10 Summer Classics for Men
Friday, June 4th, 2010Originally published on The Huffington Post on 26 May 2010.
With Memorial Day weekend coming up, here are some summer style jump-starters for the men out there. After my 10 Summer Style Spiff Ups for Women, the response was loud and clear: make one for us men too! With the help of my bespoke-obsessed boyfriend, here are 10 classics – that easily go from town to country, or the beach – for the dapper gent and the sporty jock. I know they have a penchant for the preppy but many have updated, modern twists and what can I say… classic is classic: it works!
1. Lock & Co Straw Hat. Available at Lock & Co
Lock's website declares that the origins of today’s boater hats are the sailor’s hat issued to midshipmen in the Royal Navy near the end of the nineteenth century to provide protection from tropical sun. These hats were then adopted by children in Victorian England and became part of their uniforms wearing their school or house colors as bands. And did you know that Panama hats are made exclusively in Ecuador and are hand-woven from the Tequilla Palm? The origin of the black band on the hat dates back to 1901 when Queen Victoria died.
2. Wilson Six.One Tour BLX. Available at Wilson
As in: 6 - 1, game over! Ace ‘em just like R Fed with this classic Wilson frame with all the modern updates for immaculate accuracy, power and precision. Giant Roger Federer signed tennis ball not included. Photo Getty.
3. Brooks Brothers Social Primer Bow Tie. Available at Brooks Brothers
This bow tie is yet another innovative - and playful - take on a classic designed in collaboration with K. Cooper Ray and just in time for the Summer bow tie season. Using Brooks’ authentic fabrics, the collection features reversible styles that create not one, but many ways to wear the bow tie.
4. Sperry Top Siders. Available at Sperry
Sperry is celebrating 75 years of the ultimate low-fi lace-up for kicking around town or healing out during the regatta.
5. Flower in Lapel with Linen Pocket Square
Details, Details! So dapper and dignified is a summer blossom peeking out from a man's lapel that it sets the lady's heart a flutter. Add to that a crisp, colorful linen pocket square and all eyes will be on you! Bespoke suits (and many off the rack) are made with a small cut-out in the lapel with fasteners on the reverse side to keep the flower stem in place. Pocket square from Bergdorf Goodman. Photo Kate Schelter.
6. Laird Hamilton Stand Up Paddleboard. Available at REI, Surf Tech and Laird Hamilton
The new craze in surfing are these stand up paddleboards (and paddle) which are great for cruising lakes, rivers, creeks, or wave riding. Walk on water!
7. Murray’s Toggery Nantucket Reds. Available at Murray’s Toggery
The. Most. Classic. New England. Pant... Period! Now available in shorts too.
8. Argentinian Belts. Available at Arandu
Made popular by dark and handsome Argentinian polo players, and now in demand for the fly fishing set, these hand-woven leather belts are easy going with a nice pop of color. Thread them through your jeans, khakis and Nantucket Reds and you're golden.
9. Swatch Color Code Watches. Available at Swatch
Accessorize your rope bracelet with these monochromatic timepieces – sporty for summer. They come in matte and shiny in every color of the rainbow.
10. Smathers & Branson Flask. Available at Smathers & Branson
For those long breezy sails or late afternoon tee times.
