What should men wear in hot weather and still look smart?

Linen offers a relaxed texture and useful moisture handling, with wrinkles as part of the bargain. A cotton-linen blend is worth trying if pure linen feels too rumpled, but the blend percentage alone does not promise less creasing or better cooling. Lightweight cotton poplin gives a cleaner shirt line; seersucker has a deliberately puckered surface. For smarter trousers, consider lightweight, open-weave wool rather than winter flannel. Tropical wool means a cloth intended for warmer-weather tailoring, not a guarantee that any wool trouser will feel cool. Assess the finished garment, including lining, rather than trusting one fibre name. (Fabric background: Woolmark) (Linen background: Alliance)

Try the shirt buttoned and the trousers seated as well as standing. Buttons should not strain, pockets should lie reasonably flat and the cloth should not grip the thigh. A straight or gently tapered leg can look just as considered as a slim one. Avoid solving tightness by leaving every button undone or buying a shirt so long that it overwhelms the trousers. If you want an untucked shirt, choose a hem designed to look tidy that way.

Stone, ecru, pale blue, soft grey and muted olive feel visually lighter and can absorb less solar heat than very dark surfaces. Keep enough contrast for the outfit to remain legible: a pale-blue shirt with stone trousers and dark-brown shoes is calm but not washed out. Navy can remain as a lightweight evening or office layer.

Wear a pale-blue lightweight shirt tucked into mid-grey summer-weight trousers, with a simple belt if needed and brown leather loafers or Derbies. In a relaxed office, a fine cotton polo can replace the shirt; in a formal one, keep the shirt and the required jacket or tie. If a jacket is necessary, look for light cloth and less lining or internal structure. ‘Unstructured’ does not automatically mean cool: a heavy unlined jacket can still be too much. Carry the jacket on the commute when practical and put it on when the setting calls for it.

Try an ecru short-sleeved shirt with olive tailored shorts and clean, low-profile sneakers. The shirt should sit neatly around the waistband rather than hang almost as low as the shorts. Choose a short length and leg opening that let you sit comfortably; just above the knee is a starting point, not a universal measurement. Brown leather sandals are an option for a genuinely casual setting. If shorts feel wrong for the venue, swap in stone cotton-linen trousers without changing the rest.

A navy fine-gauge polo, ecru linen-blend trousers and brown suede loafers make a useful evening combination. Fine-gauge means a finer, lighter-looking knit; check the actual fabric weight before buying. A pale open-collar shirt is an alternative if a polo clings or feels too warm. Use full-length trousers for a smarter restaurant, keep the shoes clean and leave the jacket out unless it is expected. The contrast between dark top and pale trousers supplies the interest.

For a suit-required summer wedding, choose a lightweight navy or mid-grey suit, a pale shirt and polished leather shoes; wear a tie when the invitation calls for one. A linen suit can be lovely for a more relaxed daytime event, but neither heat nor an outdoor venue cancels a formal dress code. Check with the hosts if it is unclear. Do not assume loafers, shorts or an open collar will suit every wedding. Plan shade and breaks around the ceremony rather than expecting a different fabric to solve prolonged heat exposure.

For a humid commute, favour clothes that sit away from the body and can be cared for often. A lightweight undershirt may help with visible sweat for some wearers, but it adds another layer: try the full combination before relying on it for a long day. No pale shirt stays magically fresh in every condition. Check transparency in daylight, including when the cloth touches the skin, and consider a spare shirt for an important event after travel. Use low-cut socks if you want an exposed-ankle look with loafers; bare feet are not a requirement.

Press or steam as the care label permits, then allow the fabric to look worn during the day. Soft creases at the lap and elbows are different from strained buttons, a crushed collar or trousers dragging on the ground. Those small finishing points make more difference than chasing a wrinkle-free linen outfit. Washable summer pieces still need their own care instructions; a tailored jacket and a casual linen shirt may require very different treatment.

A heavyweight tee under an open shirt adds bulk when one good shirt would do. Very skinny stretch chinos may look neat standing still but give little room through the leg. A fully lined blazer worn only to ‘smart things up’ can be unnecessary when a collar, well-fitting trousers and cared-for shoes already meet the occasion. Keep the layer that does a real job; remove the one that is only there from habit.

Clothes cannot make dangerous heat safe. Follow local heat advice, seek cooler spaces, drink water and reduce unnecessary outdoor exertion. Do not treat an airy or see-through weave as proof of UV protection: consider protective clothing, a suitable hat, sunglasses and sunscreen when outdoors. In strong sun, the most open cloth is not automatically the most sensible choice. Health needs and conditions take priority over the outfit. (Heat guidance: Healthdirect) (UV guidance: Cancer Council)