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Summer Wardrobe Advice

msulinski

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I have only recently discovered this forum and am looking for some help with assembling a summer wardrobe. I have a few polo shirts, but I am not sure what to do about shorts/shoes. I was going to go with some plain khaki, gray, or navy shorts (I assume black is as unacceptable in the shorts world as it is in the pants world). I am a bit at a loss as to what to do with shoes. I guess boat shoes would be an option, but I just don't think the style is for me. Any other recommendations? I would be wearing these without socks.

Also, are short-sleeve button-down shirts acceptable when paired with shorts or jeans?

Thanks
 

msulinski

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Did I post this in the wrong forum? If so, please let me know.

I just need help with a few basic questions:
1. Shoes (or sandals) that go well with khaki/navy/gray shorts
2. Are casual short-sleeve button-down shirts acceptable? Or should I stick with polo type shirts?
3. Are black shorts acceptable?

Thanks
 

tben

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Quote:
Did I post this in the wrong forum? If so, please let me know.

I just need help with a few basic questions:
1. Shoes (or sandals) that go well with khaki/navy/gray shorts
2. Are casual short-sleeve button-down shirts acceptable? Or should I stick with polo type shirts?
3. Are black shorts acceptable?

Thanks
I am not expert here, there are many, but I will try to be as helpful as possible.

1. A boat shoe or casual loafer should do the trick. There has been some complaints about Sperry here recently so I would check out Sebago. I personally have a pair of brown and a pair of navy boat shoes that I wear frequently throughout the summer. As far as the loafer, a calf-skin in a cognac color is a nice touch. Also, I am not sure how old you are, but I am relatively young and mix a couple of pairs of weejuns in every once in a while.
2. I personally despise short sleeve button-downs, I think it makes the wearer look like middle management. I prefer a long sleeve linen shirt, sometimes rolling up the sleeves.
3. Again, I am not a fan of black shorts. Mix in some nantucket red, green, or yellow, it won't attract the sun and it will make you stand out a little more than the other guy wearing the black or khaki dockers shorts.

Hope this is a good, basic start.
 

TM79

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Yeah, I tend to where linen pants over shorts.

For summer footwear I have some navy Rancourt mocs (on Brooks Brothers site now) and I also own a pair of Quoddy boat shoes.

I don't like Sperry too much. I used to have a pair of Sebago boat shoes but they were extremely stiff and caused blisters in the beginning.

I don't like short sleeved button down shirts, either. I'd rather wear a polo.
 

JesseJB

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Don't underestimate the power of well-fitting navy shorts.
 

hyt123

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Quote:
I am not expert here, there are many, but I will try to be as helpful as possible.

1. A boat shoe or casual loafer should do the trick. There has been some complaints about Sperry here recently so I would check out Sebago. I personally have a pair of brown and a pair of navy boat shoes that I wear frequently throughout the summer. As far as the loafer, a calf-skin in a cognac color is a nice touch. Also, I am not sure how old you are, but I am relatively young and mix a couple of pairs of weejuns in every once in a while.
2. I personally despise short sleeve button-downs, I think it makes the wearer look like middle management. I prefer a long sleeve linen shirt, sometimes rolling up the sleeves.
3. Again, I am not a fan of black shorts. Mix in some nantucket red, green, or yellow, it won't attract the sun and it will make you stand out a little more than the other guy wearing the black or khaki dockers shorts.

Hope this is a good, basic start.

This is simply an issue of body shape and shirt fit. If you're a balding pudge then a short sleeve button-down with your gut filling out the bottom, the shoulder seams halfway down your upper arms (I was going to say biceps, but, what biceps) and the sleeves somewhere past the elbows isn't going to look good. But if you are somewhere within a stone's throw of being in shape, and the shirt fits, then it's fine.

Agree w/ the black shorts, though.
 

Texastyle

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I also can't stand the look of short sleeve shirts. +1 for rolling the sleeves of a linen shirt.
 

Cant kill da Rooster

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I don't quite understand the hate on for short sleeve buttoned shirts. For work yes, but for a day outside casual wear or sitting at the pub, there is absolutley nothing wrong with it.
 
Last edited:

msulinski

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Thanks for the suggestions so far. In terms of the short-sleeve shirt, I am not talking about dress/work shirts here. This would definitely be a summery/casual type of shirt. I will probably just end up with some linen shirts with the sleeves rolled up.

I will just skip the black shorts.

Quote:
I am not expert here, there are many, but I will try to be as helpful as possible.

1. A boat shoe or casual loafer should do the trick. There has been some complaints about Sperry here recently so I would check out Sebago. I personally have a pair of brown and a pair of navy boat shoes that I wear frequently throughout the summer. As far as the loafer, a calf-skin in a cognac color is a nice touch. Also, I am not sure how old you are, but I am relatively young and mix a couple of pairs of weejuns in every once in a while.
2. I personally despise short sleeve button-downs, I think it makes the wearer look like middle management. I prefer a long sleeve linen shirt, sometimes rolling up the sleeves.
3. Again, I am not a fan of black shorts. Mix in some nantucket red, green, or yellow, it won't attract the sun and it will make you stand out a little more than the other guy wearing the black or khaki dockers shorts.

Hope this is a good, basic start.

I am 35 years old, so I suspect on the younger side of forum members. As for boat shoes, I just don't think I like them for me. So does a casual penny loafer look ok with shorts and no socks?
 

msulinski

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I agree with tben's response. With the caveat that I never wear shorts unless I'm at the beach or working out, and recommend that all other gentlemen do the same. In particular, definitely avoid black shorts.

So you don't wear a pair of khaki or navy shorts to a summer barbecue or something like that?
 

MacktasticGDogg

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I am 35 years old, so I suspect on the younger side of forum members. As for boat shoes, I just don't think I like them for me. So does a casual penny loafer look ok with shorts and no socks?


I think casual penny loafers with shorts and no socks works well. The aforementioned Rancourt penny loafers are very nice. Another footwear option would be some unlined suede plain toe bluchers. I have a pair of navy suede Alden PTB's that I enjoy wearing in the summer sockless with shorts.
 

duggyald

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Chinos or just navy shorts are great for summer and polos.
 

aizan

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black shorts are acceptable if they complement your coloring, and can be part of a great outfit. for example, add blue suede shoes of some sort (penny loafers, gucci loafers, bucks, etc.) and a pure white linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
 

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