Editorial
The Summer Dress Shirt
SURVIVING THE HOT WEATHER IN LONG SLEEVES
O
ne of the great things about dress shirts is that they are not seasonal: you can wear them all-year-round, so it’s always a good idea to invest in a nice, properly crafted shirt.
But of course, there are seasonal options that can help you feel comfortable and not too hot in your long sleeves and stiff collar when the hot weather hits.
Starting with fabrics, cotton and linen are definitely your best choice for the summer months. Cotton comes in many variations, from causal plain cotton to sophisticated weaves (see below) that can make your shirt look truly dapper. Fine and breathable, linen has been the traditional shirt fabric for centuries, although it tends to wrinkle very easily, so probably a cotton/linen blend is preferable if you need to keep your shirt neat all day.
As for weaves, things get more complicated and it is not always easy to tell one kind of weave from another, unless you are a fabric expert or an enthusiast. The basic rule is to take a close look at the shirt, feel it with your hands, and try to pick a lightweight, soft, breathable material. If you are looking for a formal shirt, you may try broadcloth or poplin, both very thin and minimal, and even pinpoint Oxford, which is slightly heavier, less transparent, and enriched with the classic “pinpoint” pattern, only visible from up close. Also very delicate and invisible from a distance is the pattern of end-on-end cloth, woven with a colored thread in the warp and a white thread in the weft.
Finally, colors a great way to give your outfit a ‘summery’ feel: besides the classic, sleek white shirt, explore the whole palette of pale greys, blues and pinks, and maybe add a a delicate pattern.
Finally, colors a great way to give your outfit a ‘summery’ feel: besides the classic, sleek white shirt, explore the whole palette of pale greys, blues and pinks, and maybe add a a delicate pattern.
