A Typical Summer Outfit

Summer and summer holiday is approaching, and I wanted to share a few thoughts on a typical summer outfit of mine. Apparently, it appears to me, I have some sort of blueprint for dressing for warmer weather. And, unintentionally but not unsurprising, it’s really not that different form how I dress the rest of the year.

My summer/holiday blueprint the last few years has almost always been a variation over the same theme: Medium/medium-high waisted shorts, t-shirt or polo, overshirt or chore jacket and boat shoes or trainers. Shorts can be cotton or linen, t-shirt or polo can occasionally be a denim or linen shirt. Overshirt/chore is typically linen or cotton or a mix of the two.

Readers will observe that this doesn’t deviate much from what I wear most of the time anyway: A typical outfit for spring or early autumn would be much the same, except with jeans instead of shorts, a denim shirt instead of a tee and loafers instead of boat shoes. And come the colder months, the jeans will be swapped for flannels, the shirt for knitwear and the overshirt for a tweed jacket or similar.

As I write this, it occurs to me, that there perhaps is some sort of blueprint there, not just for each season or different kinds of weather, but across seasons and temperatures. Some sort of core, a core that is very much me. That seems kind of nice.

For summer, as well as in general, I find that I increasingly prioritize wearing something that makes me feel comfortable both physically as well as mentally. I want to wear something that feels like me, is comfortable but still fitted and also doesn’t stand out too much (just a little - we could call it the if-you-know-you-know factor). Also, what I wear on holiday must be children compatible and unfuzzy in general.

Looking back - with the help of Instagram - I can see that what I wear in summer haven’t changed fundamentally over the past few years. Still, minor changes and adjustments continually take place. I have particularly noticed, that I - compared to three or four years ago - increasingly choose t-shirts or polo shirts over regular shirts, even linen shirts.

Wearing a linen shirt can be wonderful in summer, but with the exception of scourching heat like we’re currently experiencing across Europe, I often feel a bit too dandy-ish wearing one in a Danish or Nordic setting. Also, wearing long sleeves under an overshirt or chore jacket can be a bit too much. Finally, for me, wearing a shirt is usually associated with work, and during summer holiday I don’t necessarily want that feeling, although a linen shirt does feel more casual.

So what is the deal with the overshirt or chore jacket? Is it really necessary and doesn’t it sometimes get to hot? Yes and yes. Being a dad, summer holiday currently is a lot of going to the playground, going for an icecream, going sightseeing, going to amusement parks et cetera. In that context, pockets are golden. An overshirt or chore offers just that. Layering also makes it easier to transition from morning to midday to evening in the summer. Finally, the outer layer provides some comfort for me - the physical as well as mental comfort I mentioned earlier.

In the photos, which are shot in our garden earlier this week, I am wearing a typical summer combo of mine: Cotton/linen chore jacket (Drake’s), cotton knit polo (Berg & Berg), cotton shorts (Rubato) and my beloved boat shoes from Paraboot. Belt is also Rubato. This is not what some might call resort wear, but something that I would wear in the city or on day trips, taking the kids to a playground, going for a walk or similar. I find that the colours khaki, white, dusty green and brown work very well together in a summer setting, being a bit subdued and understated.

Having some interchangeable garments makes it more - at least in theory - easy to travel a bit light on holiday, as I discussed in last month’s post. I could swap the khaki shorts for some navy ones and keep the rest, swap the polo for a grey, white or black tee, swap the chore jacket for a navy or brown linen overshirt or wear trainers (or loafers) instead of boat shoes. Most of these combinations would work I think. And, more importantly, bring me some enjoyment of wearing.

Oh, and I don’t really dress like this all the time on summer holiday. Not at all. This summer I expect, once again, that my almost worn-out Birkenstocks Arizonas and an old pair of army training shorts will be the garments that gets the most wear.

Enjoy your summer!