The Best Suits for Spring/Summer
From graduations to garden parties, these five suits will see you through every occasion this season in style.
As temperatures rise and days grow longer, the season of conviviality commences. Spring and summer perennially play host to some of the year’s biggest events, which naturally call for a certain standard of attire.
From weddings and graduations to garden parties and more, there’s always something worth dressing up for. And day to day, smart, seasonally appropriate tailoring is just as essential for the office and important meetings.
With over seven decades of sartorial experience behind us and a world-class selection of tailored clothing to choose from, we’ve highlighted some of the season’s standout occasions with a suit to match — along with some advice on how to style them, too.
Summer is wedding season, and you’ll need a suit to keep you feeling cool while temperatures are warm.
Whether you’re a guest or groomsman, your role is to sit pretty during the ceremony and tear up the dance floor during the reception, so breathability is imperative. Opt for lightweight fabrics like silk, cotton, or linen blends to help regulate your temperature throughout the day.
And don’t forget, what’s beneath the fabric makes a difference too. While fully canvassed suits and padded shoulders offer structure and formality, they’re also heavier and less breathable. An unstructured jacket — with minimal canvassing and padding — keeps things light without sacrificing polish.
An unstructured jacket makes a world of difference in keeping you cool and comfortable in warm weather without sacrificing the stature of a suit — your summer wedding secret weapon.
A dress shirt made from a light, breathable material like linen is ideal, and while we always recommend adding a tie to the party, an open collar is more comfortable in particularly high heats. Just a button or two will do — any more and you begin to venture into beach wedding territory.
Finish the look with a suede or calfskin loafer, which has a comparatively lower vamp than a lace-up, encouraging more airflow to your feet — ideal for hot-steppers on the dance floor.
Attending a graduation for someone close — or better yet, your own? The years of hard work behind earning a degree or certification deserve to be honoured, and wearing a suit is the best way to reflect the occasion.
Even though large convocation halls and auditoriums can be notoriously over-air conditioned, packing a large number of people together always raises temperatures, and if you’re the graduate himself, you need to factor in a heavy gown and cap as well. Then come photo ops and perhaps a celebratory glass of bubbles or two outside, where temperatures can feel higher.
A mid-weight, high-twist wool is a great option for coping with varying temperatures. Made from tightly twisted yarns, it’s breathable, wrinkle-resistant, and durable, with an open weave that promotes airflow while maintaining an elegant drape—making it a reliable four-season option.
As for colours, navy or grey are fail-safes, but if you want to push the boat out a little, a statement colour like a pastel pink or sky blue will catch eyes and speak to the vibrancy of the occasion itself.
Remember, there's always an alleyway to introduce personality through a subtly patterned shirt or tie, whether striped or softly printed. It is a celebration, after all.
Patterns are best used sparingly. Stick to two or fewer, and vary their scale, size, and colour to avoid visual clutter.
In our opinion, a suit should be one of the first things you pack. Between date nights,dinner reservations, live performances — and yes, even plane travel — there are plenty of opportunities to wear one on vacation.
Like everything else in your suitcase, versatility is key. Prioritizing interchangeable pieces helps you get more wear out of each item. And, with carry-on dimensions shrinking and checked bags climbing in cost, the versatility of your travel wardrobe has never been more important.
A solid beige, cream, or navy suit will work with almost anything you pack. Keep it simple, and opt for a fabric that can be worn as separates to maximize versatility.
Twill and high-twist wool, with their matte finish, lend themselves well to breaking up — but nothing says “I’m on vacation” quite like linen. A linen-cotton, linen-silk, or 100% linen composition will breathe well, feel light, and slowly start to wrinkle in the irresistibly insouciant way only linen can — and, more pertinently, can be worn together or separately.
Pair it with casual short-sleeve shirts, knit polos, T-shirts — or even a tank in the right setting — for an easy, laid-back look.
On your feet, suede loafers or white-soled slip-ons complete the off-duty feel. And yes, the right pair of sandals — think chunky slides, mules, or fisherman styles — can work here, too.
Accessories are central to any outfit, and especially while on vacation. Sunglasses, headwear, bracelets, and neckerchiefs can be both stylish and practical, and can all be worn with a casual suit.
“Garden party” is a trending theme we’re seeing more and more — but what does it actually mean?
At its core, a garden party is an outdoor event, typically held in a private backyard or garden setting. Think engagement parties, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, or larger family gatherings.
The dress code usually calls for formal or semi-formal attire with an outdoor sensibility.
A lightweight, breathable suit — ideally in a lighter or brighter colour — adds a relaxed, playful touch while complementing the surrounding florals and greenery.
Underneath, a linen or linen-blend shirt paired with a silk knit tie keeps things cool without sacrificing the suit-and-tie look.
A neutral underpinning, like a classic white or ice blue dress shirt, lays the perfect foundation for a statement suit to shine.
You don’t need a special occasion to wear a suit. Gallery openings, dinner dates, networking events, or even cocktail hour during patio season are all great excuses to opt for a more casual take on tailoring.
Once again, wearing lightweight, breathable fabrics will keep you the most comfortable, though also underscoring the relaxed feel. Cotton, linen, silk, and seersucker strike the right balance between seasonal practicality and off-duty ease.
Wear an open-collar casual shirt or an elevated knit (like a T-shirt or polo) to further dial down the formality. On feet, opt for sophisticated sneakers, white-sole slip-ons, or unlined loafers to complete the look.
Your signature timepiece and sunglasses complete the look, the perfect balance of elegance and effortlessness. Relaxed, rakish, refined.
Looking for a new warm-weather suit, or perhaps some suggestions on how best to pack one into your suitcase? Our team of expert Style Advisors are always ready to assist you in-store or online.
