Putting together the perfect warm-weather wardrobe can be a minefield. For men of a certain age with busy careers and little or no time for fashion it's even trickier.In the summer, many wives and girlfriends find themselves sighing as garments bought years ago make unwanted appearances on the beach. And it's understandable. Looking suitable for a sun-drenched break is difficult especially if, like David Cameron who recently holidayed in Ibiza, your other half is renowned for her sartorial savvy.
The PM opted for a safe combination of dark blue polo shirt, dark jeans and black leather shoes. In the beautiful Spanish climate, he could have afforded to be more adventurous. To help banish men's wardobe woes, fashion expert David Light, from designer clothing chain Tessuti, has some handy hints. Follow these to make a splash in the sun. For the beach: A T-shirt in a relaxed fit, made of good quality fabric and worn with trunks is a great beach cover-up. Go for plain (round) crew necks over the V-neck, which risks showing too much chest - only good if you have a body like Becks. Armani offer a wide selection.A polo shirt is an equally appropriate alternative. Top tip: Choose neutral shades such as light grey, white, light blue or dusky pink. Dark colours are dull, whilst colours that are too bright are unnecessarily eye-catching. Striped versions of this holiday essential are also warm-weather worthy. Ralph Lauren offers the perfect polo classic, whilst Lacoste’s understated versions are one of the original and best.
Linen shirts are also another good option. CP Company offers good quality linen-mix shirts that will keep you cool in the heat. Swimming trunks should be loose-fitting - Speedos are a no-no at any age - and reach to the knee. This black pair from Emporio Armani are the perfect example of understated cool. For comfort and style rolled into one, a pair of chino shorts are bang on-trend and hot-weather friendly. This midnight blue Ralph Lauren pair are perfect for strolling along the beach. In terms of footwear, keep it simple. The less fancy, the better. Stick to simple flip-flops, à la Paul Smith, or no-fuss tan or black leather sandals like this Camper pair (pictured). For the evening: Nights out call for a dressier look. And this season is all about the well-cut short-sleeve shirt, which should skim rather than hug the body. It adds the perfect amount of 'smart' into a casual holiday outfit. Our favourite is this roomy light-blue version from CP Company.Flip-flops will not suffice for an aperitivo on a terrace. And steer clear of trainers, which won’t do for a night on the tiles.
Which is where the boat shoe comes in. Casual without verging on scruffy, this brown Sebago 'dockslide' is the ultimate boat shoe. Available online at Sebago for $150. No warm-weather wardrobe is complete without a lightweight linen shirt like this crisp indigo style from Nicole Farhi (pictured), priced at £145. Roll up the sleeves for a more relaxed look.
And combine with a failsafe pair of chinos for ultimate holiday chic. Dubbed the holiday trouser, they will inject a dose style into your summer wardrobe. Like this sharp Polo Ralph Lauren pair (pictured), in this season’s tobacco shade.