How to Wear a Suit in the Summer and Stay Cool

Staying smart in the heat can be a hard task, so we’ve got a list of tips and tricks to show you how to wear a suit in the summer and stay cool.

Unless you happen to have the luxury of working from home each day in a perfectly air conditioned room, then you’ll have inevitably endured an excruciatingly hot and stuffy commute on public transport at some point.

Despite the best intentions to stay as cool as possible, it’s more than likely you’ll wind up at your office looking like you’ve showered in your shirt and subsequently slept in it. However, for those who don’t have the option of wearing shorts to the office there are still a couple of things that can be done to make the task of wearing a suit less of a dread that it needs to be.

Get your ankles out

While a ‘slight break’ (aka a very subtle gather where your trouser hem meets your shoes) or a ‘half break’ (aka a slightly less subtle gather where your trouser hem meets your shoes) is the universally accepted trouser length for a business suit, during the summer a ‘no break’ will provide some much-needed ventilation giving your ankles a chance to breath. Try a pair of chop pants for some comfortable formality.

Drop the Non-Essentials

Recently we showed you how to go sockless during the summer, which is worth revisiting if you’re considering doing the same with your business suits this summer. Just remember this look works better with a more casual suit, plus you’ll need to invest in a few pairs of invisible socks to limit the chance of getting sweaty feet.

Ideally you’d lose the tie completely during the warmer months, but if your office dress code overlords insist you wear one then make sure it’s the last thing you put on once you’re in the office. A tight, buttoned up collar will only make your commute even more uncomfortable than it already is.

Let Go of the Lining

Granted this isn’t an option for everyone, but if you do happen to invest in a summer suit then look for one that’s either half-lined or unlined in a lightweight fabric such as cotton or linen as this will help to improve breathability and the likelihood of unsightly sweat patches.

If you pick a shirt made of a cheap material like polyester then you’re going to sweat buckets. These kinds of materials are made of man man fibres and aren’t breathable, meaning your skin doesn’t get a chance to cool off. Invest in a few cotton shirts, which will be more comfortable in the heat, and see the difference it makes.

How to Wear a Suit in the Summer and Stay Cool

Go for lightweight materials, you don’t want to be wearing a thick wool suit in the heat.
Get your ankles out – you’ll be surprised how much difference it makes.
Opt for a T-shirt underneath your blazer instead of a shirt for a smart-casual look.
Don’t put your tie on unless you absolutely have to, a loose collar will allow air to flow much better.

On That Note

However awkward it may be, sometimes you just can’t avoid having to wear a suit in the summer months. Although this is far from ideal, as we’ve shown you here, there are multiple ways of making it a more comfortable experience. It really isn’t the end of the world, and you can actually look pretty stylish. Make sure you stick to all the tips we’ve advised here and you’ll be looking fly and keeping cool in no time.

Feature image from Pinterest