Summertime Wear: History and Fashions

The ancient Italians used to refer to summer as "dies caniculares", which means "days of the dog".

They used this name because the star Sirius was known in Roman times to represent the hunting-dog of the hunter Orion, and during the summer months, Sirius becomes clearly visible in the night-sky. 

This ancient expression is the origin of our modern phrase: "the dog days of summer".

Summer is the favorite time of year for many people, and it's not always hard to see why! From beach vacations, to the warm, sunny weather, to the cookouts and family reunions: summer can be a great time to get outdoors!

Summer's great for fashion too. The light fabrics and bright colors that go with summer fashion mean its one of the best times to try out new looks, and summer outfits tend to have a unique vibe all to themselves.

Summer Comfort

When it comes to summer outfits, first thing's first: comfort, and when it comes to comfort, few things mean more than fabric material.

Breezy, light-weight types of outfits can be a great way to introduce new styles to people who aren't normally interested in more intricate styles or fashion!

Cotton is one of the best fabrics to wear during the summer. Its light, breathable, and doesn't restrict movement. Cotton is also relatively cheap compared to other lightweight summer fabrics, like chambray or rayon.

Linen and cotton are often paired together in many affordable and comfortable summer outfits, like this designer walking suit. 

Perfect for looking stylish during those leisurely summer promenades!

Cotton fabrics can also soak up a lot of sweat, which can be particularly useful when you're out having fun in the sun.

Be careful though, because sweating too much in a cotton outfit will make it very damp and uncomfortable, thanks to the fabric's absorbing qualities. Just something to keep in mind.

Summer Colors

Color is one of the most important things to remember when crafting your summer outfit.

Summer colors are usually like the summer months themselves: warm, welcoming, fun, and vibrant.

Some looks and designs just scream "summer".

Striped design-motifs are a good example of this, and they are an ever-popular theme with many more vintage summer outfits.

Striped designs became popular at many American beaches in the late 19th century, and were originally part of the designs of the outfits worn by British and American sailors and naval officers.

Striped outfits were very popular at American beaches for many years up until the 1980's or so.

Striped outfits are well known for their ability to make a person's body look either slimmer or wider, depending on the direction of the lines of their design.

Vertical lines can provide a slimming effect, which can also make their wearer look taller, while horizontal lines are great for creating an appearance of width or breadth, and can make their wearer appear shorter and stockier.

Be careful when creating your perfect striped summer outfit, and make sure to choose the right design that suits your build and body type!

Summer Accessorizing

Effective accessorizing can make or break any summer outfit, and unfortunately, many men can find fashionable accessorizing to be particularly difficult.

Shoes are an important part of any outfit, so it makes sense that they would be essential to summer fashion as well. One thing to consider during the summer however, is shoe material.

Higher quality shoes tend to use better build materials, like leather, but a pure leather shoe can be a lot hotter than a non-leather one. 

Shoes with less leather are better, more comfortable alternatives during very hot weather, like these designer slip on loafers.

Hats have the great benefit of being stylish and practical at the same time, since they can compliment or complete an outfit but also offer some protection against the elements.

Hats are also versatile, since they can either be dressed up or worn outdoors.

Skin protection is another important thing to consider during the summer, and especially during trips to the beach.

Try a light colored, easy fitting hat to keep your skin as healthy as possible.

Hats can be hard to style well, but many men swear by them, and a good hat is one of the easiest and most effective ways to really put your own signature on an outfit.