This is an example of a summer outfit that works for a more casual work environment and also for smarter social situations. The fabrics, being linen and cotton, are naturally summery and this is reinforced by the colours which are light.

The jacket is pure linen with a herringbone weave. This gives it a lot of surface texture and means that it crumples over time. It’s a mid-weight fabric (around 12-13oz) so there is enough body for it to drape reasonably well and tailor nicely. The styling points also contribute to the casual look: limited shoulder padding and roping; 3 patch pockets and; a single button on the cuffs. The fit is reasonably slim, but with some chest drape. There isn’t much tightness when it’s buttoned up.

We’ve paired it with olive green tailored cotton trousers. These have a slightly higher-than-usual rise, a flat front and turn-ups. The cut is slim but not skinny. They have side adjusters rather than belt loops which gives a cleaner look. With these types of outfits, there is room for some imperfections in the fit as we are trying to look casual and unpretentious.

The shirt is plain white which is a neutral base for the more unusual colours of cream and green. It’s a one-piece collar shirt which helps the collar stay upright and not collapse under the jacket collar. These shirts are designed to not be worn with ties so they are obviously at the more informal end of the scale, which harmonises with this outfit choice.

There is also a pocket square which picks up the white and green colours to add a bit of visual interest. If you aren’t wearing too many colours then you can get away with the addition of a square and it won’t look too much.

The other style point is the loafers with no socks. You definitely wouldn’t want to try this if you were in any way attending a formal event, but it works well when the weather is especially hot.