Vacation-y Prepwear to Seas a Summer's Day In
Wherever you are on this side of the planet, chances are city folk recedes to the coasts when summer reaches its peak. But as Ralph Lauren's most recent campaign went to show, a real prep devotee's dedication to the bit doesn't just up and end while on vacation.
Now, admittedly, some of what we'd most commonly associate with a preppy wardrobe isn't always the easiest to wear in times of heat. Chunky cable knits and wool sport coats are dapper in any season, of course, but let's be realistic.
There has to be a middle between swim-trunks-as-pants and all-cropped-everything, so MR PORTER and our humble selves understood it to be a shared responsibility to curate a Hamptons-like prep-by-the-beach selection of sunny, staple-y, sophisticated menswear favorites.
Shirts
For the top section, the options are as simple as they are smart. Adding crochet-like texture to a polo, the playfully fringy jacquard on a button-up, or an exaggerated collar on a flowy long-sleeve can turn something basic into something with flattering, intentional edge.
This is how you dress for holidays without feeling either uncomfortable or over-styled, too boring or too showy. Interspersed with a maritime-casual air, these pieces are preppy still, stuffy no more.
NN07 Jacquard Shirt
The Elder Statesman Waffle-Knit Polo
Jil Sander Camp-Collar Shirt
Slacks
As for what to wear with the above, no beachy prep outfit'd be complete without a pleated pair of lightweight linen pants. For extra hot days, a muted draw string swim short (that camouflages as an actual short) is also allowed. And anyone missing that extra pinch of pizzaz will feel right at home in a more eclectic take on warm weather trousers, too.
Again, it's about channeling a sense of island gentleman that is temperature and leisure appropriate, without, however, reading as though it's trying too hard to be either of those things. There is, after all, always an effort in looking effortless. And that's not a bad thing.
Rick Owens Poplin Drawstring Shorts
Kapital Wide-Leg Studded Jeans
Loro Piana Linen & Silk-Blend Trousers
Soles
Depending on where you stand (literally, actually), the footwear is either the bedrock of a style or the bow that ties it all together. From either POV, the titular uniform requires once more to strike a balance between out-of-office and put-together.
Recent data went to show that rubber flip flops are all the rage, and how there's a general uptick in open-toe shoes. There's more to wearing non-sneakers than just letting the dogs out though, and it mustn't give off mere going-to-the-pool vibes. A Roman-esque sandal or a suede leather slide-in allow for a deluxe freeing of the tootsies. If you still prefer to keep 'em encased, nothing beats the nautical boat slipper.
J.M. Weston Leather Sandals
The Row Suede Slides
Brunello Cucinelli Boat Shoes
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