Warm weather dressing for the city doesn’t have to mean style sacrifice. If you’re a man over 40, navigating that fine line between polished and overly trend-chasing can be a daily challenge. But the trick? Invest in great shirts—and know how to wear them.
Here are four looks I’ve been wearing on rotation—each rooted in premium pieces that keep you cool in the heat while holding their own in creative or smart office settings.
A crisp camp-collar shirt is your best friend when the heat hits. This one from Reiss has a light structure that sits nicely without clinging, especially when worn open-necked. Paired with tailored Margiela trousers and minimalist slip-ons from Bottega Veneta, it’s equal parts fashion-forward and grown-up. The Burberry cap adds a graphic edge that keeps the vibe without veering into costume.
Shop now alternative:
Orlebar Brown Maitan Camp-Collar Linen Shirt £295
Look 2: Casual Friday, Upgraded
Polo T-shirt: Sandro | Cap: Ralph Lauren | Trousers: Sandro | Trainers: Casablanca x New Balance
The humble polo gets a serious glow-up in this pairing. Crisp and clean, this Sandro number fits neatly without shouting. The soft neutral tones keep it classic, while the Casablanca x New Balance trainers inject just enough heat to say “I know what I’m doing.” It’s an ideal look for dress-down days in more relaxed office cultures—or weekend gallery runs.
Shop now alternative:
Sunspel Riviera Polo Shirt £138
Look 3: Slim and Italian Shirt: Sandro | Jeans: Vintage Helmut Lang | Shoes: Mr P. This one’s for the purists. A khaki overshirt worn open or buttoned up recalls classic Italian menswear. The white Helmut Lang jeans are from the 90s—a reminder that while wide cuts dominate right now, slim jeans will always look great if you wear them right. They’re still central to the Hedi boy aesthetic and, if you want proof that it works on the older man, look no further than @alessandrosquarzi on Instagram. He’s a masterclass in grown-up swagger.
Shop now alternative:
Drake’s Cotton-Linen Popover Shirt £279 Look 4: The Office-Ready Minimalist Shirt: COS | Trousers: Helmut Lang | Sneakers: Common Projects This is pure quiet luxury. A clean white short-sleeve shirt from COS meets relaxed tailored trousers and the evergreen Common Projects Achilles Low. Ideal for more formal summer meetings when you want polish without overheating.
Welcome to The Edit — my weekly curation of things that have caught my eye across fashion, design, and culture. Think of it as your visual digest for stylish living: a blend of timeless menswear, tactile objects, and understated design cues — all with that essential grown-man edge.
1. LOEWE Rio Slipper in Suede and Raffia
Resort energy in shoe form — the kind of loafer that pairs as well with tailored trousers as it does with relaxed linen. The woven raffia base gives it texture, while the soft suede upper keeps things elegant.
2. Jacques Marie Mage Sunglasses (Model: Zephirin)
Big character energy. These are not quiet frames — they’re architectural, deliberate, and timeless. A future heirloom for your face.
3. MHL. Overall Shirt in Washed Mineral Blue
Sits somewhere between utilitarian and artistic. Boxy, breathable, and just offbeat enough to feel like a gallery-piece shirt you could wear anywhere.
4. Dries Van Noten Camp Collar Embroidered Dégradé Shirt
Light-catching embroidery and a slow fade of colour. This is a summer dinner shirt for the design lover. Quietly flamboyant — if you know, you know.
5. Sandro Two-Tone Polo Shirt
A fresh spin on a classic. Slightly retro, slightly Parisian, and totally wearable. Wear it under a Harrington or with pleated trousers and loafers.
6. A.P.C. Journal Small Canvas Messenger
A minimal essential for city days. Feels like the grown-up version of a tote — rugged canvas, no fuss, just enough logo.
7. REISS Cantwell Tapered-Leg Trousers
Soft structure with modern ease. A strong base for summer styling — especially with an open shirt and minimal sneakers.
8. Burberry x Highgrove Cotton Harrington Jacket
Heritage and modern craft collide in this limited piece. Light, structured, and quietly royal — a perfect layer to throw over a tee or polo.
9. Skyline Chess – London Brutalist Edition
Function meets form. Each piece is a sculptural miniature of brutalist London — the perfect object for the coffee table, or just a good excuse to slow down.
10. Bang & Olufsen BeoSound A5 in Nordic Weave
Design-forward sound with a handle. The BeoSound A5 looks like a Nordic picnic basket but plays like a gallery-grade audio system.
Burberry’s new collection—crafted in collaboration with Highgrove Gardens and fashion illustrator Helen Bullock—brings British menswear into the wild.
Signature silhouettes like the Castleford trench and zip bomber keep things classic on the outside, while Bullock’s hand-painted florals add a burst of colour within.
Key pieces:
Gabardine bucket hat in soft sand
Silk scarf featuring Highgrove’s iconic fountain
Printed shirt—a wearable artwork by Bullock
Heritage meets bold expression. Masculine, botanical, and rooted in craftsmanship.
Proceeds support The King’s Foundation—style with purpose
