ultimate summer style. However you choose to style for the summer, Double Two will always have a shirt which offers style and comfort.