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15 Summer Style Essentials Every Man Should Own

More than a dozen style staples that are worth stocking up on now, when discounts abound.

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By Gear Patrol

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As with cooking, so with style. The better your ingredients, the better your dish. Flavoring and pairings give personality, context and place. A polo shirt with linen pants versus a denim shirt and jeans; steak frites versus chicken-fried steak. A hemp T-shirt with faded chinos compared to a graphic one overtop sweatshorts; pitting crudo up against fish sticks.

What Is an Essential?

The maxim of “buy better, buy less” applies here. Match good taste with smart purchasing, and the two will coalesce naturally over a period of years. And although your summer wardrobe may slightly change over those years, it remains rooted in classic basics that age well with years in the sun. As fans of vintage clothing, it’s hard not to imagine these pieces after a season under constant sunlight.

How to Shop for Essentials

Although there is much to love, there isn’t much to say about each of these selections. Simply put, these are bite-the-bullet-and-buy-it items — but some are surprisingly affordable. Covering most all of your bases, save for attire meant for special occasions, we present over a dozen style staples that are definitely worth the investment. There’s not much to think about, to be honest. They’re the core — the building blocks upon which a wardrobe is built.

This shirt features a midweight cotton knit that is certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard. Made in Vietnam, it has a slim fit and single chest pocket.

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Buck Mason’s relaxed-fit Carry-On Jacket — aka a blazer — is cut from lightweight stretch cotton (97-percent cotton, 3-percent spandex). Stretch let the designers ditch the back vent (and the excess fabric needed for one); patch pockets without flaps shed weight; and opting for no cuff buttons makes this option even more casual. Overall, it’s a winner worth wearing to every semi-formal summer event.

CARRY-ON JACKET | CARRY-ON PANTS

These Outerknown 16 wale corduroy shorts are good enough to wear year-round. Made of organic cotton, they’ve got an inseam length that runs just below the knee and a straight leg that keeps them tame. Grab a pair in one of six colors.

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The 1477s are plenty comfortable. Sure, they’re not quite a luxe accessory from some high-end designer, but they’ll do. The keyhole bridge sits gently on the nose, the arms wrap softly around the ear and they’re incredibly lightweight.

YESGLASSES REVIEW

Sometimes, you can spot a stretchy jean from city blocks away. They’re synthetic-looking, meaning they don’t bend, break or ruffle like regular jeans. Bonobos’ All Season Jeans, though, however stretchy they are, don’t look like spray-on, synthetic denim. They’re breathable, come in a bunch of believable washes and four fits, Slim Taper, Athletic, Slim and Tailored.

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Simple, monochrome and rubber, the Top Flip-Flops from Havaianas are par for the course. Available in four colors, these come with a textured underfoot to let those wet feet breathe, a logo-embossed strap and a denser sole at the heel. Take these to the pool or toss ‘em on when you go on a quick, lazy errand.

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The Montauk Swim Shorts are made from a mix of nylon and elastane, have an inseam of 5 inches, are finished with fine mesh liners and stay put because of the combination elastic and drawstring waist. Pick a plain, solid color like black — or a print Snyder calls psychedelic.

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This bag, made in the U.S. from windproof nylon ripstop, is sizable when open, but it can pack down into its own accessory pocket that hangs on the inside. The top closes with a drawcord, while the straps turn into a daisy chain on the side for attaching a water bottle or other add-ons. This way, when the bag is empty, you can stuff it into a jacket pocket or carry it by hand.

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Cut from heavyweight slub linen, a blend of 65 percent organic cotton and 35 percent linen that’s actually tougher than cotton alone, Taylor Stitch’s Morse Pants are workwear refined. Ultra-tough yet flattering and impressively pared back, you can wear these outdoors, in an industrial setting or to dinner — and seemingly everywhere in-between. A garment wash has given them incredible softness out of the box, but a triple stitched waistband, pair of hems, joining seams and more promise durability.

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Available with a 7 or 9 inch inseam, as well as 7 different colors, Flint and Tinder’s 365 Shorts are essentially chinos that cut off at the knee. They do, however, feel way lighter in the hips and seat. The shorts themselves are 8 ounces and made with 2 percent spandex.

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The two-strap opened-toe design is a signature of the Birkenstock line. Most common in Birkenstock’s ‘Birkibuc’ synthetic nubuck material, the design was first introduced in 1973 and has remained unchanged since.

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Texture helps a plain cap not look so… plain. Try corduroy, for example, which Satta uses instead of flat cotton for its standard baseball cap.

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Traditional Patagonia Baggies come in a 5- or 7-inch inseam. At 6 inches, Saturdays’ alternative sits right in the middle. That makes these versatile as both an everyday and adventure short. They’re fast to dry, and come with two slant pockets and one back bucket pocket.

PATAGONIA BAGGIE ALTERNATIVES

Not only does the fabric of Patagonia’s airy chinos weigh a mere 4.5 ounces, it’s also a 76/24 organic cotton/hemp blend that punches up its cooling power. The elasticated and drawstring waistband offers improved comfortability, but that does make them look more casual — at least at the waist. But, if you wear an untucked shirt no one is likely to see your cinched waist.

MORE LIGHTWEIGHT CHINOS

Everlane’s ultra-casual Linen Camp Shirt features two front pockets and a fairly open collar. It’ll wrinkle with wear, but don’t worry — it’ll look good still.

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